Name of Organization: Forum Studi Agama dan Sosial (FSAS)/Religion and Social Studies Forum
Form of Organization: Forum
Date/Place of Establishment: November 08, 1997 , Jepara , Central Java
Address: Gg Mega No. 4B 02/ I Lebuawu Pecangaan Jepara, Central Java , 59462
Phone: 021-7520336
Email: efsas@telkom.net

Forum Studi Agama dan Sosial (FSAS)/ Religion and Social Studies Forum is a forum founded by young intellectuals who have strong interests in Islamic thinking, education and public policy. The forum, which was established in 1997 of the final year of the Suharto regime, sees many problems regarding Islamic thinking, education and public policy.

On Islamic thinking, FSAS sees that the majority of Muslims adopts normative, textual and exclusive thinking. On education, it sees that the education system which is being implemented does not give rooms to freedom of thinking. On public policies, the FSAS sees that most public policies are unfair to the poor, injustice and tends to ignore human rights principle.  

Concerned with such problems, FSAS is setting up an action plan to solve or at least reduce the problems. FSAS is focusing on three main agendas which are human rights, pluralism and mediation and resolution of social conflicts.   The agendas are sought to be implemented through action plans such as promoting religious tolerance by publishing bulletin, media and journals. Other action plans include monitoring public policies particularly the drafting of budget of the regency of Jepara as well as mediation and reconciliation of the 1965 tragedy in the regency. FSAS is actively educating people about democracy especially about the 2004 General Elections.  

FSAS which is backed 12 staffs have established an alliance with other NGOs such as Syarikat Yogyakarta, LKiS Yogya, LSKaR Salatiga, Percik Salatiga, USC Satunama Yogya, CD Bethesda, ATMA Pati, Yaphi Kudus, and YPL Jepara. FSAS also sets up cooperation with regional governments. At present FSAS receive no funds from permanent funding agencies.   FSAS is facing many obstacles to execute its programs particularly for finance problems, infrastructure and human resources. If there is an offer of funding, FSAS will use it to secure financing, develop infrastructure and improve competence of its staffs.