"This diplomacy is actually for the long term. The investments we build through good relations, the introduction of Indonesian culture to younger generation are aimed at the long term," the ministry's spokesperson, Teuku Faizasyah, said at a media briefing on the program here on Wednesday.
The scholarship program is meant for young people from abroad who are interested in studying Indonesian art and culture, he explained.
"BSBI is the flagship of the ministry's sociocultural program and provides scholarships to young people from various countries to bring them closer to Indonesian art and culture so that they can get the best experience in the life of Indonesian people," Faizasyah said.
The ministry is hoping that the participants who complete the program can become ambassadors who can introduce Indonesian art and culture in their respective countries.
"So, we hope that after they have gained valuable experience for two months in the country and studied art and others, when they return to their homeland, they can become representatives of Indonesia in their countries," he added.
In addition, the program is expected to strengthen relations between Indonesian people and people from other countries so that they can have a good influence on one another.
"Through this investment in people-to-people relations, we hope that there will be good, positive influence that they will bring back to their respective homelands," Faizasyah said.
For this year's BSBI program, 5 studios have partnered with the ministry to introduce Indonesian arts and culture to 45 participants from 32 countries, he informed.
The studios comprise Kutai Kartanegara Gubang Art Community Studio, Semarandana Bali Art Studio, Langlang Buana Banyuwangi Studio, DKI Jakarta Ayodya Pala Studio, and Syofyani Dance and Music Studio from Padang.
Meanwhile, the director of public diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yusron B. Ambary, said that the BSBI program has created many benefits for Indonesia, especially in cultural diplomacy.
"We get a lot of benefits from the participation of young people from various parts of the world," he stated.
After participating in the program and returning to their respective countries, foreign participants, help Indonesian representatives abroad in promoting various Indonesian arts and cultural activities in their countries, he expounded.
"So, if we check our representatives (abroad), the average participants in various Indonesian cultural programs abroad come from BSBI (program) participants," said the director.
Since the BSBI program was initiated in 2003, it has produced around 1,024 alumni from 83 countries, he highlighted.
He said he hopes that the alumni will become representatives of Indonesia in various parts of the world and continue to promote Indonesian arts and culture.
Related news: Ministry cooperates with six art schools to hold 2022 BSBI
Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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