Dean Philips Vermonte Speaks at CIFP 2023 on Indonesia’s Foreign Policy Strategy
January 12, 2024 Contributor: Rashid Shabir Abbasi | Editor: Supriyono
UIII.AC.ID, JAKARTA - Dr. Philips J. Vermonte, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), became a panelist at the Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy (CIFP) 2023. Themed "From Non-Alignment to Creative Alignments," CIFP 2023 provided a vibrant platform for government institutions, diplomatic corps, think tanks, thought leaders, journalists, academia, students, and all stakeholders to immerse themselves in the issues of international relations.
This festival of diplomacy was aimed to foster intellectually rich, open, and inspirational dialogues, reflecting the changing dynamics of global geopolitics. The conference addressed Indonesia's foreign policy strategies, delving into the nation's diplomatic history and exploring adaptations required in the face of a complex global landscape.
One standout CIFP session was "Indonesia's Independent and Active Foreign Policy in the Jokowi Era: How Independent? How Active?" Acknowledging the challenges and opportunities of the past nine years under President Joko Widodo's leadership, the panel examined Indonesia's strategic environment and evaluated the effectiveness of its foreign policy.
"Jokowi's foreign policy was more Indonesia-centric. He focused on building material capabilities, infrastructure development, and economic growth to exert influence on the global stage," Dr. Vermonte, one of the panelists in this session, noted, reflecting on President Jokowi's foreign policy strategy.
The conference showcased Indonesia's commitment to diplomatic engagement and highlighted the nation's determination to forge creative alignments in an increasingly interconnected world.
Another crucial feature at CIFP 2023 was the "Diplomacy Clinic." This unique session provided a forum where students could meet with ambassadors and obtain valuable insights into foreign policy and diplomacy as practiced today. Each participating ambassador had a three-minute conversation with a student in a one-on-one format.
Abdul Saboor, a Master's student in Sustainable Finance at UIII, seized the opportunity to engage in a thoughtful exchange with the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Shri Sandeep Chakravorty.
During their meeting, Saboor—who originally came from India's neighbor, Pakistan—passionately shared his ideas and received insights into the foreign policy practices of both Pakistan and India, envisioning a collaborative effort towards fostering peace and sustainability in the South Asian region.
CIFP 2023 unfolded its grandeur on December 2, 2023, at Grand Sahid, Jakarta, boasting over 11,000 attendees, solidifying its status as "The World's Largest Foreign Policy Conference". It stood out as a unique blend of international seminar and rock concert, drawing in thousands of energetic participants, notably the youth.
His session can be watched here: https://www.cifp2023.com/sessions2023/sesi-b1
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