Indonesian Youth Democracy Forum (IYDF) 2026

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A healthy democracy is built on strong relationships between political parties, civil society, and a public sphere that enables the open and constructive exchange of ideas. These three elements play complementary roles in representing public aspirations, shaping public policy, and ensuring government accountability. In practice, however, both the relationships among these actors and the quality of the public sphere continue to face challenges that remain the subject of ongoing debate.

On the one hand, political parties are often perceived as not meaningfully involving civil society in their decision-making processes. On the other hand, civil society movements are frequently seen as still searching for the most effective approach to driving change, whether through more confrontational strategies or more collaborative ones. At the same time, social media has evolved into the primary space for public discourse, particularly among young people. While digital platforms have expanded opportunities for participation, they have also raised concerns about the quality of public dialogue amid the evolving dynamics of algorithms and new media.

As the segment of society most actively engaged in both civic and digital life, young people are uniquely positioned to understand and bridge these dynamics. How can political parties foster more meaningful civil society participation in decision-making? How can civil society movements strike the right balance between confrontational and collaborative approaches to achieve tangible change? And to what extent can social media serve as a platform that promotes constructive public discourse?

Through IYDF 2026, participants will explore these issues from diverse perspectives through a series of debates that encourage the exchange of ideas, critical thinking, and cross-sector dialogue, with the aim of developing a shared reflection on the future of Indonesian democracy.

📅 Date: 20-22 July 2026

📍 Venue: Jakarta, Indonesia