FOLLOW US
Think Tank 2022
International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace
IAPP Inaugurated in Indonesia
Monday, October 15, 2018
Jakarta, Indonesia—The Indonesia chapters of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) and the Youth and Students for Peace (YSP), an initiative affiliated with UPF, were inaugurated on October 15, 2018 at the country’s parliament in Jakarta. The Speaker of the House of Regional Representatives (Senate) of Indonesia Hon. Oesman Sapta Odang co-hosted the event with UPF and arranged for it to take place in the parliament complex. The theme of the program was “Dissemination of Five Principles of PANCASILA in Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time – The Role of Governments, Civil Society, Faith-Based Organizations, Youth and Students.”
The hall was filled, and among the attendees were members of Indonesia’s parliament and Constitutional Court and other government officials as well as representatives from civil society.
Also in attendance were 60 foreign delegates, including a deputy minister from Sri Lanka; two former cabinet ministers from Nepal; eight members of parliament from six different nations; and ambassadors and diplomats from 10 foreign missions.
During the inaugural session, the speakers of both Houses, the House of Representatives and the House of Regional Representatives, sat side by side and delivered the keynote addresses. The day before, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. H. Bambang Soesatyo hosted the welcome banquet at Hotel Mulia Senayan in Jakarta.
The UPF speakers Dr. Tageldin Hamad, vice president of UPF; Dr. Chung Sik Yong, chairman of UPF-Asia-Pacific; and Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, co-chair, of the IAPP-Asia-Pacific spoke about the vision and work of UPF and the IAPP in Asia and around the world.
The next session focused on “Finding Common Ground for Lasting Peace and Security.” Among the six panelists were Dr. A.M. Fachir, vice minister of foreign affairs, who was representing the minister of foreign affairs of Indonesia, and Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, senior advisor to the prime minister of Nepal on foreign affairs, who spoke passionately on the theme. Dr. Makarim Wibisono, vice chairman of the Indonesian Council of World Affairs, said that the inclusion of Pancasila, which is similar to the UPF Principles of Peace, in the UN Charter could invigorate the mission of the UN.
The afternoon session focused on “The Role of Youth in Nation Building.” Dr. Robert Kittel, president of Youth and Students for Peace International conveyed the message that keeping purity is the first step towards patriotism. He then invited all the participants to make a pledge of purity prior to marriage and fidelity in marriage. Hon. Dave Laksono, a young member of parliament, emphasized the importance of youth taking part in the political process, while Dr. Venus Agustin, president of the International Peace Leadership College in the Philippines, outlined the benefits of martial arts in character building.
Also during the program, international youth volunteers sang a traditional Indonesian song and a song for peace.
The event was covered by Indonesian media.