Strategic Partnership Meeting of CSOs at the Dutch Embassy, Jakarta
Indonesia - 06 August, 2018
Tropenbos Indonesia represented by Dr. Edi Purwanto, Director, and Irene Koesoetjahjo, Communication Officer, participated in “Strategic Partnership Meeting” held at the Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta, on 23 July 2018. Various Indonesian CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) which are in partnership with Dutch organizations in several projects and alliances in Indonesia attended the meeting. Ferdinand Lahnstein, Minister Plenipotentiary/Charge d’affairs of the Embassy opened the meeting and Joost Nuijten, Deputy Head of Economic Affairs delivered a presentation on the new policy note issued by the Dutch Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his presentation, Joost mentioned that the government of the Netherlands acknowledges the importance of strategic partnership with CSOs as it will improve the quality and effectiveness of the policy issued. And he said that for the time being, the Netherlands government intends to continue the partnership as the form of support for CSOs and at the same time the Dutch organizations will play a different role, giving more focus on innovation, communication, and lobbying at international level.
Several issues which become focus on the new policy note, according to Joost, among others are investing in global prospect that refers to the principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as conflict prevention, reduction of poverty and inequality, sustainable and investment growth and climate action. Meanwhile, focus on trade and investment will be given especially to SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) and startups, and innovation and knowledge diplomacy. Another focus which is no less important is gender equality and women empowerment including in decision making and leadership, economic independency, violence elimination and conflict prevention.
During the meeting, the CSOs had a chance to have Q&A session regarding the new policy note, sharing lesson learnt related to L&A (Lobby and Advocacy) with Nina Rossiana of UTZ and RA (Rainforest Alliance), and having discussions on the topics related to multi-stakeholder platform and public-private partnership (PPP). There was also a session of group assignment where participants were divided into five groups and worked together on a certain topic related to five issues: environment, sustainable development goals (SDGs), enforceable agreement, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and media. This time the CSOs truly had a chance to sit together and worked together on certain issues which can be an exercise for real collaboration. (IRK)