PPIT: 70 Per Cent of Diplomatic Success Determined by Non-Government Actors

Bandung (ANTARA) - The Chairman of the Indonesia-China Friendship Association (PPIT), Al Busyra Basnur, stated that 70 per cent of a nation’s public diplomacy success is determined by non-governmental actors or community groups. “Government actors only contribute 30 per cent. In fact, 70 per cent of public diplomacy success is born from communities and society,” said Al Busyra during an International Seminar titled ‘Revitalising The Spirit of Bandung and Pancasila to Enhance Global People-to-People Cooperation’ in Bandung on Tuesday.

The career diplomat, who has served for nearly 40 years, explained that Government-to-Government (G2G) relations are vulnerable to time constraints and political regime changes, such as the rotation of ministers or directors-general every three to five years. Conversely, people-to-people connectivity involving academics, media, think tanks, and students is enduring.

Al Busyra emphasised that the seminar, organised by his association, focuses on the Bandung Spirit and Pancasila because they are increasingly necessary in the current era. According to him, amidst escalating global conflicts, the essence of the 1955 Bandung Spirit (the Asian-African Conference) is highly relevant to be revived through non-governmental channels. “The Bandung Spirit regarding solidarity against colonialism, equality, and so on, is far more relevant today than in the past, as we face so much conflict, crisis, inequality, and even war,” he remarked.

However, he noted that a significant challenge remains: how to disseminate this relevant Bandung Spirit. “Through conferences like this, we are trying to remind people in Indonesia, the region, and the entire world about the Bandung Spirit initiated 71 years ago, starting here in this historic city. What we must do now is remind the world that the Bandung Spirit remains highly relevant,” he said.

As a concrete step from the meeting in Bandung, Al Busyra stated that PPIT is committed to formulating strategic recommendations to be submitted to the Indonesian Government. “The outcomes of this seminar will be formulated into important recommendations for the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while simultaneously sharing this information with our partner, China’s People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC),” added the former Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia.