VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi highlighted the important role that alumni of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (BSBI) can play after participating in the BSBI program in Indonesia for some time.

"First, they are ambassadors of Indonesian art and culture," the foreign minister said in her remarks at the opening of Indonesia Channel 2023 in Jakarta, Saturday (12/8).

Retno Marsudi said BSBI alumni have actively promoted Indonesia in 83 countries around the world. According to her, the alumni are often involved in various Indonesian art and cultural performances in their countries.

"Of course in front of the local community this performance becomes more unique and interesting because it is presented directly by their compatriots," she said.

Foreign Minister Retno admitted that she often met the alumni when she visited friendly countries on working visits.
"These young people are assets that we must protect because they are ambassadors of Indonesian culture," she said.

Furthermore, Retno said BSBI alumni also play a role as agents of peace and collaboration. According to her, this role is very important when the world is experiencing a trust deficit like today.

"They are friends of Indonesia and they can channel Indonesia's positive energy," she said.

The Foreign Minister said that this process will generate trust in the world based on Indonesian culture, namely Bhinneka Tunggal Ika or Different but Still One.

"This is the strategic role of the alumni as agents of peace and collaboration that make the world more peaceful and harmonious," she said.

Indonesia Channel 2023 is an event for BSBI participants in 2023 to show their skills in cultural arts after participating in a 2-month introduction to Indonesian arts and culture program in a number of art studios in Indonesia.

This year, BSBI was attended by 45 participants from 32 countries. Since it was first held 20 years ago, BSBI has produced 1,024 alumni from 83 countries. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi expressed her appreciation for the role of the Indonesian diaspora in supporting efforts to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic that hit Indonesia in 2020. However, according to her, in the midst of post-pandemic recovery efforts that are currently being implemented, the global situation has experienced quite alarming changes.

"In addition to security instability in several regions of the world, the impact of climate change and a less encouraging economic situation are also of concern to all of us," she said in a speech at the 7th Indonesian Diaspora Congress, Saturday (12/8), in Jakarta, which was read out by Expert Staff for Socio-Cultural Affairs and Empowerment of Indonesian Communities Abroad, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah.

Foreign Minister Retno said that these challenges will be easier to overcome if all parties work together to find solutions towards better conditions for the community.

"Solidarity and cooperation is the only way we can get out of the problems we face," she said.

Retno added that in facing global conditions and the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045, the development of human resources (HR) is the key to Indonesia's future development. According to her, the Indonesian government is currently conducting national talent management as a form of human resource development and management.

"The goal is to provide Indonesian human resources that are productive and highly competitive," she said.

Therefore, Retno said, the Indonesian government is committed to providing attention and support for the Indonesian diaspora as the nation's assets.

"The Indonesian diaspora is also expected to be an asset for the development of Indonesian human resources, helping to identify diaspora talents with achievements as well as helping to identify centers of excellence in countries where diasporas live for the development of our talents from within the country," she said. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi considers the implementation of the Indonesian Diaspora Congress to be held at the right time. According to her, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently initiating a Road Map to increase the role of the diaspora in national development. At the same time, the Ministry of National Development Planning and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) will also include policies to strengthen the role of the diaspora in national development in the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

"This effort is expected to later become a guide for ministries and institutions in Indonesia as well as other stakeholders to maximally increase the role of the diaspora in various sectors such as the economy and socio-culture," she said in a speech at the 7th Indonesian Diaspora Congress, Saturday (12/8), in Jakarta, read by Expert Staff for Socio-Culture and Empowerment of Indonesian Communities Abroad, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah.

Retno added that the recovery of various sectors after the pandemic in Indonesia requires contributions from various parties. According to her, this effort is not easy considering the global situation that is still full of challenges.

"We always try to invite all parties to move together towards a better situation. This will certainly become easier if Indonesia's image in the eyes of the international community is relatively good," she said.

She explained that the image in question is not only through advertising impressions in various media, but will be more meaningful with the recognition of the superiority of Indonesian products and the quality of Indonesian human resources.

"Of course, it is also the result of the contribution of the Indonesian diaspora. Increasing the excellence of Indonesian production can also be assisted by the Indonesian diaspora through efforts to build cooperation and expand the export reach of Indonesian products through networking Indonesian diasporas investing in Indonesia," she said.

In addition, she also hopes that the diaspora contribution is not only centered on the economic sector but also in various sectors according to the capacity of the diaspora. According to her, the diaspora can continue to contribute in shaping a positive image of Indonesia to support national development through the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said Suriname is a country with the most Javanese population in the South America and Caribbean region. According to him, the Javanese population has built a culture in Surinamese society, including a culture of hard work and mutual cooperation.

"People of Javanese descent also have a role in strengthening economic, social, cultural, religious, artistic, sports, and political development in Suriname," he said in a speech at the 133rd anniversary of the migration of Javanese people to Suriname, at the Sana Budaya building, Josef Israel Straat, Paramaribo, Tuesday (8/8), as conveyed by the Indonesian Embassy in Paramaribo in an official statement received on Thursday (10/8).

Furthermore, he said Suriname is a country consisting of various ethnicities, languages, and religions. He also advised Surinamese citizens of Javanese descent to continue working and contributing to the development and progress of Suriname.

Besides being attended by the President of Suriname, the 133rd Anniversary of Javanese Migration to Suriname was also attended by Minister of Education Science and Culture Henry Ori, community leaders of Javanese descent, and the Suriname Javanese Community Association.

At the commemoration organized by the association of Javanese descendants in Suriname, known as Vereniging Herdenking Javaanse Immigratie (VHJI), the book 133 Jaar Jawa Suriname was also launched.

"This book contains essays about the life of Javanese descendants in Suriname," wrote the Indonesian Embassy.

The book is part of the Grant Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Suriname for the Welfare of Surinamese People of Indonesian Descent in 2021 through VHJI, worth USD100,000.

"In addition to the documentation center located in the Sana Budaya building area, the Sana Budaya Building itself is an assistance from the Government of Indonesia which was inaugurated by former President Soeharto on October 28, 1995," wrote the Indonesian Embassy in Paramaribo.

In his remarks, Indonesian Ambassador Julang Pujianto expressed his highest appreciation to the Javanese community in Suriname, especially VHJI, which has helped preserve Javanese culture and traditions. He also expressed his commitment to continue strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Suriname.

In addition to the book launch, a wreath was also laid at the Sana Budaya gunungan monument. The wreaths were laid by the President of the Republic of Suriname, the Minister of Education Science and Culture of the Republic of Suriname, the Indonesian Ambassador to Suriname, and the Chairman of VHJI.

"The VHJI also organized a night market selling traditional Javanese food, batik clothes, and other accessories nuanced with Indonesian Javanese traditions," the Indonesian Embassy wrote.

There were at least 32,956 Javanese residents who came to Suriname in the period 1890-1939. The first wave of Javanese arrivals to Suriname was on August 9, 1890. Therefore, people of Javanese descent in Suriname always remember and commemorate August 9, 2023 as the day of Javanese migration to Suriname. (VOI/Andy)