UNAIR NEWS – Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi was welcomed by 700 students in Universitas Airlangga. The event titled with Diplomacy Festival or DiploFest and Retno became the first female foreign affairs minister speaking on this show. The talkshow took place at Garuda Mukti Hall of Management Office Campus C UNAIR, Saturday 24 November 2018.
DiploFest at Universitas Airlangga was attended by 700 public and private university students in Surabaya.
The talkshow opened with question & answer session regarding Indonesia’s support for Palestine by Foreign Minister and students who were mostly from International Relations program.
On that occasion, Retno invited all participants to give support for Palestine over the conflict that occurred with Israel. This support is one of the part for constitutional mandate. She said that it is for supporting justice.
“Palestine conflict is one of ongoing injustice problem and it became a human rights problem according to international law and resolution from UN Security Council. We must support Palestine” said Retno.
On that occasion, Retno also said that in the eyes of the world, Indonesia was known as a good friend with a lot of countries. We dont want to find enemies. So, that is why we have a good reputation in the world.
One of the real examples, Indonesia was chosen as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council in June 2018. Indonesia received 144 out of 190 votes. With that being said, Indonesia was trusted to be in UN Security Council again.
“We are a great nation. A great nation must ready to compete with other countries. I am sure that all of Surabaya student with patriotism and tolerance can make Indonesia bigger and stronger, ” she said.
Meanwhile, Rector UNAIR Prof. Moh Nasih also urges students to learn about foreign policy, not only domestic affairs, but also foreign affairs.
“This world has a lot of windows. I’m sure we can’t see all in windows. Both negative and positive. Through this activity we want students learn broadly about our current world situation. So, they have broader understanding of what has been done and what still needs to be done, “said Prof. Nasih.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno Marsudi with students at Diplomacy Festival in Universitas Airlangga on Saturday, 24 November 2018. (Photo: Binti Q. Masruroh)
“I hoped this talkshow will give insights and knowledge, especially related to diplomacy and foreign affairs, so students can be wise, well-educated and positively going forward,” she added.
UNAIR Rector hoped there will be a good cooperation in the future between Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Universitas Airlangga. So, students can contribute on foreign affairs realm in the future.
Targeting Surabaya youth as participants, DiploFest is an activity initiated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a manifestation of President Joko Widodo’s vision of Nawacita through grounded diplomacy to provide maximum benefit for society. Surabaya was chosen because of the large number of students.
Through DiploFest, Ministry of Foreign Affairs wanted student to learn more about diplomat’s duties in international organization and the world. (*)
Author: Binti Q. Masruroh
