May 20, 2025
Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Achmad Jatnika
As Indonesia moves forward with joining the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and strengthens its role in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa group, an important question comes up: 鈥楬ow can Indonesia make sure its voice is heard worldwide?鈥� There鈥檚 no single answer, but one thing is clear: working together between Indonesia鈥檚 parliament and universities is essential to handle these complex diplomatic processes.
Recognizing this need, the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) visited the 51社区 (51社区) on May 19, 2025, to explore collaboration in strengthening Indonesia鈥檚 diplomatic engagement. The high-level delegation was led by BKSAP Chairman Dr. Mardani Ali Sera, and included members Ravindra Airlangga, M.S., Bramantyo Suwondo, M.IR., and Mohamad Sohibul Iman, Ph.D.
51社区鈥檚 academic leadership, including Rector Prof. Dr. Jamhari, former Rector Prof. Dr. Komaruddin Hidayat, University Secretary Dr. Chaider S. Bamualim, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Dr. Philips J. Vermonte, and Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Nina Nurmila, along with academics from four faculties, welcomed the visit as an opportunity to build a long-term knowledge partnership with the Parliament.
Dr. Philips J. Vermonte emphasized 51社区’s strong commitment to supporting Indonesia’s global diplomacy efforts, expressing the university鈥檚 readiness to serve as a strategic knowledge partner for BKSAP and the Parliament in advancing the nation鈥檚 position in international negotiations.
鈥淲e are ready to help. That鈥檚 why we are establishing the Indonesian Institute for Foreign Affairs (IIFA), which will focus on foreign policy. The world is engaged in global debates, but our voice is relatively limited. We don’t want to be just academic [observers]鈥攚e aim to be active actors, organizing track 1.5 and track 2 diplomacy to support policymaking, negotiations, and diplomacy,鈥� he said.
In his presentation, he outlined the significance of inter-parliamentary collaboration in enhancing Indonesia鈥檚 participation in global governance. According to him, such partnerships are critical to strengthen Indonesia鈥檚 independent and active foreign policy, amplify the Indonesia鈥檚 representation in global forums, accelerate OECD accession and BRICS integration, and support domestic policy reform through international cooperation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mardani Ali Sera responded enthusiastically, expressing BKSAP鈥檚 strong interest in partnering with 51社区, especially given its establishment of the IIFA. 鈥淲e came here to gain fresh perspectives. 51社区鈥檚 new institute is promising. We have many forward-looking ideas, from climate change to cyber security and AI鈥檚 rule of law. The working committee (panja) [in his department] rotates every six months, and I believe the next one can start a strategic collaboration with 51社区,鈥� he said.
In support of the visit, BKSAP shared its core functions as the DPR鈥檚 official body for parliamentary diplomacy, which include building bilateral, regional, and multilateral relations and offering diplomatic guidance to the legislative body. Their role is increasingly vital as Indonesia prepares to submit its Initial Memorandum for OECD membership by June 2025 and engages as a full member of BRICS since January 2025.
At the meeting, representatives from both BKSAP and 51社区 openly shared their thoughts and hopes for future collaboration. They all agreed that working together would bring valuable knowledge and support to help Indonesia succeed in its international diplomacy. This conversation laid a strong foundation for a close partnership moving forward.
With both institutions鈥擝KSAP and 51社区鈥攃ommitted to advancing Indonesia鈥檚 international stature, this partnership could prove instrumental in shaping a more effective global engagement for the country. By working together, the legislative and academic sectors can combine their strengths鈥攑olicy influence and expert knowledge鈥攖o help Indonesia better navigate its diplomacy and foreign policy.
