The Student Association of the International Relations Study Program (Himahi) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UIN Jakarta held an International Webinar and virtual launch of a book entitled Diplomacy  : The Work of Indonesian Diplomats Abroad , Thursday (8/4/2021).

The book was written by diplomats and former diplomats, including Darmansjah Djumala (Ambassador to Slovenia and Austria), Agus Sriyono (Ambassador to the Vatican for the 2016-2020 period), and Bagas Hapsoro (Ambassador to Sweden for the 2016-2020 period).

The webinar presented speakers Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the 2014-2015 period), Nazaruddin Nasution (lecturer at the International Relations Study Program FISIP UIN Jakarta and Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia for the 2000-2003 period, as well as Darmansjah Djumala and Agus Sriyono as book authors.

While the key speakers were the Chancellor of UIN Jakarta, Amany Lubis and the Dean of FISIP, Ali Munhanif. The webinar was hosted by Riana Mardillah from the HI FISIP Study Program.

In general, the contents of the book examine the experiences of diplomats while serving in their respective destination countries. They told about this experience from various perspectives, especially regarding the role of Indonesian diplomacy abroad.

Topics discussed in the book include the division of issues, starting with regional issues: Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, America, and then Europe. Meanwhile, cross-regional  writing  is placed at the end of the book.

Each topic discussed is drawn and explored from the most valuable experiences during the writers' work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 1985 and the present.

Agus Sriyono said that the book could be a means of enriching the mindset for students, business people and observers of international relations. He also recommended that the book  Diplomacy: The Work of Indonesian Diplomats Abroad  is important to have and read for students, especially those in the International Relations Study Program.

Meanwhile, according to Darmansjah Djumala, the initial idea for publishing the book was based on the authors' desire to share experiences and contribute thoughts to the future of Indonesian diplomacy.

He also hopes that the book which reviews the experiences of diplomats can help students and lecturers to develop IR knowledge, especially at FISIP UIN Jakarta.

AM Fachir said, in diplomacy with countries in the world, Indonesia always prioritizes world benefit rather than national interests. This can be seen from the holding of the Asia-Africa Conference (KAA) in Bandung in 1955 which was attended by 29 leaders of countries in Asia and Africa.

"In fact, Indonesia has also been one of the 10 largest contributing countries for peacekeeping troops in the world," said AM Fachir, who is also a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.