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s the world’s third largest democracy and the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia has an obligation to take a proactive role in global affairs. Indeed, it is required to do so by its own constitution.

The nation, however, has always had an inward-looking tendency. Therefore, concerted efforts are required to ensure that Indonesians, especially the younger generation, are aware of the importance of foreign affairs.

Veteran career diplomat Dino Patti Djalal realizes the strategic importance of preparing Indonesian youth for the world of foreign policy and the challenges of globalization.

That is the reason the former vice foreign minister and former Indonesian ambassador to the US established the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) in 2014. The community is aimed at discussing foreign affairs in a way that is more acceptable for young people.

 “We are very active in campaigning for globalization at universities, ensuring that students realize that globalization is a necessity. They cannot escape from it. They have to face it and they have to win it,” Dino told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview.

Globalization is related to, among other things, technology and innovation. To attract young people, globalization must be explained in a way that young people find engaging.

“So far, foreign policy has been introduced in a rigid way. We want to make foreign policy fashionable,” said Dino, who obtained his doctorate from the London School of Economics.

Dino added that since 2015, as many as 13 FPCI chapters had been established across a number of universities, such as University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta and North Sumatra University in Medan.

Dino hopes that the 55 universities in Indonesia that have international relations programs will joi the FPCI.

It is easy to create a FPCI chapter. It only needs official permission from university authorities. After that, an agreement between the university and the FPCI will be made.

Through the chapter, students can ask for the FPCI’s help in arranging contacts with the Foreign Ministry.

“They can also ask for our help when they are writing papers related to international relations,” Dino said.

 Aside from reaching out to universities, the FPCI is also active in putting on conferences and hosting discussions on foreign policy in many parts of the country.

“In my trips to the regions, I found that many people feel they are far removed from foreign policy matters. They said it is just the concern of people in Jakarta,” Dino said.

Last week, the FPCI organized a forum during which many influential speakers, both Indonesians and foreigners, shared their views and thoughts.

Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and former President of Timor Leste and independence hero Xanana Gusmao were among the speakers at the conference.

Evi Fitriani, an international relations expert from University of Indonesia, said the FPCI needed to conduct regular public discussions to raise awareness of foreign policy matters among young students.

“The students need expertise, competence, credibility and connections to succeed in a globalized world,” Evi said last week.

She also suggested that the FPCI publish newletters and magazines.

“The FPCI also needs to conduct workshops on foreign policy and train young people in the skills of diplomacy,” she said. (vny)