New Zealand Week, a series of festivities aimed at increasing Indonesian public awareness about New Zealand, began Monday with a range of events to continue through Wednesday
New Zealand Week, a series of festivities aimed at increasing Indonesian public awareness about New Zealand, began Monday with a range of events to continue through Wednesday.
The events, sponsored by the New Zealand Embassy, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Pacivis University of Indonesia (PUI) will include an address by New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Phillip Gibson, a photo exhibition, information on studying in New Zealand and film screenings.
Rhiannon Horrell, a student from New Zealand doing an internship in Jakarta, said the event was a good idea because Indonesians and New Zealanders knew very little about one another.
"There are a lot of misconceptions, I think," she said.
"A lot of *Indonesian students* wonder about the treatment of Muslims in New Zealand.
"There were a lot of really nice students who wanted to be my friend on Facebook and said to me, *You're the only New Zealander I've ever met.'"
New Zealand Embassy second secretary for political affairs, James Waite, said the purpose of the event was to raise the county's profile among Indonesian students.
"It's a good public diplomacy opportunity for us to raise New Zealand's profile on the PUI campus," Waite said. "*The students* are going to become Indonesian leaders, business and government figures when they graduate, so it's a good group to target."
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.