REMARKS BY

H.E. DR. N. HASSAN WIRAJUDA

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

 OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY

OF THE PROMOTION OF LANGUAGE PROGRAMME

 FOR ASEAN+3 COOPERATION

 

JAKARTA, 8 AUGUST 2005

 

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

 

I am very pleased to welcome all of you, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, to the launching of the Language Program for ASEAN+3 Cooperation.

 

In 2002, the Leaders of ASEAN+3 agreed upon a document mapping out the main measures to expand and intensify cooperation among ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Those measures share a certain quality to deepen and widen ASEAN+3 cooperation as part of the efforts to realize peace, prosperity and progress in the region.

 

The promotion of East Asian Studies in the region is one of the short-term measures endorsed by the Leaders who acknowledged its importance in developing a sense of regional identity, through enhanced understanding of commonality of historical experiences, norms and values among the societies in the region.

 

Among the various ways that can be undertaken to promote the study of East Asia is the study of languages used in the region. After all, language is used by members of a community to work together, interact with each other, and identify themselves. Language can be the power to express genuine intent for cooperation, while fostering cultural interactions. It is through language that a sense of regional identity and mutual understanding can be nurtured.

 

I am certain you would all agree that as the ASEAN+3 cooperation intensifies, it becomes more and more important for its peoples to master other languages in the region to allow greater people-to-people contact among the societies. We must not allow language barriers to obstruct the process towards wider regional integration.

 

The foreign service officers, as the vanguards of international cooperation, are the ones that must first and foremost master these languages. It becomes more important for them to be able to grasp the cultural set, the political and economic outlook, basically the whole consideration behind the policies pursued by ASEAN+3 governments; this can only be achieved if they master the relevant language.

 

With this in mind, Indonesia decided to promote language programmes for the ASEAN+3 cooperation. This commitment was announced during the ASEAN+3 Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, June 2004, and reinforced in the ASEAN+3 Summit in Vientiane, November 2004.

 

The commitment is now being implemented through a training course in Indonesian language which you are all about to embark. Bahasa Indonesia actually occupies a unique place in Indonesia’s history. Prior to Indonesia’s independence, as a language, it was actually spoken primarily among traders and was certainly not one of the majority languages in the sprawling archipelago. Yet it was precisely these qualities that allow it to become a unifying force in Indonesia’s independence struggle.

 

It is also a living and dynamic language which continues to adapt itself to the progress of time. While doing so, it has become a well-structured language and yet at the same time maintaining those characteristics which allow non-speakers to master it in a short time. I am certain that the participants will find learning the Indonesian language an enjoyable and satisfactory process.

 

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The course will be conducted in Yogyakarta, home to many language institutions with significant experience in training foreigners including diplomats. The participants would surely be pleased to learn that it is a unique city with contrasting old values and new ideas. On the one hand, it is the seat of Indonesia’s longest standing and most influential Sultanate with well-preserved tradition and cultural heritage. On the other hand, it is a city of students and young artists, ensuring a continuous flow of creativity and new ideas.

 

The programme has incorporated interesting activities in and around Yogyakarta. There are many fascinating places in the vicinity; some are of historic significance, such as the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. While visiting these places, I hope the participants will recognize striking resemblance to their own culture. This may spark contemplation on the common norms and values that bind the ASEAN+3 societies. Such thoughts will surely serve the promotion of regionalism in good stead.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I am pleased to see the good turnouts of participation in this language programme. This reflects the shared belief that enhanced proficiency in ASEAN+3 languages and mutual understanding among the future leaders bodes well for the enhancement of regional cooperation and interaction in years to come.

 

It is my sincere hope that other ASEAN+3 countries would join us in promoting language programme for regional cooperation, by organizing similar programmes in other languages.

 

Finally, to the participants, I wish you all the best and hope you will enjoy this programme. I hope it will enhance your understanding of Indonesia and provide you with the opportunity to build a network with your ASEAN+3 colleagues.

 

Allow me to officially open the programme.

 

Thank you.