Indonesia Promotes Cultures in Many Countries

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Culture Minister, Fadli Zon, has called on the Indonesian Students Association of the World (PPI Dunia) to strengthen collaboration in promoting Indonesian culture in various countries. He made the statement during a meeting with the PPI Dunia leadership for the 2025–2026 term at the Ministry of Culture office in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Fadli said Indonesian students living abroad have a strategic role to play as cultural ambassadors and government partners in advancing Indonesia’s national culture. He said the collaboration is in line with the Indonesian Constitution’s mandate to promote national culture on the world stage.

“The state advances Indonesia’s national culture amid global civilization while ensuring that people can preserve and develop their cultural values,” Fadli said, quoting Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution. He added that the Directorate General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion and Cooperation is part of the government’s efforts to fulfill this mandate.

Fadli also emphasized that cooperation with Indonesian students and the Indonesian diaspora abroad is one of the government’s priorities in cultural diplomacy. “Cooperation with PPI Dunia and the Indonesian diaspora abroad is also one of our priorities,” he said.

The Ministry of Culture has also opened opportunities for Indonesian student associations in various countries to propose cultural programs through available support schemes, including the Dana Indonesiana cultural fund. Fadli said the programs should not only involve Indonesian communities abroad but also engage local communities to introduce Indonesian culture more widely.

“The activities should not be only for Indonesians, but precisely for local communities, which is what we hope for,” Fadli said. He added that cultural activities organized by Indonesian student associations could serve as a platform to introduce Indonesian culture to international communities.

During the meeting, PPI Dunia also presented plans for the 18th International PPI Dunia Symposium, which is scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, in September. PPI Dunia Coordinator Andika Ibrahim Nasution said the organization currently represents around 280,000 Indonesian students studying in various countries.

Andika said PPI Dunia is ready to strengthen long-term cooperation with the Ministry of Culture through various programs in their respective countries. “We are ready to promote the Ministry of Culture and all of its programs through Indonesian student associations in different countries,” he said.

Fadli also presented plans for collaboration to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Sheikh Yusuf al-Makassari, an Indonesian national hero who is also recognized as a national hero of South Africa. The Ministry of Culture plans to develop a cultural center and museum dedicated to Sheikh Yusuf in Cape Town, with Indonesian student networks in South Africa expected to help introduce his legacy to the international community.