Swandaru Swandaru

Swandaru is an Indonesian human rights researcher and campaigner, now working as a senior researcher at Centra Initiative (CI), an Indonesian human rights organisation. For over 10 years Swandaru worked for Imparsial, one of Indonesia’s leading human rights NGOs.

Swandaru was motivated to work in the human rights field when he was a young boy and met NGO workers visiting his neighbourhood. They were working on child rights. At that moment, a young Swandaru decided to work in the NGO field when he grew up.

Swandaru was working with Imparsial when he participated in DTP’s Annual Human Rights and Peoples Diplomacy training in Sydney in 2008. He particularly valued the training for way it blended theory and practice, classroom simulations and external engagements:

“DTP’s training was helpful for me to understand how to use advocacy using international avenues such as international diplomacy and UN mechanisms. We were also taught how to engage with the government and donors meaningfully. During the training we conducted mock meetings with international NGOs, UN officials and donors. As part of our training, we also went to Canberra to meet DFAT officials. Thanks to DTP training, I now know that meetings with important stakeholders is not only about meeting but also about meticulous preparation for the meetings to be successful.”

Swandaru said that that training also helped him to expand his network with other human rights advocates:

“Almost 15 years since DTP training, but I am still connected with some of the fellow training participants. I have formed strong bond with human rights advocates in Thailand. We met several times after the training. Through Facebook we are connected with other training participants. It’s fantastic.”

Swandaru’s work with CI involves communicating and lobbying research findings through media briefings, lobbying, and networking. There are many challenges for the human rights defenders in Indonesia.

Swandaru said that sometimes collecting data for human rights violations is challenging. His works entails engaging with the communities in rural and remote areas in Indonesia where they are facing human rights violations. There were many instances when he was threatened during work such as being followed by Government agents, and being made to feel uncomfortable and worry about his safety.

“There are also frustrating moments too when a particular human rights advocacy campaign does not achieve its intended outcome. When an advocacy campaign fails, I had instances when affected people kept contacting me. They felt sad, I felt sad too. It is like when I am working with them like their case becomes my case also.”

Despite the challenges and frustrations Swandaru has kept the commitment from when he was a young boy and continues working in the field of his dreams, making meaningful change in the society.

In February 2024, Swandaru started working part-time at the Diplomacy Training Program as the Project Officer – Alumni Network and Engagement Officer, Indonesia.