The network realization is a follow up recommendation from “Population Ageing and Development: Documentation, Challenge and Further Action” workshop, 19-20 November 2012 in Yogtakarta. The recommendation is part of workshop conclusion, concluded by Dr. Aris Ananta, Phd (Institute of Southeast Asia Studies, Singapore) at the end of the workshop. His conclusive remark wraps up all discussion and discourse throughout the workshop that lead to a common awareness that ageing issue is important, government, individuals, families and community all share the same responsibility on the issue. All workshop participants are expected to follow up the further agendas.

As follow up, there comes an idea to set up a follow up meeting on 15 February 2013, with SurveyMETER acting as host and organizer. The meeting is held in SurveyMETER’s office, located at Jl. Jenengan Raya 109 Maguwoharjo Depok, Sleman Yogyakarta. Delegates of 21,representing individuals and institutions attend the initial meeting.

In her opening remark entitling “Early initiatives for discussion: follow up of Aging workshop,19-20 November 2012, Yogyakarta”, Dr. N.W. Suriastini from SurveyMETER reiterates that idea of forming a network for elderly stakeholders, later called as JALA, come from the fact that there have been many concerns, interests, activities on  elderly issues by elderly observers, practitioners or researchers but yet they are uncoordinated and soundless. As mentioned by Suriastini, the preliminary meeting of this network establishment was supported by Help Age International in response to the success of the workshop.

Further, Wayan describes that JALA will have 6 objectives : to complete existing network to improve and ease coordination for activities, to share information, tighten relation, to support each other when speaking out elderly voice, to conduct joint research, to conduct joint advocacy, to support national and regional commission on elderly, and to increase awareness and attention of elderly implication toward economic, social and political aspect. Therefore the proposed agenda are : develop a website, JALA Indonesia,as a media for sharing information of member’s activities; build a closer relation by publishing a newsletter (electronic), named SUARA LANSIA, every 3 months (anyone can contribute); joint advocacy of best practice and researches.

Flow of discussion

Understanding that her remark is only to initiate the discussion, Wayan then let the audience to contribute their own ideas and thoughts. The discussion goes well, some give their criticism, some give their opinion, some provide feedback, and so on. One criticism is if the term “Indonesia” in “JALA Indonesia” is appropriate considering their under representativeness of Indonesia, another issue is capacity of the network itself to connect make connection within other ageing stakeholders and also its relation with national and regional ageing commission. Some initiators give their justification over the background of the network and suggest to extend the coverage, not only the ageing issue but also include the ageing process. Another suggestion from some initiators is to formalize the network as a legal entity.

However, discussion then lead to a common agreement when meeting agree to initiate Indonesia elderly network, called JALA Indonesia. This is an independent institution for elderly stakeholders in Indonesia, and dedicated to become coordination and information hub of elderly issues, discourse and activities for institutions, observers, practitioners and researchers on elderly. The twenty-one meeting participants are the initiators of the network.

Forum also agree to form a caretaker board for at least 1-2 years ahead or until there is a new agreement on continuance of the network/next meeting. The board of caretaker consist of : chairperson (BondanSikoki, SE, M.A), vice chaiperson (Prof Dr Tri Budi W  Rahardjo), Secretary (Dr Ni WayanSuriastini MPhil), treasurer (Dra Eva  AJ Sabdono MBA), public relation & publication (dr ProbosusenoSpPD,K-Ger and Ir Ngatiyo Ngayoko MM), secretariat (Okie Judhijanto K, SIP and Dra Dinni Agustin). While member of network consist of the initiators and their institutions, institutions and ageing experts.

Forum also agree about membership criteria which is any individuals or institution who have concern, knowledge, provide education or service or do researches on ageing issues. The network is bound with common vision to achieve Indonesian elderly who are beneficial, happy and properous

This network have four missions:

1. Integrate institution’s diverse education, service and research on ageing
2. Disseminate information on ageing programs to stakeholders
3. Provide input to government, National Commission on Ageing and groups or individuals who care on ageing issues for policy development and implementation
4. Raise stakeholder’s awareness and attention on the importance of ageing implication toward economic, social, cultural and politic sector

Meanwhile on network strategy, the meeting agree on 5 strategies:

• Develop network
• Empower member institutions
• Common understanding on ageing issues in Indonesia
• Develop an ageing mainstream
• Advocacy

In practice, those strategies come to matters with following activities:

1. Record and update member’s activities   
2. Publish and disseminate information:

• Develop JALA Indonesia website
• Publish “SUARA LANJUT USIA” bulletin
• Hold Campaign, Information and Education(CIE) through print, electronic and social media

1. Annual meeting
2. Hearing with policy makers 

The first two activities become the short term agenda of this network. (SurveyMETER)