From early 2005 until 2008, The World Bank and partners ran a series of monthly seminars on pertinent topics to the reconstruction community. With a large number of people active in the ‘reconstruction field’ a wealth of knowledge and experience was being accumulated in the region with new lessons learned every day, from the international and national staff stationed in Aceh, and also from the Acehnese academic community and civil society.

To make use of this wealth of knowledge and experience, and in order to offer an open and frank forum for discussion, the World Bank assisted the Tunas Aceh Research Institute (TARI) in 2005 in establishing the monthly ‘Economic Recovery Seminar Series’.

The Economic Recovery Seminar Series aimed to analyse some of the major problems involved in the recovery process in Aceh, by offering a forum for constructive discourse and opening a sphere to the wider public to contribute towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Aceh.

The Economic Seminar Series gathered together the latest information regarding progress in, and constraints facing, the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Aceh, providing a sphere for society as a whole in the development process in Aceh.

Monthly seminars were held at Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh. Speakers came from a number of fields (academics, government, the reconstruction agency, donor organizations, as well as NGOs). Participants also came from a number of sectors, and there was very strong student participation given that the seminars are held at the university.