"The number is above our target which is 3,000 people," M Wahid Supriyadi, the head of the foreign ministry`s Indonesian Diaspora Desk, told the press here on Sunday.
The participants represent 55 Indonesian diaspora networks in 26 countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Yemen, Kuwait and Sweden.
The theme of the Second Congress is "the Power of Harmony in Diversity: Unleashed Worldwide". The meeting will discuss a number of issues such as education, energy, good cities, Indonesian culinary, business and investment, as well as aircraft manufacturing.
The first congress of the Indonesian Diasporas was held in Los Angeles, California, the US, on July 6-8, 2012, which was attended by around 2,056 people. The theme of the first congress of Indonesian Diaspora was "Harmony in Diversity".
The Indonesian Diaspora in the US is more than 150 thousand people, and the largest number is believed to be in the Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Madagascar, Suriname, and South Africa.
They consist of various professions and activities, such as high-skilled workers, informal sector workers, politicians, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, innovators, contractors, oil and gas experts, ship crew, athletes, students, and religious figures.
The Indonesian Government currently is taking concrete steps to develop a strong partnership with the Indonesian Diaspora, and initiating the process of easing visa procedures, including by issuing special visas for Indonesian Diaspora members who are no longer Indonesian citizens.
Coinciding with the Second Congress, the Indonesian foreign ministry also organized a coordinating meeting on the protection of Indonesian nationals overseas.
The meeting was participated in by 300 people consisting of Indonesian Diasporas, regional government`s officials, academicians, journalists and NGO activists, Deputy Foreign Minister Wardana said earlier. ***1***
I028 (Fardah Assegaf/Andi Abdussalam )
(T.SYS/A/F001/A/A014) 18-08-2013 13:33:26
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
