Indonesia Hosts Discussion Event, Emulating Estonia's Opinion Festival Format
Indonesia Holds Democracy Festival Inspired by Estonia
Indonesia recently hosted a public opinion festival, welcoming nearly 4,000 attendees, inspired by Estonia's approach to democratic discourse. The event was organized by Citizen OS, a non-profit organization with international reach, which has had a legal presence in Indonesia since 2022.
Citizen OS, originally founded in Estonia in 2019, focuses on promoting open democracy and civic engagement through digitally-supported means. With its roots in Estonia's unique history, the organization seeks to create platforms that foster collective decision-making and transparent public discourse.
Agustina Iskandar Crombach, a key figure in Citizen OS's Indonesia branch, was inspired to organize such an event during a visit to Estonia, where she learned about Estonian democracy festivals and met leaders involved in the annual Estonian Opinion Festival. Observing the need for a space where Indonesians could freely voice their opinions, Crombach sought to establish a similar platform to spark meaningful discussions and promote a culture of democracy.
Young people were the primary focus of this year's festival. As identified by Crombach and her team, young people often feel excluded from political life and decision-making processes in Indonesia. The festival covered various topics, including youth engagement in the 2024 elections, women's roles in politics, critical thinking, artificial intelligence, finance, empathy, free speech, and the impact of lifestyles on climate change.
The Indonesia Opinion Festival took place in Bali, Java, Aceh, and online from October 24th to 29th. The event attracted government officials, leaders, institutions, civil society activists, young people, and representatives of local communities, with more than 200 volunteers contributing to its organization.
Citizen OS's efforts in Indonesia extend beyond the Opinion Festival. Alongside other local leaders, Crombach also plays a role in World Cleanup Day, a global initiative with roots in Estonia. The organization brings together citizens, governments, and organizations to create sustainable change and improve decision-making culture worldwide.
In essence, Citizen OS is an Estonian non-profit organization committing to advancing digital democracy and participatory governance. Through its Indonesia branch and various projects, the organization furthers its mission of empowering citizens to actively engage in decision-making processes, fostering an era of open, democratic societies.
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- During the Indonesia Opinion Festival, the Estonian approach to democratic discourse was emulated, attracting government officials, leaders, and young people to discuss various topics, such as youth engagement in elections, women's roles in politics, and the impact of lifestyles on climate change.
- The festival, organized by Citizen OS, sought to create a space for free opinion expression, inspired by the Estonian Opinion Festival, recognizing the need for young people to feel included in political life in Indonesia.
- Agustina Iskandar Crombach, a key figure in Citizen OS's Indonesia branch, was influenced by Estonian democracy festivals and leaders during her visit, inspiring the organization of a similar platform in Indonesia to promote a culture of democracy and civic engagement.
- Citizen OS, founded in Estonia in 2019, focuses on open democracy and civic engagement through digitally-supported means, building on Estonia's unique history to create platforms that foster collective decision-making and transparent public discourse.
- The lifestyle and entertainment sectors were also addressed during the festival, reflecting Citizen OS's dedication to promoting open, democratic societies and fostering active citizen participation in decision-making governance, as seen in their work in Indonesia and other parts of the world.
