Cultural Diplomacy Key to Stronger International Ties, Says Indonesian Minister
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that cultural diplomacy is an effective soft power for strengthening international relations.
- He emphasized culture's ability to foster dialogue, build trust, and create a foundation for sustainable international partnerships.
- The ministry is committed to expanding international cooperation through culture, citing a Morocco-Indonesia art event as an example.
Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has highlighted cultural diplomacy as a potent tool for enhancing international relations in an increasingly complex global geopolitical landscape. He asserted that culture possesses a unique capacity to create dialogue amidst differences and build trust amid global uncertainty.
Culture creates space for dialogue amidst various differences, builds trust amid uncertainty, and strengthens inter-community relations which are the foundation of sustainable international partnerships.
"Culture creates space for dialogue amidst various differences, builds trust amid uncertainty, and strengthens inter-community relations which are the foundation of sustainable international partnerships," Zon stated during a Morocco-Indonesia art event in Jakarta.
The Ministry of Culture is dedicated to broadening international cooperation, using culture as a bridge for friendship between nations. This aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's free and active foreign policy, which Zon believes should also guide cultural diplomacy. He expressed confidence that culture can foster mutual trust, strengthen inter-community and inter-state relations, and open opportunities in education, research, cultural industries, tourism, and the creative economy.
We believe that culture has a unique ability to build mutual trust, strengthen inter-community relations, relations between countries, and create opportunities for cooperation in education, research, cultural industries, tourism, and the creative economy.
As a practical example of cultural diplomacy, Zon pointed to the "Bridging Moroccan-Indonesian Civilizations" art event, a collaboration between his ministry and the Kingdom of Morocco. The event featured musical performances and highlighted how art forms like music and poetry serve as a universal language transcending borders. Zon anticipates such exchanges will cultivate mutual understanding and spark new collaborations, thereby strengthening the friendship between Indonesia and Morocco.
Through meetings like this, mutual understanding grows, new collaborations emerge, and the friendship between Indonesia and Morocco becomes even stronger.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.