THE 63RD DIES NATALIS OF UNIKA ATMA JAYA: TWO AMBASSADORS INVITED TO DISCUSS THE LEADERSHIP OF INDONESIA IN ASEAN

Jakarta, June 2 2023 – In the event of the 63^rd DIES NATALIS and as parts of the efforts to educate the nation, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia conducted a discussion session with 2 (two) Ambassadors and the Senior Advisor from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This event is one final part of the series of events of the 63^rd Dies Natalis of Unika Atma Jaya, which is intended to provide discussion platforms that allow for various points of views of both the Indonesian government and those of other countries.

The Rector of Unika Atma Jaya, Dr. Agustinus Prasetyantoko said in his opening remarks, “This discussion session is aimed to celebrate the leadership of Indonesia in the ASEAN Summit 2023. This event is hoped to provide the perspective and embolden the commitment of Unika Atma Jaya in educating the nation.

Furthermore, the Rector, who is also a reputable economist, noted that Unika Atma Jaya as an educational institution showed active involvement in the form of discussion sessions as a way to provide an avenue to promote the visions of Indonesia as part of the global society.

With the theme “Indonesia's Leaderships in ASEAN: In view towards the political year of 2024”, this event invites experts and ambassadors as the speakers in the seminar sessions of the final event of Dies Natalis, Friday (02/06): H.E. Nebojša Koharovic, the Ambassador of Croatia to Indonesia; H.E. Beata Stoczynska, the Ambassador of Poland to Indonesia; dan Foster Gultom, Senior Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

The Poland Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Beata Stoczynska, mentioned how Unika Atma Jaya indeed has a close and well-maintained relationship with Poland. She emphasized the importance of education for the Indonesian community, encouraging the Polish government to provide opportunities for Indonesian students to study further in Poland.

H.E. Beata Stoczynska also zoomed in on Indonesia’s track records so far. “We see Indonesia as a strong leader in South East Asia. To Poland, we haven’t explored much the Asian market, thereby giving way to businesses in Poland to expand themselves and find new economic opportunities here in this region,” said H.E. Beata Stoczynska.

A similar view is also shared by the Ambassador of Croatia to Indonesia, H.E. Nebojša Koharovic, who also pinpoints the soft-power potential possessed by Indonesia.

“Indonesia needs to introduce itself more at the global levels. The Indonesian culture is undeniably an appeal, thus making it one of the strengths of Indonesia,” she added.

In her view, there have been many misconceptions towards Indonesia, which actually have limitless potentials in many sectors. Indonesia should demonstrate its soft power to gain the recognition from the global community.

In the cordial discussion, the Senior Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foster Gultom highlighted how the relationships between Indonesia and both Poland and Croatia are very close regardless of the current global situations.

“Indonesia’s partnerships with both Poland Croatia have consistently grown, and we do not only establish partnerships at governmental levels but also in many other sectors,” Foster Gultom claimed.

Every organization surely has its unique characteristics, particularly in ASEAN, where we thrive to support each other as a community. The acceleration of economic development can therefore happen with the partnerships with other ASEAN countries and European nations.

“In this regard, Indonesia is committed to adhering to the free and active principles to stay independent,” Foster Gultom further noted.

Unika Atma Jaya, in the event of the 63^rd Dies Natalis, is always committed to contributing to the development of Indonesia. The international collaboration will surely be one of the foci of Unika Atma Jaya, which can eventually produce generations who are able to compete at the global level.