Following the fall of President Suharto in 1998, Indonesia entered a significant historical stage. The Reform Era brought Indonesia a more democratic government as evident from the general election of the legislative members of parliament and the executive branch. The national election was more direct, free and open. Prolonged authoritarianism, which had accumulated immense problems, was responded to with far reaching reform efforts. Not only have these efforts covered political, economic, socio-cultural and security aspects, but they have also revamped the Indonesian legal system. For the first time the country witnessed various amendments to its legal areas including government laws and regulations, as well as more substantial amendments to its Constitution. Consequently, the spirit of change continues to roll and hopefully it will gradually lead toward further improvements to the quality of life we all live, a more responsive government and least we forget what democracy requires our participation and direction of that government.

Undeniably however, amid the optimism of a better Indonesia, we have been facing huge challenges. A series of tragic events have occurred. To name a few: the mass riot in May of 1998, the Bali bombing in 2002, the Marriot Hotel bombing in 2003, the Kuningan bombing in front of the Australian Embassy in 2004 plus other violent religious conflicts such as those that occurred in Ambon (Maluku), Sampit, Sambas (Kalimantan), and Poso (Sulawesi). In addition, Indonesia had been plunged into a dark history in regards to a string of atrocities taking place in Papua and Aceh.

As our country has been reeling from bitter human centered conflicts, it has also incurred significant trauma and suffering from a series of enormous natural disasters which have struck over the last several years. Indonesia has had to endure a series of major earthquakes, landslides, floods, forest fires and tsunamis. These natural disasters have pummeled the country resulting in a massive loss of life and property. Indonesia’s population, at over 220 million, has been turned into a “huge crowd” of people who have proved seemingly helpless to cope with these large scale difficulties.

These events are the primary reason to publish the 2nd edition of Indonesia's Peace- Building Directory. We have become fully aware that the Indonesian populace must self mobilize and transform their existence into an effective social force in search of solutions. The Indonesians must stand-up together in various groupings with clear visions and missions. All these groupings, despite assuming different tasks to achieve noble goals must coalesce, around democracy, generating a synergy that results in a just and peaceful Indonesia, free from human right atrocities and able to respond to natural disasters quickly, effectively and resiliently.

The 1st edition of the Indonesian Peace-Building Directory contained the names, addresses and programs of 465 non-government organizations (NGOs) as well as government agencies (GAs). While the 2nd edition has tried to track the existence of these non-government and government organizations. NGOs and GAs have been updated and re-registered to make sure that they exist and are in operation. From such an exhaustive effort, as many as 301 organizations have been verified comprising 273 civil society organizations, 20 donor agencies and international institutions, plus 8 training providers.

Of what use is this long list of organizations and institutions brought together in this book? As we are aware that this nation faces huge challenges, we are also certain that needs, initiatives, endeavors, and collective leadership are accessible. We desperately require a productive synergy of different forces existing in our nationwide community. Therefore, we must forge much closer cooperation to create a vast network among government officials, community members and the business sector. By doing so, we can come up with new breakthroughs to overcome the existing problems. We need many individuals and numerous institutions who can “do much talking and much working” to promote togetherness, grow awareness, and turn ideas into reality to save the nation.

I certainly hope this directory will help create a real network to eventually drive a major impetus that is going to directly benefit the people who are facing more and more miseries.

Jakarta, 5 March 2007