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Current Articles Papua Peace Update (July 2008) Evans Reflections on CTF (July 2008) Courant Plowshares Article (July 2008) Indonesia Seminar 2009 (July 2008) Interfaith Dialogue Initiative (February 2008) Restorative Justice Work (February 2008) Ghost Ranch Workshop (January 2008) Local Training Opportunities (April 2007) Hong Kong/China Seminar 2008 (April 2007) Truth and Friendship Commission Update (January 2007) South Africa Seminar 2007 (January 2007) Aceh Peace Project Prospers (December 2006) Plowshares Celebrates 25th Anniversary (November 2006)

Indonesia: Democracy and Development in an Inter-Faith Context 
August 1-15, 2005

Plowshares Institute, the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Center for Empowering for Reconciliation and Peace, the Hartford Seminary, and Columbia Theological Seminary are partners in offering this traveling seminar to Indonesia.  This educational immersion will consider issues of Western/Muslim relations, terrorism, sustainable development with special attention to steps to recover form the recent earthquake and tsunami, and understandings of human rights and democracy in an Indonesian context. 

Indonesia is the world’s fourth largest country, the world’s third largest democracy, and has the world’s largest Muslim population—more than the combined population of the core Middle East states.  A secular state, Indonesia also has the world’s largest reformed Christian population as well as large Hindu and Buddhist communities.  Indonesia’s leadership continues to actively confront issues of decentralization, the protection of human rights, expansion of democratic participation, and intervention ethnic/regional conflicts. 

Seminar participants will visit Jakarta, Bali, and Yogyakarta: three distinct regions which together reflect Indonesia’s scenic, cultural, and religious diversity.  In each location participants will have unique access to Indonesian leaders within the highest levels of government, religious, and civic organizations due to Plowshares many contacts in all levels of Indonesian society.  These practionners and policy makers will share their views on Indonesia’s role as the world’s largest Muslim country, Muslim-Christian relations, economic and political development, human rights, democratic participation, and conflict intervention in the aftermath of one of the world’s largest natural disasters.

Plowshares has been working in Indonesia for over 10 years with groups as diverse as the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the non-profit Center for Empowering for Reconciliation and Peace, and local church and civic agencies.  These agencies will serve as the seminar’s Indonesian hosts.

How to Join Us: Admission to the seminar is by application.  The group is limited to twenty-five participants.  The total cost for the traveling seminar, including travel to/from the West Coast, housing, and all meals is US $3800, subject to change due to possible increase in airfares.  A complete application and deposit of $250 are due by June 1, 2005.  Academic credit is available for this seminar through partnership with co-sponsoring academic institutions.  A limited number of partial scholarships for women and minorities are available.

Application deadline: June 1, 2005.  Academic credit and limited scholarship aid available.

For more information or to register: Contact Plowshares; Seminar Application