"In fostering bilateral cooperation, the future of cooperation between two countries lies in their younger generation," the ambassador said at the National Seminar on Politics and International Relations by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Wahid Hasyim University, Semarang, which was attended online, here on Tuesday.
In his presentation, Saripudin emphasized that educational diplomacy is crucial to continue efforts to strengthen Indonesia's bilateral relations with the younger generation as the successors of the nation.
"So, how do we pass the baton, pass it on, by educating young people. That's why we need educational diplomacy. That's its function," he said.
He said educational diplomacy was important to carry out in order to produce Indonesian lobbyists abroad in the future.
Educational diplomacy, he said, also needs to be pursued in order to produce Indonesian lobbyists at the international level.
This approach, he said, was inspired by how Barack Obama, as a child, viewed Indonesia as a microcosm of the world, then implemented his understanding of Indonesian values by strengthening relations with Indonesia when he served as President of the United States.
"This is an inspiration, that educational diplomacy is important, because once people are injected with Indonesian values, this will build an Indonesian lobbyist," he said.
Besides emphasizing the importance of educational diplomacy in strengthening Indonesia's bilateral relations with other countries, Saripudin also highlighted other priorities that the government wants to promote in Indonesia's future bilateral relations.
This includes Indonesia's commitment to continue participating in maintaining world order.
This commitment, he said, is based on the values of altruism that Indonesia continues to promote with the principle that Indonesia cannot live alone without support from other countries.
"We live in an international society, not standing alone, but side by side," he said.This commitment, he said, was reflected in the statement by Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, who emphasized the importance of increasing Indonesia's role on the global stage.
Foreign Minister Sugiono also emphasized the importance of sovereignty and international diplomacy, strengthening economic cooperation, protecting Indonesian citizens (WNI), and strengthening the role of the diaspora abroad as Indonesia's priorities for strengthening bilateral relations.
Related news: Indonesia pursues expediting implementation of PTA with Kenya
Related news: Indonesia, Kenya establish cooperation on health, vaccines
Related news: Minister Pandjaitan tours Africa to prepare for Jokowi's visit
Translator: Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
