About Us
History
The success of national development turned into a disaster when Indonesia was struck by a series of social, economic, and political crises. The failure of the New Order government to overcome these crises awakened the nation to call for democracy in social, economic, and political fields. Led by students, the people took to the streets and demanded “Reformasi” or change. This movement bore fruit with the fall of the New Order government led by President Soeharto and the appointment of Vice President Prof. Dr. Ing. Dr. Sc.h.c. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie as the third President of the Republic of Indonesia.
This event marked a crucial turning point in the history of the Republic of Indonesia and will always be remembered as the birth of Indonesian democracy and the beginning of “Reformasi”—a step toward a more democratic Indonesian society.
As the President of a nation of 200 million people, Habibie demonstrated his concern for the aspirations of the people to better understand and apply the universal principles of democracy. His concern was based on his observations of the Old Order government and his experience as an official during the New Order, which guided him to carefully study the situation.
Through a systematic, comprehensive, and integrated process, he developed a concept—essentially a proactive and preventive interpretation of democracy as a political engine. This concept was later implemented in various political agendas, such as:
- Freedom of assembly
- Free and fair elections
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of association, especially in labor unions and political parties
- Recognition of differences of opinion
- Efforts to create an effective and efficient government free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism—in other words, good and clean governance
- Respect for legal bodies and other institutions established on democratic principles
- Release of political prisoners
- Separation of the Police Force from the Armed Forces
During his relatively short time as President, Habibie maintained his modern vision of democracy and implemented it in every decision-making process. His important role in accelerating the democratization process in Indonesia was widely recognized both nationally and internationally, earning him the title “Father of Democracy.” His commitment to democracy was evident. When the MPR, the highest institution in Indonesia authorized to elect the President and Vice President, rejected Habibie’s accountability speech, he courageously withdrew from the subsequent presidential election. He did so not only because the MPR’s rejection did not prevent him from participating in the election but also out of respect for ethical considerations and the confidence of his supporters that he could still outperform other presidential candidates. This decision was also intended as a political lesson on the meaning of democracy.
As a former President who understood that democracy is a concept that must continue to develop toward a modern Indonesia, Habibie recognized the need to establish an institution dedicated to promoting and developing the concept of democracy in Indonesia. This vision was realized with the founding of The Habibie Center on November 10, 1999, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Vision
The Habibie Center was established by Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie and his family as an independent, non-governmental, and non-profit organization, with the vision of advancing modernization and democratization in Indonesia based on morality, cultural integrity, and religious values.
Mission
"To create a democratic society both culturally and structurally that recognizes, respects, and upholds human rights, while also examining and addressing issues related to democracy and human rights."
Improve human resource management and encourage the spread of technology.
These missions form the strategic foundation of The Habibie Center programs, including democratization and human rights, human resources development, science and technology, media and information, maritime resources, technology dissemination, and network-building collaborations.
Logo
Meaning of Logo
The vision and mission of The Habibie Center are embodied in its logo. The logo consists of four pillars representing the foundation of The Habibie Center, namely:
- Culture
- Democracy
- Technology
- Justice (Human Rights)
These four pillars form an integrated, harmonious, dynamic, and progressive unity, based on a religious foundation—belief in God Almighty. The logo also represents the center’s purpose to develop and achieve a democratic society capable of sustaining itself based on religious and cultural values.