2025 Indonesia Delegates
Matius Ho
Executive Director, Leimena Institute, Indonesia
Matius Ho is the executive director of Leimena Institute in Jakarta, Indonesia. He led the development of the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy program that since 2021 has trained thousands of teachers in Indonesia on competencies to strengthen peaceful multi-faith and multicultural societies. Under his direction, Leimena Institute has partnered and collaborated with the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights and many leading religious and educational institutions. Ho has been invited to speak about the program in many countries. He wrote about Indonesia in the Routledge Handbook of Religious Literacy, Pluralism, and Global Engagement (2021). He worked in Indonesia and Singapore with Accenture, a multinational consulting firm, and served as vice secretary of Akademi Leimena Foundation, Leimena Institute’s precursor, before cofounding the institute in 2005. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Matius Ho is the executive director of Leimena Institute in Jakarta, Indonesia. He led the development of the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy program that since 2021 has trained thousands of teachers in Indonesia on competencies to strengthen peaceful multi-faith and multicultural societies. Under his direction, Leimena Institute has partnered and collaborated with the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights and many leading religious and educational institutions. Ho has been invited to speak about the program in many countries. He wrote about Indonesia in the Routledge Handbook of Religious Literacy, Pluralism, and Global Engagement (2021). He worked in Indonesia and Singapore with Accenture, a multinational consulting firm, and served as vice secretary of Akademi Leimena Foundation, Leimena Institute’s precursor, before cofounding the institute in 2005. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Yuyun Wahyuningrum
Executive Director, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, Indonesia
Yuyun Wahyuningrum is the Executive Director of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and an affiliated researcher at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University. In July 2024, she joined the Asia Justice Coalition (AJC) as one of its board members for a WIJA project. From 2019 to 2024, she served as the Representative of Indonesia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). She was the International Democracy Goodwill Ambassador (2021 to 2022) for the Korean Democracy Foundation, Republic of Korea. She has more than 30 years of experience working in human rights organizations, including at the Human Rights Working Group-HRWG (Jakarta), Oxfam International (Jakarta), Forum-Asia (Bangkok), Child Workers in Asia (Bangkok), the Solidarity Centre (Jakarta), and the National Commission on Child Protection (Jakarta). She founded the Weaving Women’s Voices in ASEAN (WEAVE) in 2013. She was the team leader of the Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument on Human Rights Facility (2015 – 2017). She was recognized as one of Mahidol’s Outstanding Alumna 2024, and as one of the Indonesian women experts at the #100womenwiki, 2018. She writes regularly for news media. Her latest publication, “A Decade of Institutionalizing Human Rights in ASEAN: Progress and Challenges,” was published in the Journal of Human Rights in 2021. She is finishing her PhD at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Yuyun Wahyuningrum is the Executive Director of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and an affiliated researcher at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University. In July 2024, she joined the Asia Justice Coalition (AJC) as one of its board members for a WIJA project. From 2019 to 2024, she served as the Representative of Indonesia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). She was the International Democracy Goodwill Ambassador (2021 to 2022) for the Korean Democracy Foundation, Republic of Korea. She has more than 30 years of experience working in human rights organizations, including at the Human Rights Working Group-HRWG (Jakarta), Oxfam International (Jakarta), Forum-Asia (Bangkok), Child Workers in Asia (Bangkok), the Solidarity Centre (Jakarta), and the National Commission on Child Protection (Jakarta). She founded the Weaving Women’s Voices in ASEAN (WEAVE) in 2013. She was the team leader of the Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument on Human Rights Facility (2015 – 2017). She was recognized as one of Mahidol’s Outstanding Alumna 2024, and as one of the Indonesian women experts at the #100womenwiki, 2018. She writes regularly for news media. Her latest publication, “A Decade of Institutionalizing Human Rights in ASEAN: Progress and Challenges,” was published in the Journal of Human Rights in 2021. She is finishing her PhD at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Muhammad Hafiz
CCRL and FoRB Facilitator, Leimena Institute, Indonesia
Muhammad Hafiz is a human rights activist working on a national human rights action plan in Indonesia. He is an international advocate for human rights, both treaty and charter based, and has experience in FoRB advocacy in Indonesia and the ASEAN context. With Leimena Institute, Hafiz is working to develop training modules on Cross-Cultural and Religious Literacy (CCRL) and Freedom of Human Rights for the Madrasah teachers. He is also developing a training module on CCRL for the grassroots communities in cooperation with Leimana Institute and Kalijaga Institute for Justice. Hafiz also works on disability issues in Indonesia and campaigns for conflict resolution in Papua.
Muhammad Hafiz is a human rights activist working on a national human rights action plan in Indonesia. He is an international advocate for human rights, both treaty and charter based, and has experience in FoRB advocacy in Indonesia and the ASEAN context. With Leimena Institute, Hafiz is working to develop training modules on Cross-Cultural and Religious Literacy (CCRL) and Freedom of Human Rights for the Madrasah teachers. He is also developing a training module on CCRL for the grassroots communities in cooperation with Leimana Institute and Kalijaga Institute for Justice. Hafiz also works on disability issues in Indonesia and campaigns for conflict resolution in Papua.
Dr. Hurriyah
Chair, Indonesian Scholar Network on Freedom of Religion or Beliefs, Indonesia
Dr. Hurriyah is a scholar of religion and politics in Indonesia with over 20 years of experience in academic and applied research. She is the Chair of the Indonesian Scholar Network on Freedom of Religion or Beliefs (ISFORB), in addition to her roles as Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Political Studies at Universitas Indonesia. Her research interests include Islamic politics, gender issues, human rights, civic space, religious freedom, and religious minorities. Since 2019, Hurriyah has been investigating the politics of religious freedom in Indonesia, with a current focus on religious minority threat issues. She is currently researching the Rohingya minority threat issues in Southeast Asia in collaboration with the Asia Research Centre Universitas Indonesia (ARC UI) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Hurriyah works with local, national, and international scholars to spread awareness of issues in Indonesia. Outside of the academy, her work is often used at the highest level to inform government and non-government organizations on how to promote policy change in Indonesia. She is currently a research fellow at Boston University's Centre for the Study of Asia (BUCSA).
Dr. Hurriyah is a scholar of religion and politics in Indonesia with over 20 years of experience in academic and applied research. She is the Chair of the Indonesian Scholar Network on Freedom of Religion or Beliefs (ISFORB), in addition to her roles as Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Political Studies at Universitas Indonesia. Her research interests include Islamic politics, gender issues, human rights, civic space, religious freedom, and religious minorities. Since 2019, Hurriyah has been investigating the politics of religious freedom in Indonesia, with a current focus on religious minority threat issues. She is currently researching the Rohingya minority threat issues in Southeast Asia in collaboration with the Asia Research Centre Universitas Indonesia (ARC UI) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Hurriyah works with local, national, and international scholars to spread awareness of issues in Indonesia. Outside of the academy, her work is often used at the highest level to inform government and non-government organizations on how to promote policy change in Indonesia. She is currently a research fellow at Boston University's Centre for the Study of Asia (BUCSA).
Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
President, World Council of Churches (representing Asia region), Indonesia
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, a pastor of Toraja Church in Indonesia, is presently chair of the advisory board of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, general chairperson of Indonesian Bible Society, one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches (WCC) representing Asian churches, and a resource person for the Leimena Institute program on cross-cultural religious literacy. She was general chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (2014–2019), a member of the WCC executive committee (2013–2018), a member of the WCC central committee (2013–2021), general secretary of Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) (2010–2015), and director of the Institute Theology of Toraja Church (2006–2010). Additionally, she served as a member of the joint working group of WCC and the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity (2007–2013), chair of education and mission of the Synod of Toraja Church (2001–2006), vice president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (2004–2010), associate general secretary of CCA (1991–2001), and the head of the Women’s Desk of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (1984–1986). Rev. Hutabarat Lebang graduated from Jakarta Theological Seminary (MDiv 1977) and Presbyterian School of Christian Education/Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, USA (MA 1987; EdD 1991). She is the widow of the late Ralph Donald M. Hutabarat and has two children and four grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, a pastor of Toraja Church in Indonesia, is presently chair of the advisory board of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, general chairperson of Indonesian Bible Society, one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches (WCC) representing Asian churches, and a resource person for the Leimena Institute program on cross-cultural religious literacy. She was general chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (2014–2019), a member of the WCC executive committee (2013–2018), a member of the WCC central committee (2013–2021), general secretary of Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) (2010–2015), and director of the Institute Theology of Toraja Church (2006–2010). Additionally, she served as a member of the joint working group of WCC and the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity (2007–2013), chair of education and mission of the Synod of Toraja Church (2001–2006), vice president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (2004–2010), associate general secretary of CCA (1991–2001), and the head of the Women’s Desk of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (1984–1986). Rev. Hutabarat Lebang graduated from Jakarta Theological Seminary (MDiv 1977) and Presbyterian School of Christian Education/Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, USA (MA 1987; EdD 1991). She is the widow of the late Ralph Donald M. Hutabarat and has two children and four grandchildren.
Akhmad Muzakki
Rector, State Islamic University Sunan Ampel, Indonesia
Professor Akh. Muzakki is a professor of sociology education. He obtained his Master’s from the Australian National University and his PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia. Currently, he is the Rector of State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Ampel. He has published many academic papers focusing on sociology media and Islam, sociology education, philosophy, religion and classic, and politics and Islam. Besides, being recorded as a professor in the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, he has several positions in the community, such as the General Secretary of Nahdatul Ulama (Islamic Organization) in East Java, reviewer of Beasiswa Indonesia Bangkit scholarship, and member of professors’ conference in the Directorate of Islamic Higher Education. He also regularly publishes his writing in media including Kompas, the Jakarta Post, Media Indonesia, Tempo, and Sindo (Seputar Indonesia).
Professor Akh. Muzakki is a professor of sociology education. He obtained his Master’s from the Australian National University and his PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia. Currently, he is the Rector of State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Ampel. He has published many academic papers focusing on sociology media and Islam, sociology education, philosophy, religion and classic, and politics and Islam. Besides, being recorded as a professor in the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, he has several positions in the community, such as the General Secretary of Nahdatul Ulama (Islamic Organization) in East Java, reviewer of Beasiswa Indonesia Bangkit scholarship, and member of professors’ conference in the Directorate of Islamic Higher Education. He also regularly publishes his writing in media including Kompas, the Jakarta Post, Media Indonesia, Tempo, and Sindo (Seputar Indonesia).
Desytia Nawris
Representative, Baháʼí International Community, Jakarta Office–Regional Southeast Asia, Indonesia
Desytia Nawris is a representative of the Bahá’í International Community’s Regional Office in Jakarta to inter-governmental associations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as various governmental agencies, civil society organizations, and research institutes in the region. Based in Jakarta, she actively participates in various regional fora and spaces, seeking to collaborate with individuals and entities concerned with the well-being of Southeast Asia, especially in advancing the cause of peace in the region. As a young woman, she is interested in promoting the role of youth and women in building a peaceful and cohesive society both at the grassroots and at the decision-making table from local to international levels. She is actively engaged in grassroots initiatives by serving as a facilitator of youth empowerment and is engaged in various consultative spaces promoting meaningful youth and women participation.
Desytia Nawris is a representative of the Bahá’í International Community’s Regional Office in Jakarta to inter-governmental associations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as various governmental agencies, civil society organizations, and research institutes in the region. Based in Jakarta, she actively participates in various regional fora and spaces, seeking to collaborate with individuals and entities concerned with the well-being of Southeast Asia, especially in advancing the cause of peace in the region. As a young woman, she is interested in promoting the role of youth and women in building a peaceful and cohesive society both at the grassroots and at the decision-making table from local to international levels. She is actively engaged in grassroots initiatives by serving as a facilitator of youth empowerment and is engaged in various consultative spaces promoting meaningful youth and women participation.
Inayah Rohmaniyah
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga, Indonesia
Prof Dr. Inayah Rohmaniyah S.Ag, M. Hum., M.A., is a senior lecturer of the Graduate Program of Islamic Theology and Philosophy, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. Educated in traditional Muslim schools and Islamic and secular universities in Indonesia, Inayah earned two master’s degrees—in philosophy from Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia and in Religious Studies from Arizona State University, USA. She was a Fulbright Scholar and studied at Duke University with a Luce Foundation Fellowship in 2010. She got her PhD from the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS) Yogyakarta in 2013. Her interests are gender issues, Muslim radicalism, and interfaith dialogue, and she has published several academic articles. She has experience as a gender research consultant, including as a consultant of Vital Voice of International Research Center in Washington DC (2018), a consultant of the United Nations of Population Fund (UNFPA) of Indonesia (2016), and a researcher at Arizona State University, USA (2009-2015). She was appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (2020-2024), and she is currently the Director of Lampu Merapi, Center for the Study of Islam and Tolerance. Professor Rohmaniyah is Assessor of the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education; Board Member of the Association of Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Yogyakarta; a member of the organizing committee of the Association of Yogyakarta Indonesian Family Planning (PKBI DIY); and a reviewer of international and nationally accredited journals.
Prof Dr. Inayah Rohmaniyah S.Ag, M. Hum., M.A., is a senior lecturer of the Graduate Program of Islamic Theology and Philosophy, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. Educated in traditional Muslim schools and Islamic and secular universities in Indonesia, Inayah earned two master’s degrees—in philosophy from Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia and in Religious Studies from Arizona State University, USA. She was a Fulbright Scholar and studied at Duke University with a Luce Foundation Fellowship in 2010. She got her PhD from the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS) Yogyakarta in 2013. Her interests are gender issues, Muslim radicalism, and interfaith dialogue, and she has published several academic articles. She has experience as a gender research consultant, including as a consultant of Vital Voice of International Research Center in Washington DC (2018), a consultant of the United Nations of Population Fund (UNFPA) of Indonesia (2016), and a researcher at Arizona State University, USA (2009-2015). She was appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (2020-2024), and she is currently the Director of Lampu Merapi, Center for the Study of Islam and Tolerance. Professor Rohmaniyah is Assessor of the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education; Board Member of the Association of Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Yogyakarta; a member of the organizing committee of the Association of Yogyakarta Indonesian Family Planning (PKBI DIY); and a reviewer of international and nationally accredited journals.
Farid F. Saenong
Lecturer, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII); Special Staff Coordinator to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Indonesia
Farid F. Saenong is a faculty member of Islamic Studies, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII). He earned his PhD from the Australian National University (ANU) and MAs from the University of Manchester and Universiteit Leiden. His research interests include, but are not limited to, Islamic studies, religious studies, social media and cultural studies, anthropology of religion, and wasatiya studies. He has published a book, book chapters, journal articles, and entries.
Farid F. Saenong is a faculty member of Islamic Studies, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII). He earned his PhD from the Australian National University (ANU) and MAs from the University of Manchester and Universiteit Leiden. His research interests include, but are not limited to, Islamic studies, religious studies, social media and cultural studies, anthropology of religion, and wasatiya studies. He has published a book, book chapters, journal articles, and entries.
Benny Y.P. Siahaan
Senior Official, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia
Mr. Benny Yan Pieter Siahaan is a senior Indonesian diplomat, working in the Directorate of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Cooperation, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Siahaan has held key positions in the Ministry and his diplomatic assignments. From 2020 to 2024, he served as the Head of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, concurrently accredited to Mauritius, Seychelle, and Comoros. His prior diplomatic assignments include roles at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York, the Permanent Mission of Indonesia in Geneva, and the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus concurrently accredited to the Republic of Cyprus. Domestically, Mr. Siahaan was appointed Director for ASEAN External Cooperation in 2017-2020, where he managed and strengthened ASEAN's partnerships with external stakeholders. Mr. Siahaan holds a Master of International Relations degree from the University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Mr. Benny Yan Pieter Siahaan is a senior Indonesian diplomat, working in the Directorate of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Cooperation, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Siahaan has held key positions in the Ministry and his diplomatic assignments. From 2020 to 2024, he served as the Head of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, concurrently accredited to Mauritius, Seychelle, and Comoros. His prior diplomatic assignments include roles at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York, the Permanent Mission of Indonesia in Geneva, and the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus concurrently accredited to the Republic of Cyprus. Domestically, Mr. Siahaan was appointed Director for ASEAN External Cooperation in 2017-2020, where he managed and strengthened ASEAN's partnerships with external stakeholders. Mr. Siahaan holds a Master of International Relations degree from the University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Ayu Ningtyas Kartika Sari
Fellow, Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Initiative, BYU–Hawaii, Indonesia
A sophomore at BYU–Hawaii pursuing a double degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, and currently a fellow for the Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Initiative (RFHD) at BYU–Hawaii. Her unique background has led her to become involved in promoting the importance of religious freedom and human dignity on campus and within the community. She is excited to contribute things that will bring positive impacts, especially to Southeast Asia countries.
A sophomore at BYU–Hawaii pursuing a double degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, and currently a fellow for the Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Initiative (RFHD) at BYU–Hawaii. Her unique background has led her to become involved in promoting the importance of religious freedom and human dignity on campus and within the community. She is excited to contribute things that will bring positive impacts, especially to Southeast Asia countries.