Office of International Visitors / Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs / U.S. Department of State

INTERNATINAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Mr. Muhammad DARLIS

Correspondent, Tempo Magazine and Newspapers, Palu, Central Sulawesi,

Indonesia

This visitor is invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. His program is arranged by Meridian International Center.

Primary Program Contacts: Mr. James Gagnon and Ms. Christina Scoras, 1624 Crescent Place, NW, Washington, DC 20009; Phone - (202) 939-5561 or (202) 939-5558; Fax – (202) 667-8980; Email – or

Department of State Program Officer: Office of International Visitors; Ms. Helen Szpakowski; Telephone - (202) 939-8592; Fax - (202) 453-8595; E-mail –

Accompanied By: Ms. Rebecca Redfield, U.S. Interpreter

May 28 - June 17, 2006

Indonesia

Name: Mr. Muhammad DARLIS

Present Position: Correspondent, Tempo Magazine and Newspapers, Palu, Central Sulawesi

Concurrent Position: Member, Central Sulawesi KPID (Regional Broadcast Independent Commission)

Member, Human Rights and Law Development Study Agency, Palu, Central Sulawesi

Previous Positions: Community Development Specialist, Ibnu Kaldun Foundation, 2000

Reporter, Sinar Jakarta Base Magazine, 1997

Reporter, Amanah Magazine, 1990

Education/Training: Environmental Journalism Training, Makassar, South Sulawesi, 2002

Peace Journalism Training, ELSIM (Mass Media and Information Study Agency), Makassar, 2001

Community Development Training, 1995

B.A., Communication, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, 1989

Memberships: Alliance of Independent Journalists, Palu Chapter

Publications: Hutan di Sulawesi (Forest in Sulawesi), ELSIM (Mass Media and Information Study Agency) and the Asia Foundation, 2002

Kerusuhan Poso dari Dua Sisi (Two Sides of Conflict in Poso), ELSIM (Mass Media and Information Study Agency) and the Asia Foundation, 2001

Bidan sebuah Profesi (Midwife as a Profession), IBI (Indonesian Midwife Association), 1995

Habibie di Mata Duafa (Habibie in the Eyes of the Humble People), Conference Committee of ICMI (Indonesian Intellectual Muslim Association), 1995

Address: Tempo Magazine/ Newspaper Head Office

Jl. Proklamasi No. 72

Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta

Indonesia

Telephone: 62-21-391-6160

Fax: 62-21-392-1947

Email: ;

Personal Data: Born July 31, 1965 in Malela, Indonesia

Languages: Indonesian (primary); Javanese (fluent)

Remarks:

Darlis Muhammad has been active in reporting and researching the sectarian and communal strife that has plagued Central Sulawesi. His achievements were instrumental in his being selected as a member of the Regional Independent Broadcast Commission (KPID). In addition to his correspondent duties, Darlis has been active in promoting civil society in Central Sulawesi, and in participating in programs that seek to foster conflict resolution and community development.

Project Objectives

During his three week Department of State-sponsored international visitor program, Mr. Darlis will focus on conflict resolution and mediation at the community and local level and will explore how the fostering of cross-cultural, inter-ethnic and inter-religious understanding contributes to rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights. The program topics will include the following:

·  Initiatives and techniques local governments, community leaders, law enforcement officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), business associations and the private sector employ to prevent conflicts and promote multi-cultural understanding, diversity and tolerance.

·  Programs local governments, community leaders, law enforcement officials, NGOs, business associations and the private sector have initiated to accelerate post-conflict reconciliation and the mechanisms that have been established to create the conditions for enduring solutions.

·  Curriculums and professional training programs developed by academic institutions, community associations and NGOs to teach conflict resolution techniques and to promote the greater use of these principles in resolving disputes between ethnic and/or religious communities, rival groups, families, and individuals.

·  Programs that communities and secondary schools employ to mediate conflicts and disputes between young people and groups of young people.

·  Role local inter-faith organizations play in promoting religious and cultural tolerance and respect for individual human rights.

·  Role economic development plays in preventing conflict through the creation of commercial and educational opportunities for all members of the community.

·  Role the U.S. Federal Government, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and think tanks play in fostering the use of conflict resolution principles globally and in promoting respect for human rights, and the growth of democratic institutions worldwide.