Advancing Governance Reform with New Leadership

Jakarta, 31 August 2009. A gathering to bid farewell to Mr. Mohamad Sobary and to welcome the new Executive Director, Mr. Wicaksono Sarosa was held at the Partnership office on Monday, 31 August 2009. The event was attended by representatives from donor countries and multilateral agencies, government officials, CSOs’ partners and the Partnership’s Board members, staff and alumni.

The event was opened by Ms. Erna Witoelar, the Chairperson of the Executive Board and followed by remarks and slides presentation of Mr. Sobary and Mr. Sarosa. Testimonies from key stakeholders, some music and breaking fast dinner are part of the merriment.

Mr. Wicaksono Sarosa, after a long recruitment process, was appointed by the Executive Board of the Partnership as the new Executive Director for the Partnership replacing Mr. Mohamad Sobary who had finished his three year tenure in June 2009. Mr. Sarosa will officially join the Partnership on 1st of October 2009. Mr. Sarosa is well conversant with issues and trends pertaining to governance reform and development sector in Indonesia through his professional and academic exposure to date. He was the Executive Director of the Urban and Regional Development Institute for five years (2002 – 2007) and has since been working extensively as an independent consultant/researcher/training-facilitator in the areas of local planning, development and governance, not only in Indonesia but also in a number of other Asian countries. His most recent professional portfolio is as the team leader of the National Urban Strategy and Policy Development commissioned by the Bappenas, Ministry of Public Works and the World Bank.

The Partnership believes that Mr. Sarosa is well equipped with the required competencies to effectively manage and strategically lead the Partnership in achieving its vision and mission to further enhance governance reform dynamism in Indonesia. With this change of leadership, equipped with feedbacks and support from our key stakeholders, we are prepared to speed up the reform process.