-The two previous concepts make Indonesia a sort of deal-maker, a peace-maker or a bridge-builder as you prefer. Indonesia finds solutions to all sorts of issues. The problem is when Indonesia tries to act on the Palestinian issue it is not heard at all by major powers and in the Muslim world Indonesia is considered to be some sort of an exception, not a mainstream country. Indonesian influence is low.
So it is clear that Indonesian foreign policy has followed a lot of different concepts. Some are interesting. Some are naive or out of touch. Both local and international experts and diplomats say that Indonesian influence and global clout is weak. Of course if you want to bring Indonesia to the world it won’t be done through empty concepts, expert views or old style foreign policy and diplomats!
You need to be creative. I believe Indonesia can revolutionize foreign policy, country projection and invent a new model. So what should be done?
First it is about recognizing Indonesian strengths and weaknesses. Everyone seems to recognize the weaknesses and to recognize the wrong strengths or not think about using them in the right way. We have already talked about what is said about Indonesia’s lack of military power or global influence.
So what are the Indonesian assets that can be used to project Indonesia to the world?
Civil society of course and particularly young and creative people. They must become the new diplomats of Indonesia in the world. So it’s not about asking them their opinion to build a foreign policy and surveying them. It is about giving them the keys.
Indonesia must be seen by the world through its young and creative people. They must become the door to Indonesia. I mean look at South Korea. South Korea gains tremendously from the globalization of its pop culture. Korea has become cool. Who would have thought that years ago when South Korea was the poorest country on earth? The gains are tremendous for South Korean brands, Korean tourism or simply South Korea attractiveness in all fields.
Indonesia can do better. It can do more. First because Indonesian youth probably surpasses the whole population of Korea. Then because Indonesia is more diverse and in my opinion has much more to show. Finally because Indonesia does not have North Korea to deal with every day!
Ok so we have the new ambassadors of Indonesia. Now how do they represent Indonesia? Well let me ask how did all the global singers and bands happen to know about Indonesia and come to perform in Jakarta in the first place? They were bombarded by young Indonesian fans on social media! Digital is the new weapon.
Young creative digital ambassadors. The door to Indonesia will be online through young achievers. Then of course reality needs to take over with young achievers being promoted and sent around the world to show the true Indonesia. That’s where the Korean strategy is useful. Many Indonesian companies are expanding or want to expand globally. What better ambassadors for them than young creative Indonesians? Korean artists promote Samsung products around the world.
Indonesia must create a digital army of young people with the face of that army being the young creative achievers. Indonesia is one of the biggest countries for hackers in the world. Why can it not become the first fully digital and youth projected country in the world? There is this big debate about youth wasting its time online with useless activities. Well isn’t promoting and projecting your country to the world something positive?
Youth is the future of Indonesia. Youth will make the future of Indonesia. If the talents among youth are used by Indonesia to grow and project itself to the world Indonesia will be irresistible. Indonesian youth must also take over its own destiny and lead its country. I do not accept the opinion of pessimistic experts who are out of touch with realities and possibilities. I believe in Indonesia. We just need a good vision. Go Indonesia!
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