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Paper long abstract:

Every human inherently possesses dignity which cannot be taken away (Kant 2002, as cited in Hill, 2015). The word “dignity” is translated as harkat dan martabat in Indonesian language, which implies honor and self-worth (Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, n.d.). Acknowledgement of dignity appears in government policies and mission objectives of several development agencies operating in Indonesia, especially after development initiatives globally transitioned from charity-based to capacity building models (Merino and Carmenado, 2012). The latter model ostensibly upholds program participants' dignity by not treating them as aid-dependent “objects” but “subjects” of their own development.

However upon further examination, it is questionable if both government and development programs truly respect dignity or not. For example, the definition of capacity building by the United Nations says that capacity building is a process to enhance skills to adapt in the world (United Nations, 2016), implying the participants do not possess the ability to survive by themselves without the development program. A clearer example is a clause in Indonesian Law on Poverty Alleviation Management where it states that the program aims to “make participants acquire dignity through education” (Undang - Undang Penanganan Fakir Maskin, 2011).

This paper inquires how dignity is conceptualized in Indonesia’s development policies and programs. Using content analysis, this paper explores common themes, contradictions, and dynamics in the representation of dignity in development. Ultimately, this paper explores the implications in the plurality and paradoxes of dignity conceptualization and how they affect the participants of development policies and programs.