Indonesia and Poland, even though both countries are geographically far apart, have several similarities that bridge the two countries. Both countries have rich cultural heritage and rapidly developing political dynamics. With the same commitment to academic excellence, Indonesia and Poland are trying to build cultural policies that become an important foundation for a country amidst the challenges of global dynamics.
For this reason, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) University of Indonesia (UI) held a seminar entitled “Cultural Studies in Political Science: European and Asian Perspectives” at the Mochtar Riady Auditorium FISIP UI, on Friday (10/11). Also presenting experts from the University of Warsaw, Poland, this initiative aimed to form a strategic partnership between these two prestigious educational institutions to form a long-term collaboration between Indonesia and Poland.
Cultural ideas and studies in political science have become increasingly prominent over recent years. This is due to increasingly complex interactions between culture, identity, and political behavior. According to Prof. Daniel Przastek, Ph.D, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies University of Warsaw, cultural policy is systematic and carried out to achieve certain goals in the field of culture. He emphasized the importance of education in cultural policy as education can preserve cultural identity and open wider cultural access.
In his presentation, the Dean of FISIP UI, Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto said that the strong role of the state in formulating cultural policy is often seen as state hegemony over society in a governmentality perspective , as if the state has the power to determine what its citizens can do. Furthermore, he discussed appropriate cultural policies in the context of Indonesia, a country rich in diverse traditions, amidst ongoing global transformation.
“The aim is to preserve these traditions with a primary focus on maintaining traditional (customary) communities and their cultural processes. The emphasis does not just lie on the dichotomy of ‘extinction’ or ‘sustainability’, but rather on facilitating the organic development of these traditions in society,” said Prof Aji. It is hoped that cultural policies like this can empower society by dynamically developing traditions as a basic element.
Apart from the seminar, there was a signing of a letter of agreement between FISIP UI and the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw. Collaboration between academic institutions from various parts of the world is very important in a world that is increasingly connected through technology and communication. It is hoped that this collaboration can overcome complex problems that impact humanity.
Beata Stoczyńska, Polish Ambassador to Indonesia said that this collaboration signals a commitment to global education and research. Both institutions share the same vision to advance science and contribute to the development of solutions to contemporary challenges. This partnership is an embodiment of the spirit of international cooperation and aims to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Author: Public Relations of FISIP UI
Editor: Dyra Daniera
