Head of the Agency for Policy Research and Development at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Siswo Pramono noted in a statement received by Antara here on Tuesday that Indonesianists can be defined as foreigners who understand and love Indonesian culture.
"In the midst of today`s global developments and with the rapid progress of Indonesia, it is time to give greater attention to Indonesianists to channel their attention and interests to Indonesia," Pramono noted at the opening of the event held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Udayana University, Tuesday.
He added that the World Indonesianist Forum was the right activity to bring together Indonesianists from all over the world to channel their attention to Indonesia.
According to Pramono, Indonesianists are also foreigners having a special interest in Indonesia and an academic specialty about Indonesia in addition to being constantly involved in the development of Indonesia intellectually.
Some 200 Indonesianists from various countries comprising academics, researchers, students, as well as arts and cultural activists are participating in the forum, held on October 29-30, 2018.
Among the participants, 145 are millennial Indonesianists from 43 countries, such as the United States, Australia, Botswana, Czech Republic, Hungary, and China. Currently, they are studying at various universities in Indonesia.
The main theme of the forum "the Role of Millennial Generation" is discussed during the plenary discussions and workshops with three sub-themes: Building World Peace: Indonesia`s Contribution to a Peaceful World; Indonesia`s Achievement in Science, Technology and Development; and Promoting and Preserving Indonesia`s Rich Culture.
At the plenary sessions, the participants also discuss the Future of Indonesianists.
The international forum also features various Indonesian arts and cultural performances, batik making process, and gamelan performances by several Indonesianists.
Reporter: Libertina W. Ambari
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
