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| Habibie Center | |
|---|---|
| Name | Habibie Center |
| Native name | Yayasan Habibie Center |
| Established | 1999 |
| Founder | B. J. Habibie |
| Type | Non-profit think tank |
| Headquarters | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Leader title | President |
| Leader name | Hasjim Djalal |
| Focus | Democracy, human rights, technology policy |
Habibie Center is an Indonesian non-profit think tank and policy institute founded in 1999 by B. J. Habibie to promote democracy, human rights, and science and technology policy in Indonesia. The organization operates from Jakarta and engages with domestic and international institutions including United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and various universities such as Universitas Indonesia and Boston University. Since its inception the institution has hosted forums with figures from Asian Development Bank, Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and regional civil society actors from ASEAN member states.
The institute was established in the aftermath of the 1998 resignation of Suharto and during the reformasi period that included interactions with organizations such as Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia and political parties like Partai Demokrat. Its founding by Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie linked the center to broader debates involving the 1999 Indonesian legislative election and transitional processes overseen by international actors including United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor and observers from Amnesty International. Early work engaged with contemporary events such as the implementation of the 1999 East Timorese independence referendum and constitutional reform processes influenced by jurists connected to Mahkamah Konstitusi Republik Indonesia. Over time the institute expanded collaborations with think tanks like International Crisis Group, Chatham House, and universities including Australian National University.
The institute states a mission to advance pluralism, constitutionalism, and technological innovation drawing on partnerships with European Union, United States Agency for International Development, and regional organizations such as ASEAN University Network. Activities cover public dialogues, policy briefings, and training programs that have involved participants from Komisi Pemilihan Umum, Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, and activist networks associated with Konfederasi Serikat Pekerja. Events regularly feature scholars from Harvard University, practitioners from Transparency International, and experts from International IDEA.
Leadership has included figures from Indonesia’s political and diplomatic circles such as former ministers and ambassadors who have ties to institutions like Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Indonesia) and diplomatic postings to countries including United States, Germany, and Japan. The governance model includes a board of trustees and advisory panels with experts affiliated with Universitas Gadjah Mada, London School of Economics, and think tanks such as Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Indonesia). Staff and fellows have backgrounds tied to research centers at Stanford University, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and regional NGOs like Perkumpulan untuk Pemilu dan Demokrasi.
Programmatic work spans democracy assistance, human rights monitoring, and technology policy initiatives with links to regional projects in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Malaysia. Notable initiatives mirror efforts by Asia Foundation and Freedom House while also cooperating with media outlets such as The Jakarta Post and Kompas. Training modules for election observers have aligned with standards from Association of Southeast Asian Nations election dialogues and expertise exchanges with institutions like Kofi Annan Foundation and International Republican Institute.
Research outputs include policy papers, briefs, and edited volumes that have been cited by scholars at University of Melbourne, Yale University, and Columbia University. Topics cover constitutional reform, decentralization policies similar to debates involving Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, and technology governance akin to discussions in Global Commission on Internet Governance. Publications have featured contributors from Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia, National University of Singapore, and independent researchers affiliated with Human Rights Watch and Asia Democracy Network.
Funding streams have included foundations such as Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and grants from multilateral institutions including Asian Development Bank and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Collaborative projects have involved academic partners like Columbia Law School and regional networks such as ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The institute has also accepted project-based support from bilateral agencies including AusAID and USAID.
Critics have raised concerns about perceived proximity to elite political networks including associations with prominent figures from Partai Golkar and debates about impartiality similar to controversies seen at other policy institutes like Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Indonesia). Some observers affiliated with Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation and domestic activists have questioned funding transparency and the influence of external donors such as Open Society Foundations on agenda-setting. The institute has responded by publishing organizational reports and engaging in dialogues with watchdogs including Transparency International and academic reviewers from Universitas Airlangga.
Category:Think tanks based in Indonesia Category:Non-profit organizations based in Jakarta