In 1998-1999, ethnic conflicts in the Jakarta region, traditionally directed against Chinese Indonesians, expanded to involve people of various ethnic backgrounds living in close proximity. Many NGOs and institutions working to create a peaceful society in Indonesia lacked the necessary skills to address these situations effectively.
CICR Involvement
At the request of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) was contracted to assist Indonesian civil society. The goals were to:
Map the key elements of civil unrest in and around Jakarta.
Develop a skill-training program to support NGOs in managing conflicts encountered in their daily work.
Outputs:
A comprehensive study of unrest was prepared to guide intervention strategies.
A 2-day skill training program was developed, tailored to the needs of Indonesian NGOs.
20 NGOs in Jakarta and 18 in Jogjakarta received foundational training in conflict management techniques.
Outcomes:
CICR’s initiative in Indonesia highlights the importance of equipping local organizations with conflict resolution skills. By fostering these capacities, NGOs were better positioned to address and mitigate the ethnic tensions that threatened societal harmony. Hundreds of low-level conflicts were prevented or resolved as a direct result of the training.
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