Bandung, 8 April 2025 – The Parahyangan Center for European Studies (PACES) and Parahyangan Center for International Studies (PACIS) in collaboration with the Faculty of Sociology and Law at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) Ukraine held a joint seminar addressing the challenges of state rebuilding, democracy consolidation, and economic development faced by Indonesia and Ukraine amid global geopolitical tensions. The seminar was opened by HE Bapak Arief Muhamad Basalamah, Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries.
Some key insights were delivered by several speakers representing both institutions. Representing PACES UNPAR, Dr. Mangadar Situmorang presented on “Indonesia Democracy: Longing for a Functioning yet Democratic Government.” He outlined four phases of Indonesia’s democratic journey: Liberal Democracy (1945–1959), Guided Democracy (1959–1966), Democracy of Pancasila under an Authoritarian Regime (1966–1998), and the Reformasi period (1998–2025). Post-1998, he noted a transformation period (1998–2004), followed by a consolidation or “U-turn” phase, and since 2014, a “Bell-turn” era marked by democratic decline, which he argued continues today.
Dr. Mangadar identified four pressing challenges to Indonesia’s democratization: the rise of autocratic legalism undermining the rule of law; volatile coalitions and corrupt, cartel-like political parties eroding civilian supremacy; socioeconomic issues such as low growth, inequality, structural weakness, and dependence on foreign investment and trade; and populist tendencies coupled with corruption that weaken effective governance. He stressed the need for a strong government that not only functions effectively but also upholds democratic principles, ensuring that democratic institutions remain resilient against these challenges.
Dr. Albertus Irawan JH, Director of PACES UNPAR, emphasized the importance of strengthening academic collaboration between Indonesia and Ukraine to tackle shared challenges in governance and development. In his presentation, “The Developmental State: The Conception and Indonesia,” he argued for adopting a developmental state approach as Indonesia pursues its Indonesia Emas 2045 vision to become a developed, industrialized nation. He noted current economic pressures, including a sharp decline in financial market performance, widespread layoffs, the persistent middle-income trap since 2014, currency depreciation, and external challenges such as reciprocal tariffs from the United States.
Prof. Dr. Pavlo Fedorchenko-Kutuyev, Chair of the Sociology Department at KPI, discussed Ukraine’s complex Soviet legacy, marked by an ineffective, corrupt bureaucracy alongside unregulated markets and a missing link between state and economy. He outlined the country’s ongoing challenges, including the geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the EU, territorial losses, and severe infrastructure destruction. While EU support and labor migration have contributed to growth, Ukraine remains under intense pressure to defend its sovereignty, liberty, and freedom. He emphasized that the current war serves as a powerful catalyst for change, innovation, and reform urging Ukrainians to remain resilient, adaptable, and forward-looking in shaping their nation’s future.
The seminar aimed to deepen educational and scientific cooperation between Parahyangan Catholic University and KPI, supported by the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv to strengthen diplomatic relations and collaborative efforts.
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