VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Today and tomorrow, December 6 and 7, ten ministers and a head of state (from Nauru), will attend the Bali Democracy Forum- BDF 2018. This year the annual event, held  by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enters its 11th year.

The years 2017 and 2018 are special because Indonesia managed to open two BDF Chapters, one for Africa in Tunisia and one for Europe in Berlin, Germany. These two Chapters or branches were formed because of the interest of countries in Africa and Europe in the dialogue surrounding the challenges of contemporary democracy which have apparently increased. However, the type of problem handling cannot be the same because each continent has a different history of problems.

Europe for example, discussed the challenges of contemporary migration and how democratic values can prioritize humanity and human rights although political and social costs cannot be fully predicted. While in  Africa, the issue is fair governance.

This year the Bali Democracy Forum is themed, "Democracy and Welfare." Most countries in the world consider democracy to be the best system of hope. How do democratic countries achieve prosperity? Maybe that will be discussed by participants in the Bali Democracy Forum in two days.

Indeed,  the purpose a country is established is for the welfare of its people. In the Democratic system the state is managed with inclusive participation from the community. In this case the democratic system must also be able to answer aspects of the state's goals, namely welfare.

Every democratic country has its own experience in developing democracy. Democracy grows and develops in each country in a different way. Therefore, there is actually no similar democracy formula that can be applied in all countries.

For eleven years Indonesia has been successfully  organized the forum for democracy. Not to patronize other countries on  how to practice  democracy, but to provide opportunities for various countries to share democratic experiences. Hopefully the Bali Democracy Forum 2018 will also be a  success.

The commitment of Indonesian citizens abroad to preserve the values of Pancasila continues to be fostered. Pancasila values are guidelines, philosophies, and life views of the nation and state. This was expressed by President of the Indonesian Diaspora Network-United (IDN-United), Herry Utomo in the Pancasila Week event in Melbourne, Australia (28/11). As quoted by tempo.co, Herry Utomo said that the values of Pancasila must be implanted in the Indonesian diaspora and future generations as a form of love for the homeland, Indonesia.

The week event of Pancasila is a series of workshops, dialogues and seminars from 28 November to 1 December 2018. The event was also attended by members of the Steering Committee of the Pancasila Ideology Development Board (BPIP), Mahfud MD as the speaker at the event. He said that the history of Pancasila and the importance of Pancasila values are the fortress to prevent radicalism. He remarked that there has been an effort to eradicate the Pancasila ideology so that it needs socialization and guidance for the Indonesian citizens not only in the country but also abroad.

Meanwhile, Member of the House of Representatives, Daryatmo Mardiyanto in the absorption of community aspirations with the theme "Stabilization of Pancasila Ideology" at United Futsal Singocandi, Kudus, Central Java (29/11), as quoted by tribunews.com, viewed that rural communities have applied more values that contained in the Pancasila. The values are mutual cooperation, togetherness and tolerance. He also said that the communities, especially those who live in villages, are very familiar with cooperation.

Member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of the Republic of Indonesia at the Regional Election of Bangka Belitung (Babel), Bahar Buasan calls for all Indonesian people, especially Bangka Belitung people to strengthen the values of Pancasila in their environment. He views that the values of Pancasila must be taught mainly to the family. As quoted by Posbelitung.co, Bahar Buasan said that families play a major role in establishing Pancasila values in their activities. Take for example; they participate in ongoing socialization activities. Thus, the communities are able to re-practice the Pancasila in people's lives. Pancasila needs to be re-instilled from the family so that it can be understood and practiced in daily life. Bahar Buasan also explained that strengthening Pancasila values in people's lives at this time is very necessary because the national challenges to be faced by Indonesia in the future are even greater. He also added that strengthening Pancasila values could fortify itself from various negative influences from both internal and external, such as the rapid flow of globalization.

Mosaic of Archipelago presents information as follows: Ngawi residents discover ancient elephant ivory fossil; hydroponic plant is for Citarum river preservation; and songket-embroidery mix is displayed in Revealed Minangkabau.

Residents of Pelang Lor village, Kedunggalar district, Ngawi regency, East Java discovered fossilized ancient elephant’s ivory. According to Suyatno – a resident of Pelang Lor, the fossil was discovered when the people were digging land for septic tank on Monday (3/12). The ancient ivory fossil is predicted to be 120 centimeters long with 10 centimeter diameter. Sangiran Museum official, Juwita Nugraha who came to the location confirmed that it was really ancient elephant ivory fossil. More precisely, it came from a predictably 700 thousand years old Stegodon. The fossil is brought to Trinil Museum in Ngawi for conservation and further research.

Next information is hydroponic plants for Citarum River preservation. Academicians of Mercu Buana University introduced hydroponic plantation for Citarum River preservation. Head of Mercu Buana’s Community Service, Inge Hutagalung in a written statement received by Antara News Agency in Jakarta on Monday said that the introduction is aimed to make people more aware on the importance of preserving the ecosystem. Greening can function as environment’s regulator and protector. Hydroponic itself is planting without soil which prioritizes mix of water and nutrition as medium.

Last information of Mosaic of Archipelago is Songket-Embroidery mix displayed in Revealed Minangkabau. Nusantara Marandang Festival held in Jakarta on Sunday, besides delicious cuisine of Minangkabau, also presented arts and culture exhibition, including fashion. Two Minang designers: Emi Arlin and Rona Rahayu Yunus exhibited their works. Fashion show dubbed “Revealed Minangkabau” focused on two most prominent textile of West Sumatera: songket and embroidery. They assimilate Minangkabau fashion heritage with more courageous and modern concept. Erni on Monday said, songket and embroidery which previously were identical to customs, are now presented aesthetically and suitably for modern women.

Rona added that since hundreds of years ago, songket and embroidery have been inseparable part of Minangkabau culture. Meanwhile, West Sumatra Chapter National Handicraft Council Chairman, Nevi Zuairina stated their support for creative people who want to bring Minangkabau culture forward. She said, fashion is one of important industries in Indonesian creative industry development which contributes 30 percent of the whole creative industry sector to the national gross domestic product.

Welcome back to Diplomatic Corner, presenting information on Indonesian diplomacy, both domestically and internationally.

First information is from Manado, North Sulawesi. Navigation security in South China Sea is the interest and responsibility of all countries and the sides that use one of the most crowded sea lanes in the world. Therefore, every user of South China Sea must ensure effective communication system, especially for search and rescue, sea connectivity development, research and science & maritime equipment development, as well as human resource competence in maritime sector. This statement came up during ASEAN-China on Safety of Navigation and Communication in the South China Sea held by Indonesian Foreign Affair Ministry’s ASEAN Cooperation Directorate General in Manado, North Sulawesi on November 30 – December 1.

Director General of ASEAN Cooperation, Jose Tavares opened the workshop and expected it to enable countries around South China Sea to cooperate in guaranteeing safety and efficiency for all shipping aspects in the region. Next is from Moscow, Russia. Sumatera Utara University collaborated with Peoples’ Friendship University of Russiaor RUDN University in Russia to further develop the medical science, agriculture, science and technology, law, and economy. The cooperation was agreed in the meeting of both universities’ rectors at RUDN University, Moscow on Wednesday (28/11).The cooperation included exchange of administration staff, lecturers, and students, joint research, new program creation, information exchange and publication, workshop, and conference. Last information came from the Belgium. Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium, Yuri O. Thamrin asked Indonesian people to know the rapid and fundamental change of the world, including in geopolitics and industrial revolution 4.0.  Ambassador Yuri Thamrin in his speech during Voters Education in Gent, Belgium on Saturday said that Indonesian people need to love the country, make more achievements, and keep being solid to be more respected internationally.