Indonesia was under repressive-military cum technocratic rule since 1966/67 that was characterized by violation of human rights, repression to democratic movements, and the pro-growth without equity development policies that served transnational corporations and the interests of the developed countries and international financial institutions (creditors) rather than the economic interests of the Indonesian people. Military controlled all political and economic spheres (including involving in businesses). The economy relied on foreign debts and the debts were used by the creditors (countries and international financial institutions) to impose policies on Indonesian government that mainly favored the interests of the transnational corporations and the international financial institutions.

Poverty, injustice, human rights violations, dependency to foreign debts and the indebted situation, and the conditionalities from the creditors for policies that were mainly against the interests of the poor and marginalized, while on the other hand there were strong demands for democracy, justice and equity in development; these were the main reasons for the existence of INFID.

INFID stands for the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development. It was established in June 1985, under the name of INGI (Inter-NGO Conference on IGGI Matters). The initiative was taken by several Indonesian NGOs and their partners in the Netherlands , and then expanded to other countries who were the members of IGGI (Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia ) or then CGI (Consultative Group on Indonesia ).

INFID is an open and pluralistic network of NGOs from Indonesia and various member countries of the Consultative Group for Indonesia as well as of international organizations and individuals with an interest in and commitment to Indonesia 's development.

Since 1985, INGI/INFID has proposed critical inputs and recommendations to IGGI (Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia ) concerning development issues in Indonesia .

The IGGI was a consortium of donors to Indonesia , which in 1992 was changed to become the CGI chaired by the World Bank. INFID's aim is to give voice of the perspectives and common concerns of the people represented by NGOs involved in Indonesia vis-à-vis governments, multilateral development agencies (MDAs) and the private sectors involved in Indonesia 's development policies and development programs. INFID facilitates communications between NGOs inside and outside Indonesia in order to promote policies to alleviate structural poverty and to increase the capacity to improve conditions of the poor and the disadvantaged in Indonesia

During period of military rule called New Order, the advocacy strategy of INFID was carried out by “borrowing democracy from abroad” (that includes using the “powerful hands” of donor institutions and creditors) to pressure the Indonesian government. Until 1998, the militaristic pattern of governance of the New Order regime (repressive and oppressive) hardly provided the civil society that are fighting for democracy, justice, the fulfillment of human rights, and civilian supremacy a room to maneuver in their own country. As such, these agendas were “entrusted” to International NGOs to act as the “speakers” of National NGOs at the international level. The primary targets of the advocacy during the New Order period were the government of Indonesia , donor/creditor institutions, and CGI. Some of the successes of the struggle later on became prerequisites of various international cooperations whether in the forms of providing financial assistance or credits to the Indonesian government.

At present, while anticipating the drastic changes that is happening at the international level, including the change in the paradigm of the Bretton Woods (IMF & WB) Institutions that is “washed away” by the flow of neo-liberal globalization, the broadening and change of focus is necessary. Advocacy to the donor institutions should only be a part of the advocacy on specific issues and institution, particularly on the reduction of the foreign debts. INFID finds it imperative to become a part of “international social movements” (forge new networks or strengthen existing networks) as a strategic coalition to provide heavy pressure to the choice advocacy of INFID at present, which is, poverty reduction, injustice and impunity (including transparency of military businesses).

As the fourth most populated country in the world, Indonesia should provide a significant contribution to the international movement for a more just global system. Furthermore, INFID, as one of the few NGOs in Indonesia that is conducting advocacy work at the international level has a moral responsibility and history for this. This “contribution” is of course closely related with the present condition in Indonesia .

1998 : When the military rule under President Suharto terminated, INFID conducted a Meeting for Reflection and reorientation. The agenda of social movement was incorporated ; new advocacy strategy was formulated ; the headquarter was moved from Netherlands to Jakarta  ; and the establishment of liaison office in Brussels , Belgium ..

2000 : In May 2000 INFID is registered as a foundation in Indonesia .

2002 : First General Assembly: deciding on the clear legitimate Governance and leadership; Sustainable program for long term, medium term and annual planning.

• The INFID secretariat acts on a mandate of the General Assembly and the INFID Board. As an NPF INFID has clear mandate and Governance.
• INFID is membership organization
• INFID invite external evaluation every 3 years
• The agendas of action for INFID are based on the joint responsibility of all NGOs concerned, taking into account the prime contribution of Indonesian participants. There is a constant emphasis on human rights issues in INFID, since such rights in the fullest sense - social, economic, cultural and political - are integral to any participatory development.
• INFID has acquired an undeniable legitimacy in the eyes of Indonesian NGOs, Media, Public and private partners.
• INFID's Objectives,
  • To endeavor to assure that the formulation and the implementation of national and international policies on development in Indonesia -- including those related to official lending that creates debt dependency, investment and trade -- are in the interests of the poor and disadvantaged, and based on principles of peace and justice;
  • To create conditions allowing for the strengthening of democratic life through broadening peoples' participation in, access to and control of, development in Indonesia.

Weaknesses and points to be improved :

1. The shifting and broadening of the basis of the constituents at the national level and international partners;
2. There is a need to strengthen international solidarity;
3. It is necessary to change the strategy of “borrowing democracy” by using our own democracy;
4. There is a need to increase assets and financial support for advocacy at local, national and international level;
5. To encourage INFID member to contribute membership fee or contributions. But most of INFID members have been suffering from financial difficulties.

• Promoting and organizing consultations and dialogues among NGOs representing different groups of people inside Indonesia , as well as NGOs representing concerned groups of people outside Indonesia ;
• Facilitating the growth and development of NGO networking and of critical strengths inside as well as outside Indonesia in order to consistently advocate for the rights of the disadvantaged in relation to policies on development, including foreign lending policies that create debt dependency, investment and trade;
• Organizing General Assemblies and Conferences for discussions and decision making on common concerns of NGOs inside and outside Indonesia to be communicated to the Indonesian Government, donor countries, Multilateral Development Agencies, and other international organizations such United Nations, OECD;
• Facilitating seminars, workshops, trainings and lectures aimed at sharing matters of concern with NGOs within and outside Indonesia ;
• Distributing information to the donor countries as well as other international institutions, media on the results of the INFID General Assembly and Conferences by means of open or soft diplomacy and, if so desired, by means of persuasion or any other legally permitted actions;
• Distributing information to INFID Participants and others considered to have an interest in the activities of INFID. Through INFID's Media Information : Website, News Letter (printing & electronically), INFID News paper (printing), Flyer, INFID members -mailing list, etc.
• Monitoring the policies on development, including lending, investment and trade in relations to their relevance for the Indonesian society particularly for the poor and disadvantaged

Yes. INFID takes a stand with respect to government policies, regional and international institution. At National Level, INFID opens regular dialogues with Government, Parliament and key persons such as :

• Sharing information and experiences and critiques based on: assessments, researches and people's testimony.
• Propose alternative policy proposals or submit public policy or administrative treatment recommendations.
• Invite Government in some INFID meetings (seminar, focus Group Discussion, Expert Meeting)
• Participating in some of Government's meetings (National Planning Agency, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, ministry of women empowerment, etc) and conducting meetings (seminar, Coordination Meeting, expert meetings, Conference and any official strategic meeting) that involve government high ranking representatives.
• Participating in some parliament meetings ( Public consultation, expert meeting, dialogue, Public hearing, etc)
• Sending written statement to the Government and media
• Taking part as drafter team of bills or regulations or taking part as evaluator team of the government's program, such as Participating in the drafting of the Presidential Regulation on the Gender Mainstreaming of State Budget and in Poverty Alleviation Program. Participating in national conference in drafting of Food sovereignty Policy.

At the Regional level:

• Joint with ASEAN NGOs to intervene ASEAN decision making process, propose recommendation to improve GO-NGO collaboration . Requests that ASEAN to establish a formal GO-NGO Forum for ASEAN/ASEAN + 3 Members
• Participating in UNESCAP (United Nation Economic Social Council, Economic Social Commission for Asia And the Pacific)

At the International Level

INFID maximizes its Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations to:

• Participate in UN sessions in Geneva and New York
• Send written Statements
• Facilitate INFID members to formulate and send Civil Society report/ Shadow reports
• Facilitate INFID's members and networks to attend UN sessions
• Have dialogues with some state representatives and UN special rapporteurs.

Domain :

Human Rights (economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights)
Women's Rights, Children's rights and other marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, people with disability, farmers, fishers, etc

• Establish adhoc coalitions, alliances, task forces or working groups for specific issues. Permanent or temporary networks depend on the issues and advocacy strategy.
• Conducted network meeting to develop strategy, share responsibility and roles, share resources and agreed some rules and role in campaign and lobby.
• Include experts, academia, specialist from government and parliament, public figures, in campaign and lobby activities.

INFID's legal status since May 2000  : Foundation

Registered : In Human Rights and Law Ministry

Since Nov 2006, INFID's legal status : Membership Association (Based on the decisions in the Extra General Assembly)

Registered: In Human Rights and Law Ministry.

General Assembly, Forum INFID and Conference

INFID members and partners regularly assemble in the Forum INFID every two years, i.e. in the year where there is no INFID Conference in order to discuss common concerns and to make commitments on certain issues.

The INFID Conference and the General Assembly are conducted every three years.

The conference, attended by all INFID members, is a forum to share and discuss current issues on selected topics. There have been 14 conferences held since 1985 up to 2005.

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of INFID. The General Assembly elected the members of the Managing Board as the Policy Implementation Body. The Managing Board members elected Executive Board that supervises the Secretariat operation on regular basis. The members of the Board are elected every three years.

The Secretariat is the Executive Body of INFID. The Secretariat (that represents INFID) is implementing the mandate of the organization decided by the General Assembly and reformulated as organizational policies and programs by the Board.

NGOs desiring membership of INFID must follow an application procedure:

I. Membership

• Each member of association can propose a recommendation on the membership of new member.
• Organization or an individual recommended becomes member only upon the approval of the Board and it is legalized by the general assembly.
• Organization and individual approved by the managing board but it is not legalized in the general assembly shall have a status as the observer

II. The requirements to become the member of association shall be:

• to approve of the vision, mission, purposes and objectives of the association;
• to approve of the Article of Association, rules of association and other instruments of the association's regulations;

III. Member of association shall:

• be involved in association and provide a contribution on the issue and common problem;
• assume responsibility on the resolutions and recommendations of association;
• apply or facilitate the implementation of the decisions and/or recommendations of the association;
• pay the retribution in the amount specified in the general assembly;
• participate in distributing the outcomes of resolution of the association;
• maintain the good reputation of the association;

IV Procedure on the retribution collection

Procedure on the retribution collection of the member and violation sanction thereof is stipulated in the By-laws.

V. Member of association shall reserve right to:

• participate in decision making process in the association;
• propose the agenda to be discussed in the association;
• propose the draft recommendations to the general assembly and conference of the association;
• propose the prospective member of managing board;
• propose the new member to be invited in the meeting of the association.

VI. The association membership shall be expired in case of

• resignation;
• the dissolution of the association or demise of individual;
• discharge by the general assembly due to violation of article of association/ rules of association

No

All INFID member receive information about INFID activities through letters, e-mails, INFID Forum, General Assembly, website, phone call etc.

• Association is led and managed by a Managing board. Managing Board is designated by and responsible to the general assembly of the association.
• Members of Managing Board are elected by the General Assembly to represent the spectrum of organization participating in the association and it minimally consists of 5 (five) or 30% women.
• The Managing Board minimally consist of chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer elected from and by members
• The requirements to become the managing board members are:
  • member of association;
• he/she does not become functionary or political party authority.
• Membership of Managing Board shall be expired due to:
  • own request;
  • demise;
  • expiration of office term;
  • violation of Article of the association/Rules of association and
  • suspension by Managing Board membership meeting ;
• In case of any vacancy of the Managing board membership due to demise or resignation; the Managing board can designate the substitute from the register of the prospective managing board who has the highest vote from the previous general assembly.
• Members of the Managing board are elected for the term of three (3) years, and can serve for two (2) office terms.

1. Managing Board shall have tasks:

• exercising the mandates of the general assembly of association;
• preparing and operating the policies of effective participations of the Indonesian and non Indonesian Non governmental organization in association;
• making up mind to accept the new membership of association;
• supporting secretariat in advocating Indonesian Government and other relevant organization as regards any matters brought into the concern of association;-
• Assuming responsible to the general assembly on all activities and financial problems;
• furnishing information to all members of association on the problems to be discussed in general assembly
• Providing recommendation, monitoring and evaluating the daily performance achievement
• Assisting daily executive in accumulating fund;

2. Managing Board has an authority to:

• designate and discharge Executive Director;
• control the work of the association secretariat;
• Ratify the work program and budget proposed by the executive Director;
• build up an advisory/ special committee, whenever necessary.
• represent organization in and outside the court/ Law

General assembly shall be authorized to:

• ratify and amend the article of the association and rules of the association .
• accept or refuse the accountability report of the managing board
• elect and decide on the managing board members
• make the general outlines of association's policies.
• ratify the new members of the association.
• discharge the member of the association in violation of article of the association/ rules of association.

Conference

(1) Conference is a membership meeting of the association and others invited by the board or secretariat to discuss the issues brought to the concern of Indonesia.-

(2) Conference is held not less than once in 3 (three) years.

Forum

(1) Forum is a meeting of members of association as consultative mechanism to provide inputs on formulation and implementation of the association's program.

(2) Forum is carried out 1 (once) in a year and is carried out in the regions (provinces).

Forum shall be carried out to:

• provide an input on formulation and implementation of program of association and develop a dialogue and cooperation among the Indonesian civil society organizations.
• discuss the ongoing issues brought to the attention which have relevance to the priority of the association.
• reflect the association activities.
• recommend the new issues to be added in the agenda of the association's advocacy; and
• prepare a recommendation for the organizational development
• exchange of experiences and prepare the joint position relevant to the development strategies.
• designate the persons based on their experience, position, influence and commitment on the purposes of association, as the advisor of the problems to the forum of association, managing board and secretariat.

Managing Board meeting

(1) Managing Board meeting consist of :

• Executive managing board meeting which is convened not less than 4 (four) times in one year.
• Indonesian managing board meeting which is convened not less than 2 (twice) in one year
• Complete managing board meeting which is convened at least 1 (once) in a year.

(2) Complete managing Board meeting is convened to evaluate and plan the implementation of the programs of the association and decide/ resolve strategic policies relevant to the association.

(3) The Managing Board meeting may adopt resolution in case it is in the presence of not less than half plus one portion of total members of the managing board.

(4) Meeting Resolutions are unanimously adopted; in case of failure of unanimous resolution, then resolution shall be adopted by voting

No. There is no specific financial system by Government for NGOs in Indonesia up to now.

Yes.

Network with International NGOs/networks:

• GCAP
• World Social Forum
• Forum Asia
• Jubilee South, Jubilee America, Jubilee Australia
• Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN)
• Asia Council of Human Rights
• NGO Forum on ADB
• UBUNTU

Yes. INFID works with some of National NGO Networks. Some of them are also founders and members of INFID such as:

• WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia ) for Environmental Issues.
• Indonesian Women Coalition for women's rights
• Urban Poor Linkage (Uplink)
• Indonesian Peasants Association (SPI)
• Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation Networks.

INFID will broaden its work on research on alternative development ideas and on development issues (investment, trade, transnational corporations operating in Indonesia ) and the legal framework of development policies to be provided to social movements networks in Indonesia and at international level.