JCI members to meet in Bali

JAKARTA (JP): The Junior Chamber International (JCI) said on Wednesday that it would hold its 49th Asian Pacific Conference (Aspac) in Bali, on June 17 to June 21.

JCI president Yong Shuk Choi said the annual regional conference was initially planned to be held in Jakarta, but growing concerns over the country's social climate and security had forced the chamber to move the event to Bali.

"Many of our members are worried about Indonesia's condition because they have been misled by bad reports and media coverage. After a long discussion, we felt that it would be more comfortable and more attractive to hold the conference in Bali," he said.

U.S-headquartered JCI is a worldwide federation of young professionals and entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 40. JCI has over 600,000 members in 99 countries.

Meanwhile, president of the Indonesian Junior Chamber Denny W.M Tuwima said it was predicted that the number of participants in the conference would drop by 40 percent to 3,500 participants from the targeted 8,000 participants because of the economic crisis in several Asian countries. (gis)