For the past two years Indonesia has struggled against COVID-19. Many things have been passed during this period, from the loss of life to the loss of health workers, to the economic shocks caused by the pandemic, whose impact has been felt by all levels of society. However, history has shown that we are a nation that never gives up. Slowly but surely, Indonesia is starting to emerge from the pandemic situation towards endemic. This was marked by President Joko Widodo's easing of the wearing of masks policy in mid-May. So, how should we prepare ourselves for life after COVID-19? To what extent is the government's readiness for technology adoption in the framework of public services?
The Populi Center discussed it in a National Discussion with the theme "THE FUTURE OF INDONESIA POST PANDEMI COVID-19". The event was held as part of a series of activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Populi Center, on Monday 6 June 2022. Hosted by Agustinus Prasetyantoko, Ph.D (Chancellor of Atma Jaya University, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Populi Center), this national discussion event presented Dr. . Drs. Bahtiar, M.Sc (Director General of Politics and General Governance, Ministry of Home Affairs), and Diah Satyani Saminarsih, M.Sc (Senior Advisor on Youth and Gender for Director General WHO).
In his presentation, Bahtiar stated that before the pandemic, the President had issued Presidential Decree No. 95 of 2018 concerning Electronic-Based Government Systems. "Thus, the government has actually prepared itself to work online, as well as in order to strengthen services to the public," he said. It's just that, he added, the issue of network and infrastructure equity is still an obstacle, especially in the regional government. However, the important thing to note is that while other countries are experiencing contractions due to the pandemic, especially when they are holding electoral processes, in 2020 we are relatively successful in running simultaneous local elections. "Of the 270 regions that have run regional elections, public participation has been quite good and there have been no extraordinary events that have disrupted socio-political stability at both the local and national levels." From this experience, Bahtiar is quite optimistic that the government and society are ready to face post-pandemic life, including welcoming the 2024 general elections.
Meanwhile, Diah Saminarsih reminded that in a post-pandemic situation, all parties still need vigilance. Because, until now the world health organization has not been able to predict what the new normal life will be like. "Therefore, WHO still recommends continuing to wear masks, maintaining distance, washing hands regularly, and so on. This is a preventive action so that the transition to a new normal is really smooth.” He also emphasized that the health aspect is closely related to political life, and therefore the government still needs to prepare an adequate national health system. "This is important so that one day when a pandemic occurs again in the coming years, we will be much better prepared," he concluded.
In addition to discussing nationality, the Populi Center also launched a book entitled "Interpreting Human-Oriented Policies: Ten Valuable Lessons After the COVID-19 Pandemic”, a work which is the result of a collaboration between Populi Center researchers and other researchers who are gathered in the Populi program Post COVID-19 Governance Initiative (PPGI).
On the same occasion, the Populi Center also gave an award titled Populi Center Award For Distinguished Scholar 2022, as a form of appreciation to scholars, lecturers and researchers for their contributions in the field of science. Award for category Inspirational Lecturer given to Dr. Martin Suryajaya, M.Hum. This category is intended for lecturers who provide inspiration through works that have a major impact, both directly and indirectly, on the development and progress of social and political science, including on the development of the advancement of democracy, especially in Indonesia. The next award for the category Promising Researcher awarded to Ella Syafputri Prihatini, Ph.D, as a young researcher who is oriented towards future research progress and has contributed to the world of socio-political research in Indonesia. Meanwhile, for the third category, namely Distinguished Thinker awarded to Mun'im Sirry, Ph.D, as a thinker who has progressive, innovative and constructive views in the development and progress of social and political science including towards the development of the advancement of democracy, especially in Indonesia.
Preview of Populi Center Award For Distinguished Scholar 2022 Replay
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