Constitutional Court Conference with Christian Secondary School Teachers from 33 Provinces

For the third time, Institut Leimena together with the Constitutional Court (MK) held a conference – “Increasing Understanding of the Constitution and Procedural Law of the Constitutional Court”. The attendees of the conference that was held on 16-18 September, 2011 were from the Community of Christian Secondary Schools from all over Indonesia.  Held in Jakarta’s Hotel Lumire, these teachers from Christian secondary schools (Junior and Senior High School) of 33 provinces were able to hear directly from competent sources – the Constitutional Court judges.

Rev. Dr. Andreas A.Yewangoe, Chairman of the PGI (Communion of Churches in Indonesia), led 192 attendees of this conference with an opening worship service. It was then followed by an opening remark by the President of Insitut Leimena, Jakob Tobing, with the key lecture presented by the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Prof. Dr. Moh. Mahfud MD, who opened the conference officially.

In these 3 days, attendees were able to learn about the constitutional system of Indonesia, substantive justice enforcement along with progressive law, judicial review of the constitutionality of national laws, election results dispute, dissolution of political parties, authority dispute of state institutions, impeachment of the president / vice president and the Constitutional Court for Court Excellence.

Former Constitutional Court Judge, Dr. Maruarar Siahaan, was also present as a speaker. To the attendees largely dominated by Citizenship Education teachers, he shared a reflection on “The roles of teachers in building Constitutional Democracy and combating Mafia in law”. In this session, Institut Leimena encouraged each participant to be actively involved in becoming a responsible citizen. “Citizenship Discussion” program was introduced as a method for building such involvement.

The conference ended with closing remarks by the General Secretary of the Constitutional Court Janedjri M. Gaffar that was relayed by acting Head of Public Relations and Protocol Budi Achmad Djohari. Afterwards, Leimena Trustee Prof. Dr. Mangara Tambunan closed the conference officially. The closing worship service was led by Rev. Dr. Nus Reimas, Chairman of the Communion of Churches and Evangelical Institutions in Indonesia (PLGII).