Name of Organization: Lembaga Advokasi dan Pendidikan Anak Rakyat (LAPAR)/ Institute People Children for Educational and Advocacy
Form of Organization: Foundation
Place/Date of Establishment: Makassar , 17 April 1999
Office Address: Jalan Toddopuli X No.16 Makassar
Phone: 0411-457513
Fax : 0411-457513
Email:laparmks@indosat.net.id

Despite LAPAR initially only focuses on education but then it diversifies its scope of work on other social issues such as pluralism, democracy and civil society and human rights. LAPAR is now intensely dealing with those issues.   LAPAR’s main activities include publishing bulletin, conducting social research and holding radio talk shows. The main aims of the activities are to promote pluralism and gender equality and to empower local communities. Other activities include holding seminars and discussions on religious and social issues and public policies.  

LAPAR’s which is supported by 14 staffs has established cooperation with the media such as Pedoman Rakyat daily, Radio Gamasi (Makasar), Radio As’adiyah (Sengkan), Radio Sawerigading (Polmas), state-owned Radio Bamparuang and other NGOs such as Institute of Islamic and Social Studies (Lembaga Kajian Islam and Sosial [LkiS]), Yogjakarta, Desantara (Jakarta), Walhi (Jakarta), JARI (Jakarta) and the Land Reform Consortium.   LAPAR receives funding from local and foreign NGOs such as Yayasan Pemulihan Keberdayaan Masyarakat (YPKM) /The Foundation for Community Empowerment Recovery, The Asia Foundation, IUCN Belanda, Sawit Watch, and Grass Root Foundation (Germany).

Since its creation in 1999, LAPAR has fostered tight relation with other organizations in Makassar such as farmers and fishermen association, street vendor associations, student associations. LAPAR also seeks alliance with local community groups such as Bulukumba communities, Palopo, community, Cikuang community, Karampuang, Sinjai etc.

Like other NGOs, LAPAR also faces obstacles in carrying out its programs. The first obstacle deals with human resources and the other deals with financing. LAPAR can not guarantee the continuity of its programs because of inadequate financing.  

If the foundation secures financing it will use it to improve capacity building trough training and upgrade office facilities.