UI to host int'l student gathering

UI to host int'l student gathering

JAKARTA: The School of International Relations of the
University of Indonesia (UI) is to host a week-long gathering of
international relations students from nine countries, including
Indonesia, from Sept. 4 at its Depok campus, south of here.

The organizers told a press conference on Friday that the
First International Relations Student Gathering 2000 was aimed at
developing the intellectual and organizational capabilities of
the participants from the host country Indonesia, and Malaysia,
South Korea, Brunei, China, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and
Laos.

A committee member, Verena Puspawardhani, said the gathering
would organize various activities, including a debating contest,
excursions, and conferences.

Among the issues to be dealt with during the event, co-
sponsored by The Jakarta Post and the Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS), are the environment, gender, and
drug trafficking.

"We have settled on these issues because today it seems as if
international relations issues are dominated by politics and
militarism," Verena told the Post.

"We think it's time that we place the environment, gender, and
international drug trafficking at the center of attention,"
Verena added.

Head of the UI's international students' association Ahmad
Yuniarsah said the outcome of the discussions would be published.

Coordinator of public relations for the event Anastasia said
that the organizers had spoken to a ministry official who
promised to use the results of the event as input for future
policy formulation in his office.

The gathering is scheduled to be opened by Minister of Foreign
Affairs Alwi Shihab. Among the invited speakers is a professor at
the school, Juwono Sudarsono. (jaw)