Jakarta, The PRAKARSA – The Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy PRAKARSA together with the Indonesian Women's Congress (KOWANI) held public outreach of BRICS Civil, which aims to provide a platform for open dialogue and build understanding of civil society engagement in BRICS member countries. The event was held at the KOWANI Office in Jakarta on Thursday (August 7, 8).
This event brought together various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, academics, businesspeople, media outlets, and associations, to discuss concrete collaboration opportunities through the BRICS Civil Council. Indonesia's participation in BRICS in 2025 is seen as a recognition of its strategic position, both as a representative of the Global South and as a key partner in promoting more inclusive global governance.
Event public outreach held a panel discussion session consisting of speakers, namely Mrs. Nannie Hadi Tjahyanto, General Chairperson of KOWANI, Ah Maftuchan, Executive Director of The PRAKARSA who is also a member of the BRICS Civil Council, and Mrs. Victoria Panova as Chair of the BRICS Civil Council.
Mrs. Nannie Hadi Tjahyanto, in keynote address emphasized that KOWANI is ready to be a home for BRICS in Indonesia. "KOWANI is a home for BRICS. We warmly welcome collaboration with the BRICS Civil Council, not only on women's issues but also through the involvement of the Pentahelix: academia, business, government, media, and associations. We believe that civil society involvement will strengthen Indonesia's identity as part of a global coalition committed to inclusive development."
Ms. Nannie also stated that KOWANI is committed to strengthening the role of civil society. "KOWANI brings together its members to strengthen the role of civil society not only domestically but also in collaboration with international organizations, focusing on education, health, culture, leadership, the environment, economic empowerment, and protection against violence.
Meanwhile, a member of the BRICS Civil Council who is also the Executive Director PRAKARSAAh Maftuchan conveyed the importance of civil society's role in ensuring that BRICS truly addresses public needs. "BRICS has reaffirmed that people-to-people connections, or people-to-people connection "This will be a key pillar of BRICS' future existence. This is a significant opportunity for Indonesian civil society to contribute to the formulation of more inclusive global policies that support the needs of the people," he said.
Maftuchan added that the BRICS Civil Summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025 will promote three key issues: strengthening connections between civil society across borders, increasing the use of local currencies in trade among BRICS members, and strengthening the role of the New Development Bank in supporting sustainable development, including the clean energy transition. According to Maftuchan, Indonesia's experience as host of Civil 20 during the 20 G2022 Presidency is a valuable historical asset. "We have proven that the solidity of civil society in Indonesia is capable of contributing to global forums. Now is the time for us to bring that spirit to the BRICS Civil Council, so that international policies are more in line with the needs of society, especially in the Global South," he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and Vice-Rector of HSE University in Russia, emphasized that BRICS was not born as a confrontational organization, but rather as an inclusive mechanism based on the principles of equality and mutual respect. "BRICS is not a confrontational organization; we want to build a more equitable, multipolar world by involving the countries of the Global South. Half the world's population is in BRICS, and that gives us both the right and the responsibility to strengthen more equitable international governance," Panova explained.
This discussion shows the common vision between KOWANI, PRAKARSA, and the BRICS Civil Council, namely ensuring that civil society participation is not merely symbolic, but becomes a strategic element in global policy. KOWANI, with its long history as a federation of women's organizations, PRAKARSA with its research and policy advocacy capacity, as well as the BRICS Civil Council with its global mandate, affirmed its determination to make Indonesia an inclusive and empowered host in the BRICS forum.