UPH Department of International Relations hosted ?Economic Diplomacy Challenges of Indonesia in 21st Century? Seminar

(L-R) Susy Tekunan, I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, Soemadi Brotodiningrat, Dr. Makmur Keliat and Prof. Aleksius

UPH Department of International Relations, together with UPH Center for International Trade and Investment and supported by Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a seminar in series of research project signed earlier. The seminar was held at UPH Karawaci Campus, Building D, 1^st Floor on Friday, 3 July 2015. The seminar raised the topic of ?Economic Diplomacy Challenges of Indonesia in 21^st Century?.

The seminar featured three distinguished speakers: Ambassador Soemadi Brotodiningrat, Former Ambassador of Indonesia to United States, Japan, and International Organizations, Ambassador I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, First Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN and Chairman of Economic Diplomacy Taskforce of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Makmur Keliat, Senior Lecturer of International Relations, Universitas Indonesia. Prof. Aleksius Jemadu, Ph.D., Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences moderated the seminar and acted as the discussant together with Susy Tekunan, M.A., MBA., Department Head of International Relations, UPH.

Ambassador Soemadi pointed out that Indonesia is facing a lot of economic challenges internally and externally. In today?s world, countries are not focusing only on trade in goods, but a lot of aspects such as services, intellectual property rights, environment, etc., and in tackling these issues, Indonesia together with other countries at different international foraface what we may call a ?spaghetti bowl? phenomena. He also emphasized the importance of national interests to be the main rationale behind each action, especially economic diplomacy of Indonesia.

Right after Ambassador Soemadi, Ambassador Ngurah shared his optimism about Indonesia?s economic potential, yet agreed that Indonesia faces a lot of challenges. ?I think our diplomats from Ministry of Foreign Affairs have done quite impressive job in marketing Indonesia, however the main challenges rely on our domestic issues such as bureaucracy for licensing, overlapping licenses, infrastructure, good governance, and unstable policies?, said Ambassador Ngurah. He also pointed out changes in the mindset of the Indonesians to be an ?export-oriented? country instead of anti-import country is crucial in addressing and strengthening Indonesia?s economic diplomacy.

Dr. Makmur Keliat in turn shared his view on the issue. He reminded us that there are 3 main ideas on diplomacy, which are Grotian, Machiavelian, and Kantian. All three should be combined and used strategically in achieving Indonesia?s national interest through economic diplomacy. Dr. Makmur also emphasized on the importance of human resources in building a country. ?A nation can be destroyed physically, but if the people are strong, it would be easy for a nation to reclaim their position in international world. Germany did it two times, all due to their human resources?, said Dr. Makmur.

The Participants of ?Economic Diplomacy Challenges of Indonesia in 21st Century? Seminar

Responding the speakers, Susy Tekunan addressed that now the world has changed. Diplomacy now is no longer used as a tool to achieve political goal through economic means, but can be both ways. Prof. Aleksius highlighted the importance of coordination between lines or ministries in order to achieve national interests. The current structure of Indonesia where there is separation between Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs is not a bad thing, as long as policy alignments are well organized and interministerial coordination by superior agency is rigorously accomplished. Problems occur when Indonesia has no grand design of economic diplomacy.

The seminar attended by 80 participants from various backgrounds, such as students, academicians, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and researchers.(IR)

UPH Media Relations