LESSONS FROM THE FIELD
Introductory note
The present Observation Study Tour was designed to demonstrate a model of success, and therewith invite comments and inputs on the conduct of a real-life Empowerment movement at the grass roots. The OST was conducted with close partnership with the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), particularly with the Center for Research & Development for Human Resources of the IPB.
To that end the village of Pasir Mulya at Bogor was selected as site. With the guidance and facilitation of P2SDM of IPB this village has successfully developed its comprehensive POSDAYA, where all activities of family and community development are present. Moreover, there are no longer poor families in this village.
The OST was officiated in Jakarta, followed by site study visits and observation at three locations, including the one mentioned above, and presentation of PoA by participants.
The following are highlights of the OST.

PARTICIPANTS
Participants of the OST came from national and international affiliation, and also field cadres who have proved to have considerable potentials.
"BEST PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES IN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT"
Jakart-Bogor, 10-12 Agustus 2008

Mr. Ahmed Yaoussef Embassy of Egypt
Mr. Yasin Yusuf Abdi Embassy of Somalia
Mr. Samidjo UNFPA
Mr. Ahmad Pua Tuo
Ms. Elizabeth K.M. bolodadi A.M.Tru
Mr. Heri Haerudin Johns Hopkins
Drs. Rudoro Susanto Menkokesra
Ir. Jusni Meirida, MURP BKKBN
Mr. Suwandi, S.Sos, Msi BAPPEDA JATIM
Mr. Rosmananda, SKM., MTP BAPPEDA JABAR
Dr. Drs. Syafrudin Budiningharto, SU LPPM UNDIP
Drs. Edy Legowo, M.Pd LPM UNS
Mr. H. Fajar Supanto, SE, Msi LPM UNMER MALANG
Drs. Masduki, Msi LPM UNMUH MLG
Mr. Bambang Yulianto, SpD LPPM UNNES
Mr. Rusham, SE., MM LPPM UNISMA BEKASI
Mr. Imam Thoha Masyhuri P3M
Drg. Sri Rupiaty Yayasan Masyarakat
Tertinggal Riau
Hidayat Sri Sutarjo K3S Kota Bekasi
M. Jadi Suraji K3S Kota Bekasi
Ms. Lim Hwei Mian
Ms Herry Hutahaean
ICOMP - Malaysia
Habitat For Humanity

DAMANDIRI :
1. Dr. Pudjo Rahardjo, MPIA
2. Drs. Mazwar Noerdin
3. Dadi Permadi
4. Fadil Binnur
5. Isriani Mira
6. Ary Yusnita
7. Donni Hanafi

DATE AND VENUE
The OST was conducted in Jakarta and in Bogor on 10-12 August 2008, at the Kartika Chandra Hotel in Jakarta . In Bogor the sites were Pasir Mulya village, the University Farm of IPB, the Kampung Sunda Hamlet at Sindang Barang, Bogor. On August 12 the participants presented their respective Plan of Action.
The Work Program of the OST, broken-down by time and hours appear as Appendix B.

OPENING AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Opening Session was done at Kartika Chandra Hotel the evening of August 10. 2008, where all agenda items in Jakarta were held.
At the Opening Session, Dra Kasmiyati, MPA, Deputy for Program Development and Training of BKKBN gave her remarks on behalf of the Chairman of BKKBN. In her remarks Dra Kasmiyati stressed the importance of POSDAYA in the efforts to further reduce and sustain fertility rates, and thereby enhancing family welfare. Her reference for these remarks are the recent Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey 2005-6 and the Longûterm Plans of the Indonesian Family Planning Movement.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof DR Haryono Suyono, Chairman of DAMANDIRI Foundation. In his address, among other things he expressed the priority of putting emphasis on ôpeople firstö in national development. He further set the link between the development of family empowerment and the 8 functions of the family and the 8 targets of MDGs.. He further elaborated the conceptual thoughts underlying the POSDAYA, with all its manifestations.
He also gave emphasis that it is high time and urgent to apply new paradigm for social development which contains empowerment of the family and community. Older paradigm which is founded on power and authority needs to be replaced with newer ones based on the GOTONG ROYONG spirit, on KEMANDIRIAN and on empowerment. It is in that respect that he stressed the importance to revive the Gotong Royong spirit as one of the foremost cultural tenets.

OBSERVATION STUDY AT PASIR MULYA VILLAGE, BOGOR
The study visit at Pasir Mulya Village, Bogor was the highlight of the present OST. From that visit the following points were noted.
The POSDAYA at Pasir Mulya was indeed impressive considering that it is facilitated by the Higher Secondary School (SMA) Rimba Madya with Mrs Cahyani as the school principal. Noteworthy is that all teachers and students were active in this community action.
At this village the revival of the GOTONG ROYONG spirit was exemplified by, among other things, the active participation of the Elderly (known as the Silver College) on the one side, and the youth on the other. Together they go in parallel in community development and family welfare enhancement.
Participants also had in-depth discussions with the facilitators and implementers of the small farm and landless farmers demonstration plot. With this demonstration plot, although families do not have land or home gardens to cultivate they could still grow whatever they wish using appropriate technology for urban dwelling. Among other things, the Demonstration plot grows mushroom, fish farms, vegetables and fruits.
The village also boasts its handicraft products which have already penetrated local and national markets. Among others food processing, leatherware and decorative plants were shown and sold to participants. The initial stages of cooperatives is already in bloom in this village.
The village POSDAYA also demonstrated the growth of synergy in mobilizing local potentials for development, particularly in its links with the Local Government authorities and local entrepreneurs. One essential element which would deserve attention is the importance of giving RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to the community and families for their achievements.

OBSERVATION STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY FARM IPB
The OST continued its observation study to the University Farm of IPB where discussion revolved on efforts to enhance the welfare of small and landless farmers, especially at urban dwellings.

Dr Illah Sailah, Director of P2SDM-IPB and Dr Anas à.., Director of University Farm-IPB, explained the ways and means to converge the needs of small vegetable farmers on the one hand, the demands of the market on the other, and the required appropriate technological intervention to complete the triangular link.

KAMPUNG SUNDA, SINDANG BARANG VILLAGE, BOGOR
Observation study of that day was concluded at KAMPUNG SUNDA hamlet at Sindang Barang village, Bogor. At this site the ôwrap-upö of the dayÆs events. The village rural village atmosphere enhanced the discussion. The evening was spent on preparing their respective Plan of Action for presentation on the following day.

PRESENTATION OF THE PLAN OF ACTION
Presentation of the PoA was done by the participants from East Java Development Planning Board (BAPPEDA), the Social Welfare Board (BK3S) of Bekasi City, Central BKKBN, and the Community Service Institute of ôMarch 11 Universityö (LPM-UNS) of Solo. The facilitators and DAMANDIRI Foundation gather the impression that the OST materials are well absorbed and understood by all participants. This is heartening considering that most the participants are indeed doing POSDAYA work in their respective settings.

The discussion which emerge from those PoAs among other things mentions that due to the local and specific nature(s) of the POSDAYA, it is difficult to generalize and to establish a operational definition. It is also felt that general success indicators should be established although in details those also will be dictated by local nuances.

CLOSING AND FUTURE ACTIONS
The Closing Address was delivered by Dr Loet Affandi, member of the Board of Oversee-er of DAMANDIRI Foundation. Some of his remarks are noted below.
POSDAYA is a generic name of family empowerment posts at villages, and thus can be named according to local preferences. He mentions that essential in the development of POSDAYA is the revival of the GOTONG ROYONG spirit as this is the source of all efforts and activities.
Second, is the development and fostering of networking and partnership. Third, is fostering and strengthening the support of local government, and how to direct their roles in family empowerment.
He also gave emphasis that the characteristics and elements at play in different locations are very specific, and thus need to be treated accordingly.
In conclusion, he anticipates real actions and efforts by participants upon their return.

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