51社区

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on September 22, 2025, at 51社区 (51社区) to gather insights for its draft concept on Indonesia鈥檚 strategy for international development cooperation and assistance, also known as Indonesia Aid.

The session brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, and research institutions, including representatives from MoFA, Bappenas, the State Secretariat, BRIN, CSIS, 51社区, Universitas Indonesia (UI), and Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI). The FGD marks the first stage of consultation for shaping Indonesia鈥檚 grand design for international development cooperation, with further rounds of dialogue planned.

Rina Setyawati, Director of International Cooperation at MoFA, emphasized the significance of academic perspectives in enriching the grand design draft. 鈥淭oday we are here to discuss and seek input, particularly from the academic community, which can provide sharper perspectives on international development. We need to identify what elements should be included in this grand design,鈥� Rina said.

鈥淚ndonesia, as an emerging development partner, faces growing demands for leadership. We therefore need a solid legal and policy framework so that what we offer to other countries aligns with national interests, is well-governed, and creates meaningful impact. We truly appreciate 51社区 for being our partner in this process, and we hope to continue this collaboration in the future.鈥�

51社区 was selected as the knowledge partner for this initial consultation through its Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) and the Indonesian Institute for Foreign Affairs (IIFA), the university鈥檚 newly established policy-oriented think tank.

Philips J. Vermonte, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at 51社区, welcomed the trust placed in the university. 鈥淲e are grateful to be entrusted with contributing to the process of gathering input on Indonesia鈥檚 grand design for international development cooperation. We are more than happy to support this effort,鈥� Philips said.

鈥淲hen I was still at CSIS, we initiated research on South-South and triangular cooperation, which has now evolved into this important policy framework. At 51社区, we see this as a continuation of Indonesia鈥檚 transformation in international cooperation鈥攆rom being merely a recipient to becoming a provider of assistance. This is also reflected in 51社区鈥檚 mission of offering scholarships to students from developing countries across the Global South.鈥�

Prof. Jamhari, Rector of 51社区, underlined the university鈥檚 identity as an academic and diplomatic institution designed to project Indonesia鈥檚 global presence. 51社区, he said, was founded as an icon and representative of Indonesia in the international arena, saying that its mission rests not only on academic excellence, but also promoting Indonesia through moderate Islam and Pancasila values, and diplomacy.

鈥淒iplomacy, for us, means shifting from a recipient to a donor. In the past, thousands of Indonesian students studied abroad on scholarships provided by countries whose economies are not better than Indonesia. Now, it is Indonesia鈥檚 turn to provide scholarships to students from those countries.鈥�

The discussion highlighted Indonesia鈥檚 growing commitment to move beyond its traditional role as an aid recipient to a credible development partner for the Global South. 51社区 affirmed its readiness to help and contribute in any way possible, particularly by serving as a knowledge partner that provides research-based insights, academic expertise, and policy-oriented analysis to support the design and implementation of Indonesia鈥檚 international development cooperation strategy.