Indonesia’s Diversity Seen as Strength in Faith-Based Diplomacy
- 05 Agt 2026 21:41 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See Michael Trias Kuncahyono highlighted faith-based diplomacy at UMY on August 5, 2026.
- Ambassador Trias underscored religious literacy as a crucial asset for diplomats alongside security and political expertise.
- Pope Francis frequently praises Indonesia’s core values of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika to international guests.
RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta – Indonesia’s rich cultural and religious diversity is increasingly recognized as a valuable asset in international diplomacy.
This perspective was highlighted by Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, Michael Trias Kuncahyono, during his keynote address at the 10th International Conference on Sustainable Innovation (ICoSI) 2026 at Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University (UMY) on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Ambassador Trias argued that conventional diplomacy often struggles to resolve conflicts rooted in religious identity, making faith-based approaches essential. He explained that religious diplomacy positions faith leaders and institutions as partners of the state, helping to facilitate dialogue and negotiation among conflicting parties.
Drawing on his experience as a journalist covering conflicts in the Middle East, including Iraq in 2003, Ambassador Trias noted that religious literacy is as important as expertise in security and politics for diplomats.
He also shared insights from his discussions with Pope Francis, who frequently refers to Indonesia’s values of Pancasila (Five Principles) and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) when meeting international guests.
“I told the Holy Father that Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands with many religions and ethnic groups, yet remains united,” Ambassador Trias said, as quoted by Antara, emphasizing that Indonesia’s harmonious diversity provides a strong foundation for faith-based diplomacy in global forums.
Ambassador Trias said, the goal of religious diplomacy is not to promote any single faith but to foster tolerance and build trust among communities. He concluded that such approaches can complement conventional diplomacy and contribute to a more peaceful world.
This perspective positions Indonesia as a potential leader in faith-based diplomacy, offering lessons on how pluralism and unity can be leveraged to address conflicts rooted in identity and belief. ***
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