In Indonesia’s view, democracy is not only about a successful general election. Democracy needs to be consolidated and rooted in every aspects of Indonesian national life.

Furthermore, democracy, as enshrined in the value system of Pancasila as the philosophy of the nation, needs to be projected in Indonesia’s foreign policy. Therefore the promotion of democracy is an integral part of Indonesia’s foreign policy, particularly in the Asian Region.

Indonesia stresses the importance on how democracy should be built in the region based on its main principles which are: (i) Democracy cannot be imposed from outside. Every political development should be a ‘home-grown’ experience. It is something that must be constructed on the basis of a nation’s own historical experience and cultural conditions; (ii) it is imperative for the world’s community of nations; regardless their ideological affinity and political allegiance, to learn from each other in perfecting the methods of governance so they can better serve the larger goals of prosperity and peace. The process of mutual learning and sharing of experience would further vet the nature of democracy as a unifying factor. Also, democracy may foster a more participatory and inclusive decision making processes, this does not mean that they are more effective. It is stated that there is no substantial guarantee that democracy could surely lead to better developmental outcomes, whether in terms of stability, prosperity and anything else.

The Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) initiated by Indonesia in 2008, is an annual, inclusive and open intergovernmental forum on the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. The forum is aimed to promote and foster regional and international cooperation in the field of peace and democracy through dialogue-based on sharing experiences and best practices that adhere to the principle of equality, mutual respect and understanding. Throughout the years, this has become the foundation of the forum. In doing so the BDF has also been active in advocating the principles of democracy – namely that it must be grown and developed based on internal initiatives (home-grown); that it upholds the values of pluralism and diversity; and that it must be inclusive.

In its effort over the years, the BDF has succeeded in making democracy as a strategic agenda in the Asia-Pacific. It has facilitated in establishing a balance between economic and political development, between creating peace and security, and promoting the quality of human rights and humanitarian values in the region, all of which as reflected in the three founding pillars of the United Nations Charter.

To establish and maintain a forum among Asian countries that promotes political development through dialogue and cooperation in strengthening adherence to democratic values and development of democratic institutions. The BDF also initiates and facilitates learning and sharing of experiences as a strategy towards the consolidation of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond. The BDF also aims to providing sharing experiences among state actors and invited stakeholders to understand the challenges of making democracy deliver prosperity. On the same time, learning lessons of policies and initiatives, and understanding the conditions of making democracy for prosperity. Those objectives are built on a platform for mutual support and cooperation in the context of building democracy and political institutions.

The BDF expects to continue contributing to the region’s peace and stability, to the promotion of human rights and humanitarian values, and especially to further encourage that balance between economic growth and political development. The proposed theme of BDF is based on the underlying notion that the main objectives of any government is to bring prosperity for the people. In this context democracy is believed to enable governmental system to being more open, fair, and sustainable in the noble pursuit of achieving people’s prosperity.