RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has brought the ideas of pioneering thinker Raden Ajeng Kartini to the global stage through an event at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, highlighting her enduring influence on education and gender equality.

The event, titled Kartini Letters: A Spark in the Memory of the World, organized by the Indonesian Permanent Delegation at the UNESCO, alongside the Netherlands’ delegation, drew around 100 participants to explore her writings and ideas.

Indonesian Ambassador to UNESCO Mohammad Oemar described Kartini as a visionary who saw education as the foundation of women’s empowerment. “Kartini believed that education is the foundation of emancipation. Through her thoughts, she showed that women’s empowerment is not only about social justice, but also the key to building an inclusive and sustainable society,” he said on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Dutch Ambassador to UNESCO Monique van Daalen noted that Kartini’s letters reflect forward-thinking views on women’s roles and the importance of girls’ access to education, issues that remain central to UNESCO’s mission today.

The program also featured a discussion of the book The Most Beautiful Letters from Kartini with Lara Nuberg and Feba Sukmana, offering deeper insight into Kartini’s critiques of colonialism and restrictions on women. Participants described Kartini as an inspiring pioneer of feminism, particularly relevant amid ongoing global struggles for women’s rights.

Kartini’s letters were inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2025, marking global recognition of Indonesia’s intellectual heritage on equality, education, and human rights. Through the event, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and contributing to global efforts toward gender equality. ***