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Kota Kita, where citizens are at the heart of decision-making
Social innovation, not in terms of artificial intelligence or anything related to new technologies but genuine desire to bring social changes by democratizing policy-making, is essential.
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People take selfies by a street mural painted on Jl. Keuangan Raya in Cilandak, Jakarta, on Aug. 25, 2020. The mural was painted by 16 painters from the Jakarta Artists Community. JP/Seto Wardhana (JP/Seto Wardhana)
S
ince President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was raised to power, Indonesia has become known for being a trailblazer in institutionalizing and localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
In simple terms, it means using the global framework of the Agenda 2030 with its 17 SDGs to promote development at local levels by essentially, at least on the paper, involving the people through bottom-up approaches.
As we know, Indonesia was the first country to have special legislation that activated SDGs-centered local governance, a true model for many other countries, including the most developed nations. Yet I have been wondering how this framework really works on the ground, and while I am still searching for answers, I tend to believe that any formal governance set up, even the most perfect one and most able to involve and include the people, should become a sort of “open source” framework.
I am talking about a system open to collaborations and partnerships, able to enhance people’s ingenuity and give them a true role in the decision-making process.
For example, the process of participatory budget where citizens are allowed or empowered to have a say in how resources are spent is very powerful and it is rapidly gaining traction across the world with many good practices stemming from the South.
It is just one of several tools at policymakers' disposal to open up the governance’s gate and lay the conditions for the common people to step up and express their opinions.
Interestingly, Indonesia also counts with truly outstanding cases of bottom-up participation, especially in urban areas, and policymakers at the highest levels should take notice.
