Public RelationsUPNVJ - On Wednesday, March 20 2024, Dr. Henry Binsar, Deputy Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UPN "Veteran" Jakarta, was given a mandate directly from the Governor of Lemhanas through an order regarding the implementation of the LXVI Regular Education Program (PPRA) to be on the panel together with Rear Admiral TNI (Ret.) Bambang Darjanto, Dr. H. Akbar Faisal, Admiral TNI Sawa, and Admiral TNI Saptono Djuniawan.

In a written statement received by UPNVJ public relations, the panel discussion on the Republic of Indonesia and the Consolidation of Democracy for Welcoming a Golden Indonesia 2045 at PPRA LXVI 2024 Lemhannas RI aims to provide knowledge and insight for national level leadership cadres. This activity aims to equip and prepare cadres of national level leaders from various strategic components of the nation to become national level leaders who have morals, ethics and statesmanlike character, national insight, strategic thinking and skills in solving problems at the national, regional and global scope. To achieve these educational goals, one of the training materials provided is the Sub-Sector Study of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Dr. Henry Binsar H. Sitorus, as panelist II was assigned to provide material regarding "Challenges of Democratic Consolidation from the Unitary Republic of Indonesia's Perspective" to 100 participants consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, State Institutions, Ministries, Provincial Government , Community Organizations, and Friendly Countries (Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor Leste). This activity took place face to face in the NKRI Room, Pancagatra Building, West Floor, Lemhanas RI.

Dr. Henry Binsar H. Sitorus said in his presentation that what is meant by democratic consolidation is a process to strengthen and stabilize the democratic system in the long term so that a stable and sustainable condition is achieved. There are several important things so that the consolidation of democracy can take place, the first is that there is an agreement between political actors and all parties involved in politics, such as the government, political parties and civil society, that democracy is the best system. The second thing, the existence of strong democratic institutions. Democratic institutions such as parliament, courts, and general election commissions, election monitoring bodies must function well and be credible. The third thing is that people have high political awareness, so they are involved in the democratic process, for example by voting in elections and expressing their opinions.

"There are several challenges that can degrade public confidence in the democratic system so that democratic consolidation does not run well. The wide gap between rich and poor, as well as between the center and the regions, can trigger conflict and instability, so that people do not believe that a democratic system can bring prosperity. Another thing, weak law enforcement can reduce public confidence in the democratic system. The community is not properly protected legally, the practice of buying and selling cases, the law is blunt from top to bottom, corruption is high and other things are related to chaotic law enforcement. Indonesia's ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity can be a great strength if managed well, but this diversity can also be a source of conflict if not managed properly. Diversity itself is often used by political elites to gain support, which is often called identity politics. Apart from that, radicalism and intolerance that still exist in Indonesia can threaten democracy and pluralism. The development of information and communication technology can strengthen democracy. Through information technology, it is possible for the public to know news and developments that occur in all parts of the world. Social media can be an effective tool for increasing political participation and strengthening government accountability. However, on the other hand, social media can be used to spread fake news (hoaxes) and disinformation that can threaten the integrity of the democratic process. Therefore, efforts that can be made to face the challenges mentioned above include; "firm and consistent law enforcement, eradicating corruption, promoting religious tolerance and harmony, strengthening democratic education and increasing public political awareness so that the percentage of people taking part in elections continues to increase," he explained.

At the same time, two other panelists, namely Rear Admiral TNI (Ret.) Bambang Darjanto, as Panelist I, gave lecture material on Democratic Consolidation and the Concept of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and Dr. Drs. Akbar Faizal, Social Observer, as Panelist III delivered material on the Implementation of Democratic Consolidation to Welcome a Golden Indonesia 2045 from the Perspective of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

It is hoped that the participants will be able to gain provision and broaden their horizons in understanding and handling and be able to provide solutions to solve problems in consolidating democracy towards welcoming Indonesia Gold 2045 from the perspective of the Republic of Indonesia. (*s)