Baron Divavesi Waqa (AFP/Jewel Samad)

Indonesia is set to kick off the 10th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) in Tangerang on Thursday when delegations from 100 countries are to discuss how democracy could contribute to development around the world.

The annual two-day meetings, which were initiated in 2008 by then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, provide a forum for the governments of various countries to share how they practice of democracy in their political systems. When the BDF started, Indonesia had just entered its 10th year of democracy after civil unrest in 1998 overthrew the dictatorship of then president Soeharto.

The Foreign Ministry’s director of public diplomacy, Al Busyra Basnur, said on Wednesday that even though Indonesia’s democracy was still relatively new at that time, the international community recognized it had grown fast and could therefore be used as a source of inspiration for the other attendees.

“Now, in its 10th event, the BDF has turned into a world icon, especially for the Pacific region, as a place to talk about democracy,” he said, adding that what was special about the event was that the forum had never declared the best way to practice democracy, which made the participants comfortable about talking.

The range of world leaders who participated in the BDF over the last 10 years included Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, then South Korean president Lee Myung-bak, then Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan.

This year, delegations from 99 countries, including one led by Nauru President Baron Divavesi Waqa, ministers from 11 countries and deputy ministers from 12 other countries, have confirmed their attendance at the 10th BDF.

However, some late changes have been made to the event, including moving it to Bumi Serpong Damai in Tangerang from its usual venue on Bali because of the volcanic activity of Mount Agung on the resort island. Also, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced he would not open the event as previously planned and he delegated the task to Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

“Since its establishment the BDF has ignited global effort in building progressive and democratic architecture,” Al Busyra continued.

This year’s theme asks the question: “Does Democracy Deliver?” It reflects a long-running debate on whether democracy leads to development and stability and if it contributes peace, or the other way around.

Cecep Herawan, the Foreign Ministry’s director general for information and public diplomacy, said there are concerns about whether democratic systems can deliver in terms of managing diversity, security, equity and social justice.

“That’s why the countries’ representatives will meet to discuss and [provide] answers to the ongoing debate and show how democracy supports development, stability and peace,” he told The Jakarta Post recently.

The expected outcome of the forum is a chairperson’s statement that will contain a summary of all the statements delivered by the heads of the delegations.

Al Busyra said that what makes the 10th BDF different from those of previous years was that for the first time the forum would have a ministerial panel scheduled to discuss various topics under the sub-theme: “Democracy for Managing Diversity, Security, Equity and Social Justice.”

In addition to that, 100 students from 62 countries will take part in a separate conference that will provide them with an opportunity to share their views on democracy.

“The student conference is expected to raise more awareness about democracy among youth and students,” Al Busyra said.

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