Foreword

Indonesia Is Ready for the Challenges that Lie Ahead

Jay Ruderman

A recent evaluation of the educational curriculum by IMPACT-se exemplifies the extent to which Indonesia is capable of playing a central role on the international stage.

Indonesia has long been an up-and-coming country on the world stage, leading the way among its developing peers. As the world’s third-largest democracy, it continues to play an important role in balancing and harmonizing South-East Asia, and its G20 leadership this year has brought longdeserved international recognition.1 The country’s constant efforts to participate in and support international initiatives, work with the United Nations, and move forward the quest for global peace, has earned them praise.2 With this recognition, however, comes an added responsibility to ensure sure they represent themselves well internationally, and that they act in a way befitting of this new status.

Apart from their role as a regional peacekeeper, Indonesia has historically tended to focus its policy efforts domestically. 3 While President Widodo is embracing the trust and responsibility the international community has given the country, from tackling global issues with the Global Crisis Response Group to their G20 leadership, the government more often than not has preferred to work only to improve the domestic state of Indonesia.4 As a nation of hundreds of islands, however, harmony is part of the culture. Uniting across different languages and ethnicities to share a common identity as Indonesians is something people in a country as diverse as Indonesia do every day.5 This harmonizing nature is something the world needs, and the spotlight of G20 leadership has given Indonesia an opportunity to show off this soft power.6 This soft power can further be seen in a soon-to-be-released analysis of the Indonesian school curriculum, conducted by IMPACT-se.

1 “About Indonesia.” USINDO, 22 Nov. 2017, https://usindo.org/information-on-u-s-and-indonesia/aboutindonesia/. 2 Person. “World Recognizes Indonesia`s Role as Global Peace Maker.” Antara News, ANTARA, 4 Dec. 2022, https://en.antaranews.com/news/85262/world-recognizes-indonesias-role-as-global-peacemaker?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=related_news. 3 “Why Indonesia Punches below Its Weight in Global Affairs.” The Economist, The Economist Newspaper, https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/07/21/why-indonesia-punches-below-its-weight-in-global-affairs 4 “Indonesia Increasingly Gets Recognition in Global Leadership: Jokowi.” Jakarta Globe, 16 Aug. 2022, https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-increasingly-gets-recognition-in-global-leadership-jokowi. 5 “Chinese and Other Indonesian Peoples.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/place/Indonesia/Chinese-and-other-Indonesian-peoples. 6 Muhibat, Shafiah, et al. “Indonesia Steps Innocently onto the International Stage.” East Asia Forum, 29 Aug. 2022, https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/08/28/indonesia-steps-innocently-onto-the-global-stage/.

The study in question refers to the country’s education system, and exemplifies how this system reflects national values, promoting self-confidence, humility, and unity in harmony. Radicalism, racism, and colonial history are all addressed, and tolerance is the overall message. The country teaches the values its people believe in and hold at the core of their identity, and this is not lost on the major players of the international system. Indonesia’s harmonizing nature is an essential part of its political power, and it is what has helped the country step forward as an important geopolitical player.

The G20 summit in Bali this year, as well as the ASEAN chairmanship in 2023, are opportunities to wield this power in a way that benefits global peace and stability.7 With growing recognition for his country’s international contributions, President Widodo hopes to also attract international investment and support for his own domestic agenda, especially the intensive green transition, and the infrastructure and economic transition needed to accompany it.8 The United States, Japan, and other partners have already promised $20 billion of financing toward shutting down coal plants and reducing energy emissions by 2030, a tangible result of the country’s growing status.9

The current need for a global peacemaker such as Indonesia is especially evident with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. From harmonizing relations to addressing the resulting food crisis, Indonesia has already begun to show how suited it is to play the role of mediator. With President Widodo’s visits to Kyiv and Moscow in June of this year, he set out to urge a ceasefire, ensure the creation of a grain corridor from Ukraine and resume Russia’s fertilizer exports.10 He also chose to invite Russia to the G20 while extending an invite to Ukraine, in a bid to bring Putin and Zelensky together with other world leaders.

Indonesia’s approach to democracy and harmony has made it a natural leader of the world’s emerging powers, and has given it this opportunity for global leadership.11 These same approaches are essential to addressing the Russia-Ukraine War, and are an important aspect of why now is Indonesia’s time to act. Playing a role in brokering an agreement between Ukraine and Russia would, for example, prove to both the global community as well as to Indonesians that they are ready for this mantle of responsibility. This new role would also allow them to move forward on

7 The Jakarta Post. “Indonesia's 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship Has Officially Begun.” The Jakarta Post, 18 Nov. 2022, https://www.thejakartapost.com/adv/2022/11/18/indonesias-2023-asean-chairmanship-has-officiallybegun.html. 8 Jaffrey, Sana. “At the G20, Indonesia Claims Long-Overdue Limelight on the Global Stage.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 14 Nov. 2022, https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/11/14/at-g20indonesia-claims-long-overdue-limelight-on-global-stage-pub-88397. 9 Person. “Key Takeaways from the G20 Summit in Bali.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 16 Nov. 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/key-takeaways-g20-summit-bali-2022-11-16/. 10 Jaffrey, Sana. “At the G20, Indonesia Claims Long-Overdue Limelight on the Global Stage.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 14 Nov. 2022, https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/11/14/at-g20indonesia-claims-long-overdue-limelight-on-global-stage-pub-88397. 11 Dharmaputra, Radityo. “It Is Time for Indonesia to Act as a Stabilizer in Ukraine – and Beyond.” – The Diplomat, For The Diplomat, 12 Oct. 2022, https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/it-is-time-for-indonesia-to-act-as-astabilizer-in-ukraine-and-beyond/.

other geopolitical issues of importance as well, such as normalizing relations with the State of Israel.12 Not only would this be an incredible show of leadership on the part of Indonesia, but, as is clear from history, doing so would bring a formidable boostto their economy.13 When the United Arab Emirates signed the Abraham Accords only 2 years ago to normalize relations with Israel, their trade increased by 500%, bringing $1.2 billion in one year.14 Such a level of trade influx would be incredible for the Indonesian economy, bringing in opportunities for investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Hi-tech and digital industries are something the country lacks, and a partnership with Israel would allow them to expand into these sectors.15 The economic benefits and expansion of their industries would be welcome, especially as their transition toward a green economy and normalized relations with Israel would set them apart from their neighboring countries. 16 The IMPACT-se study in question indeed shows why, at least through an investigation of its educational curriculum, Indonesia is ready to play an even greater leading role on the international stage.

As Indonesia moves into this position of international leadership, there are many aspects of the position they must keep in mind. The country’s harmonizing nature and ideals of peace and stability continue to be praised, and its education system will impart these on to the next generation. The focus on sustainable growth is to be emulated, and the preservation of democracy to be admired. With this position, however, also comes the responsibility of applying these values beyond their own country. By playing a role in important international events, such as hosting the G20 and mediating the Russia-Ukraine War, they are slowly and surely proving that they are ready for this new challenge.

Jay Ruderman is the President of the Ruderman Family Foundation.

12 Opinion, Guest Contributor -. “Normalization Is Modernization.” EU Reporter, 25 Nov. 2022, https://www.eureporter.co/world/indonesia/2022/11/28/normalization-is-modernization/. 13 ibid 14 ibid 15 ibid 16 ibid