Two former state leaders told Indonesian youth to help bring about world peace, considering the country’s huge number of young people, at a conference on Saturday.

Former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono encouraged youth to become diplomats and help to establish peace.

“War is the last resort. Conducting a war is justified if the sovereignty and integrity of our country is threatened. If it is only ‘small friction’ among countries, diplomacy is needed,” Yudhoyono told the audience at the conference.

“So the role of diplomats becomes very important. All of you need to know about international relations, the art of diplomacy and foreign policies. If you have already comprehended them, practice them earnestly.”

Yudhoyono was speaking at the closing session of the Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy (CIFP) 2016, which was organized by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI).

Founded by former ambassador Dino Patti Djalal, the FPCI brought to the stage many influential people from Indonesia and abroad. The community conveyed a message of peace to thousands of participants — including students, lecturers, ambassadors, entertainers, entrepreneurs and government officials.

Meanwhile, former Timor Leste leader Xanana Gusmao said Indonesia had more human resources than his country, which created a big opportunity for Indonesians to promote world peace.

“It is hard for Timor Leste, with a population of only about 1 million people, to participate in creating peace in the world. Here in Indonesia, there are more than 200 million people [...] Civil society [in Indonesia], do not just shout. Please help. Please participate in establishing world peace,” Gusmao said.

Apart from Yudhoyono and Gusmao, many other speakers conveyed messages relevant to their fields.

The CIFP comprised 20 parallel sessions covering a wide variety of issues.

For example, Go-Jek CEO Nadiem Makarim and Blue Bird business development vice president Noni Purnomo spoke in a session on “three global trends that Indonesia must know about and get ready for”.

Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara, Foreign Ministry director general for ASEAN cooperation Jose Tavares and Antara news agency president director Meidyatama Suryodiningrat were among the speakers at the conference.

Other sessions focused on new threats such as the Islamic State (IS) movement, terrorism, piracy and drug syndicates.

University of Indonesia defense expert Andi Widjajanto said the world expected Indonesia to fight terror threats as it had the largest Muslim-majority population.

Aries A. Arugay from the Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS) Philippines said Indonesia and the Philippines faced the same challenges in combating global terrorism.

“A key to solving the problem is good governance. Our bureaucracy is not professional enough to address the issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, the organizer received an award from the Indonesian Museum of Records for conducting the world’s largest conference on foreign policy, with 5,800 people registered for the event. (vny)

Popular

Volcano erupts in North Sulawesi, hundreds evacuated

Dubai roads, airport reel from floods after record rains

Ramadan boosts consumer confidence, retail sales