Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) supported by the Knowledge Sector Initiative, a collaborative program between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and Australia held Indonesia Development Forum (IDF) 2018 on 10-11 July in Jakarta. IDF is an international forum to discuss strategic issues and the priority agenda of Indonesia’s development, as well as to find innovative solutions appropriate to the development context in Indonesia. This year, the IDF has specifically addressed the theme of "Breakthroughs to Overcome Interregional Gaps in Indonesia". According to Minister of National Development Planning, Bambang Brodjonegoro in a press conference held in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 10th, IDF is expected to emerge initiatives, innovations, and ideas from several regions that can be an example for other areas to overcome their problems.
"Therefore, in the Indonesia Development Forum this time, we want to raise initiatives, innovations, ideas that may have been going well in some areas and we hope other regions can learn from each other, see how other areas can do and maybe they can make modifications. Imitate but make modifications and then we also hope this idea not only emerges from the central or local government, but we also hope that this idea comes from the society," Bambang Brodjonegoro said.
Furthermore, Bambang Brodjonegoro said the gap between regions in Indonesia is a complex and multi-sectoral issue. Therefore the Government of Indonesia needs contributions from the society as well as businesses people, academics, publics, and also young people to find a solution based on real evidence and create innovative mapping with new approaches. The IDF theme that was carried out this year is one of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo nine agenda (Nawa Cita) to develop Indonesia from periphery
by strengthening social, economic, and human resources development in all parts of Indonesia, including underdeveloped areas and islands. (VOI/Rezha Hadyan/AHM)