The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) is\nstrengthening language diplomacy and the internationalisation of the\nIndonesian language through education by holding the 2026 Handai\nIndonesia Festival.<\/p>\n
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu\u2019ti said the\nHandai Indonesia Festival serves as an appreciation event for \u2018handai\nIndonesia\u2019 \u2014 foreign nationals who are able to speak Indonesian and\nunderstand the civilisation, society and culture of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis festival is a competitive form of appreciation, so that Handai\nIndonesia, whether residing in Indonesia or abroad, have a platform and\nopportunity to showcase their Indonesian language learning outcomes with\nfull confidence and pride, whatever their proficiency level,\u201d said\nMinister Mu\u2019ti at the opening of the Handai Indonesia Appreciation event\nat Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Building A of Kemendikdasmen, Central\nJakarta, on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome may ask why we named it \u2018Handai\u2019. In the sixth edition of the\nGreat Dictionary of the Indonesian Language, \u2018Handai\u2019 means friend,\ncompanion,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
According to him, the Indonesian Government does not use the terms\n\u2018partner\u2019 or \u2018stakeholder\u2019, because the relationship built with\nIndonesian language learners around the world is not transactional in\nnature.<\/p>\n
He said the Handai Indonesia play an important role in introducing\nIndonesia to the international community through their language skills\nas well as their understanding of Indonesian life and culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are friendship ambassadors who carry Indonesia to all corners of\nthe world,\u201d said the Minister.<\/p>\n
On the same occasion, Head of the Language Development and Fostering\nAgency (Badan Bahasa) of Kemendikdasmen, Hafidz Muksin, said the\nfestival encompasses two important activities: presenting awards to the\nbest participants of the 2026 Handai Indonesia Festival and closing the\nIndonesian Language Class for Diplomats of Friendly Countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Indonesian Language Class for Diplomats of Friendly Countries\nprogramme facilitates Indonesian language learning for ambassadors,\ndiplomats and representatives of international organisations based in\nJakarta,\u201d said Hafidz.<\/p>\n
He noted that the class ran from 15 September 2025 to 31 May 2026,\nboth offline and online, consisting of two programmes: a 50-hour\nlearning programme and a 100-hour learning programme.<\/p>\n
The class initially attracted 181 registrants from 67 friendly\ncountry representatives and international organisations.<\/p>\n
Of those 181 people, Hafidz said, 63 participants completed the\n50-hour programme and 42 participants completed the 100-hour\nprogramme.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe extend our gratitude and high appreciation to the Ministry of\nForeign Affairs, particularly the Directorate General of Information and\nPublic Diplomacy through the Directorate of Public Diplomacy, the\nEducation and Training Centre, and Indonesian Representatives abroad,\u201d\nsaid Hafidz.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/education-ministry-strengthens-language-diplomacy-through-handai-indonesia-1787313392", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }