Congress of Indonesia Diaspora

Congress of Indonesia Diaspora is an event aims to inspire Indonesian diaspora communities to connect and to unite themselves into one big community and create a tangible force in order to achieve a better Indonesia. The event also aims to foster and implement concrete initiatives to empower Indonesian communities worldwide.

CID will be a landmark event that can create a paradigm shift in what it means to be part of the Indonesian Diaspora in the 21st century. In the past, we have primarily focused on the role of Indonesian migrant workers, who remain an essential part of the Indonesian Diaspora, but do not reflect the full and diverse spectrum of the Indonesian Diaspora across the globe. Since our nation’s independence we have yet to define a clear vision for these vibrant and diverse Indonesian communities around the world. Indeed, we have yet to fully embrace the concept of “Indonesian Diaspora” in our national conscience. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that we can no longer afford to overlook the importance and promise of the Indonesian Diaspora in the 21st century.

Paradigma

Today, the new paradigm for the Indonesian Diaspora must recognize that every Indonesian living overseas can be a tremendous social and economic asset to our country and play a pivotal role in shaping its future.

In tandem with online social networks and other advances in communications technology, a strong network of Indonesian Diaspora can advance mutual respect and understanding as well as promote trade and investment between Indonesia and their respective countries of residence. In many ways you are Indonesia’s bridge to the world and the world’s bridge to Indonesia, and I strongly believe that your ideas, skills and unique perspectives will be crucial to Indonesia’s success in the 21st Century. As a result, the primary goal of CID is to strengthen and elevate this network of Indonesian Diaspora communities around the world.

It is true that there are many different strong and vibrant Indonesian Diaspora communities around the world today. Nevertheless, these communities’ links with Indonesia as well as with each other are not as strong as they could be. In the United States, for example, there are many different Indonesian communities in many different states and cities. But the connections between them are limited and they are often unaware of each other’s efforts to achieve common goals. Therefore, the aim for CID is not only to cultivate a sense of pride, optimism and possibility within the Indonesian Diaspora, but to also foster a spirit of collaboration among the diverse Indonesian Diaspora communities around the world.

A significant source of the Indonesian Diaspora’s strength lies in its size and its diversity. That is why “Indonesian Diaspora” is defined as broadly as possible for CID. For example, every Indonesian national who lives overseas – regardless of their religion, ethnicity, occupation or visa status –is invited to join us. Moreover, non-Indonesian nationals - those who are of Indonesian descent; those who have commercial interests in Indonesia; or Indonesianists who care deeply about our country’s future – are an essential part of the Indonesian Diaspora as well and we also want you to be part of CID. In short, as long as Indonesia lies close to you heart, we want you to be part of this historic event.