Indonesia's Republic Conference on Sunday to Focus on 3 Agendas

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As many as 300 people from across Indonesian civil society—including academics, activists, religious scholars, and students—have registered to attend the National Consolidation of the Republic Conference (Konferensi Republik) in Jakarta on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Mandira Bienna Elmir, chair of the Indonesian Youth Forum and one of the participants, said the forum is open to anyone concerned about the country's current condition.

"It will be open. Around 300 people have registered so far," Mandira told Tempo on Saturday, June 27.

She described the conference as a platform for people who share similar concerns about Indonesia's future.

"Fundamentally, this is a forum built on shared concerns. Through the Republic Conference, civil society can support one another. If a broader platform for cooperation is needed, that can become part of the discussion," she said.

Mandira added that she had not received confirmation on whether student executive bodies (BEM) would participate following the recent wave of campus protests. However, she emphasized that the forum is open to everyone.

"Technically, everyone is invited because civil society is not limited to any particular group," she said.

What Will the Conference Discuss?

The coalition of civil society organizations behind the Republic Conference will hold the national consolidation, titled Reorganizing the Republic's Path, at the University of Indonesia's Salemba campus in Central Jakarta on Sunday morning.

Secretary General of the Republic Conference Committee Yanuar Nugroho said the meeting differs from previous Republic Conference events held in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and other cities.

"Tomorrow's consolidation will discuss and seek agreement on three main agendas," Yanuar said on Saturday.

The first agenda is to establish the movement's foundation, including its values, objectives, and long-term direction.

The second is to determine its organizational structure, network, and operating mechanisms.

The third agenda, Yanuar said, will focus on leadership, as civil society networks still need people willing to work both publicly and behind the scenes to ensure effective communication and coordination without monopolizing the movement.

According to him, the conference is intended to connect—not merge—autonomous civil society organizations that share similar concerns.

"The Republic Conference does not dissolve existing organizations. Instead, it connects them so they can coordinate, support one another, strengthen the movement, and share agendas," he said.

Yanuar also stressed that student movements remain welcome to join the initiative. He noted that several students have already participated in the conference in their personal capacities, even if they do not formally represent their student executive bodies.

Why Is the Republic Conference Being Held?

Sunday's national consolidation follows the first Republic Conference, held at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta on May 30, 2026, which brought together hundreds of civil society organizations, activists, and academics.

Participants concluded that Indonesia is facing multiple crises across different sectors of public life. They also argued that democratic institutions have increasingly failed to fulfill their representative and oversight functions despite continuing to operate formally.

According to the conference organizers, the challenges facing Indonesia have become cross-sectoral and now affect the relationship between citizens and the state.

Daniel A. Fajri contributed to the writing of this article.

Read: Civil Groups to Hold National Consolidation in Jakarta, What Is It About?

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