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The last visit of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Bali has marked an important momentum to the growth of democracy in the country. He inaugurated the newly formed Indstute for Peace and Democracy at the Widya Saba Hall of Udayana University in Bukit Jimbaran.  The institute was designed to become a cebter for development of democracy in Indonesia as well as to contribute to efforts on promoting pace and democracy in Asia beyond, which will indirectly affect worldwide popularity of Bali.

The President said that in addition to well known as the island of the gods, the paradise island, and the best tourism destination, Bali will also be known as the island of peace and democracy. “Calmness and peacefulness of Bali which reflect the magnificent cultural heritage which the whole world has been proud of definitely deserve the new title,” said the President.

Inauguration of the Institute for Peace and Democracy at Udyana University was inherently related to Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) being held at Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua, Bali. BDF is a dialoue forum where involved countries share their experience and vision to promote peace and democracy worldwide. President consider both event as an excellent starting point where Bali was chosen to become the starting point in achieving noble missions in the region. In the future, regular international event will be introduced to discuss various international issues for common benefit. “If Europe has annual World Economic Forum, why Bali does not have annual World Cultural Forum?” said the President who also expected the newly inaugurated Institute for Pease and Democracy in Bali will bring benefit to the nation as well as the whole world.

President Yudhoyono truly expected that the Institute for Pease and Democracy to become an intelectual center with capability to bring significant contribution to peace and democracy in the region as well as the whole world. The institute will aslo serve as implemeting agency for Bali Democracy Forum (BDF). Ideas elaboreted in BDF will be follwed up by the Institute for Pease and Democracy maintaining continious communication with the government of Asia-Pacific countries.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika expressed his gratitude to President Yudhoyono for trusting Bali – Udayana University in particular – to host the Institure for Peace and Democracy. Social phylosophy implemented by Balinese in their daily living promotes peaceful harmony and democracy through the traditional concept of Tri Kita Karana. The concept promotes harmonious relationship with the gods, with other human beings, and with the environment. “I hoe Bali can serve as a live laboratory of the Peace and Democracy Institute in improving and maintaining peace and democracy in Indonesia and the whole world,” said the Governor.

Rector of Udayana Unoversity Prof. Dr. dr. I Made Bakta, Sp.PD said that Institute for Peace and Democracy has been established in cooperation between Udayana University and Indoensian Ministry for Foreign Affair as a chamber for experience sharing in clocluding best practices in implementation of democracy among countries which have or intend to implement it. Ideas elaborated by Bali Democracy Forum will be followed up by the institute through dialogs, seminars, workshops, meetings, and various other relevant activities. Operation will be run by a professional management team consisting of academicians and practitioners from Udayana University and other universities in Indonesia as well as representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affair.