On November 19, 2020, Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), in collaboration with the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission (KKR Aceh), held a national webinar entitled "Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in Driving the Implementation of SDG 16".

The event was fully supported by YIIM’s main partner, PT Insight Investments Management, an investment management firm distinguished by its unwavering dedication to social impact and humanitarian causes in Indonesia.

The collaboration was grounded in KKR Aceh’s official mandate as a state representation body tasked with healing wounds and rebuilding Aceh toward a just future. Over its three years of operations, KKR Aceh has formulated numerous strategic policy recommendations for the advancement of human rights in Aceh, particularly the restoration of rights for conflict survivors.

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as official benchmarks for Indonesia’s national development, reaffirmed by President Joko Widodo through Presidential Regulation Number 59 of 2017 on the Achievement of the SDGs.

SDG 16 is recognized as the foundational cornerstone for the entire 2030 Agenda, as sustainable peace, equal justice, and accountable public institutions are vital prerequisites for achieving all other sustainable development objectives.

The webinar engaged 60 participants from diverse backgrounds, including university students, researchers, members of civil society organizations, KKR Aceh commissioners, and conflict survivor communities supported by KKR Aceh.

This forum was organized as part of a joint humanitarian effort. On the same day, YIIM and PT Insight Investments Management distributed 150 relief packages containing staple food items, fresh eggs, protective masks, and vitamins to conflict survivors sheltered under KKR Aceh’s network.

These aid provisions were allocated to survivors residing across five regencies in Aceh: North Aceh, East Aceh, Aceh Besar, Bireuen, and Pidie.

The event was formally inaugurated by the Chairperson of KKR Aceh, Afridal Darmi, who noted in his keynote remarks: "The role of civil society is indispensable in driving the implementation of SDG 16, specifically in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice for all, and establishing effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at every level."

Afridal Darmi added: "We trust that this discussion will yield substantial benefits for survivors and reinforce KKR Aceh’s statutory mission in safeguarding and uplifting human rights protections."

Following the opening remarks, the session transitioned into keynote presentations from esteemed panel speakers.

In the first session, KKR Aceh Commissioner Ainal Mardiah, S.TP., detailed ongoing recovery initiatives: "Within KKR Aceh’s mandate, the implementation of SDG 16 is actualized through survivor psychological rehabilitation, active inclusion in economic empowerment initiatives, and affirmative policy advocacy. Currently, KKR Aceh is dedicated to upskilling survivors and fostering micro-enterprise development so that family economies can recover independently."

The second session featured heartfelt testimony from Mahdalena, a survivor under KKR Aceh’s support network: "The economic conditions of most survivors in Aceh remain exceptionally fragile. We earnestly seek sustained support for productive livelihood empowerment so that survivor communities can achieve self-reliance and economic dignity."

The third speaker, Chrisbiantoro, S.H., LL.M., Chairperson of YIIM, shared his analysis: "SDG 16 serves as a fundamental anchor, as achieving peace, securing access to justice, and maintaining robust institutional integrity provide the bedrock necessary for all other development goals to succeed."

Chrisbiantoro emphasized YIIM’s inclusive mission: "YIIM is dedicated to advancing economic empowerment across all strata of society, embracing the universal principle of ‘No One Left Behind’ to ensure that marginalized groups, especially conflict survivors, are never overlooked."

The webinar, which ran from 10:00 to 12:00 WIB, generated vibrant engagement and thoughtful exchanges during the question-and-answer session. The forum successfully reinforced public understanding of civil society’s strategic contributions toward fostering a peaceful, equitable, and institutionally transparent Indonesia.

The full video recording of this insightful webinar is accessible to the public at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NetoRatyq_I.

Salam Inspirasi!