Promoting Indonesia's Cultural Diplomacy in the Digital World: Minister Meutya Hafid's Strategic Role at the World Public Relations Forum 2024

Bali, INTI – The Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Meutya Hafid, served as the keynote speaker at the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2024 held in Bali. This international event, under the theme "Purposeful Influence for the Common Good," gathered key global figures from the fields of communication and technology. Minister Meutya Hafid attended on behalf of President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, who could not attend due to an official state visit abroad.

The forum, aimed at deepening understanding of the role of public communication in the evolving digital world, saw Meutya Hafid delivering an important message from President Prabowo, emphasizing that Indonesia’s cultural heritage is not just a national pride but also a strategic asset to strengthen the country's position globally. According to Hafid, the combination of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage with modern digital technology is key to achieving a broader cultural diplomacy agenda.

Indonesia’s Cultural Heritage in the Digital World

Indonesia boasts over 1,941 intangible cultural heritages recognized nationally, with 13 of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage. This achievement underscores Indonesia's commitment to preserving its cultural wealth. The Indonesian government aims to gain recognition for an additional 1,238 new cultural items by the end of 2024, alongside ongoing preservation efforts for thousands of heritage sites spread across the archipelago.

In her speech, Meutya Hafid stressed that digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data have enabled Indonesia to utilize global platforms to promote the values of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) as part of its cultural diplomacy. Through these technologies, Indonesia can introduce its cultural richness and identity to the world more effectively.

“Cultural diplomacy that merges Indonesia's noble values with digital technology will strengthen our position on the global stage. We must leverage technology to introduce our culture to the world in a modern, engaging, and effective way,” said Meutya Hafid.

The Role of the Younger Generation in Cultural Diplomacy

In addition to highlighting the importance of technology in cultural diplomacy, Meutya Hafid also underscored the critical role of Indonesia’s youth in advancing national culture globally. With the majority of Indonesia's population consisting of Gen Z and Millennials, these generations possess significant potential to become change agents in promoting the nation's identity through digital platforms.

The young people of Indonesia, who are well-versed in technology and social media, play a crucial role in promoting Indonesian culture more globally. By using social media and other digital platforms, they can build a positive narrative that enhances the global perception of Indonesia.

“Indonesia’s youth are our true cultural ambassadors. They have easy access to various global platforms and can spread positive messages about Indonesia to the world. This is a great opportunity for us to introduce the values of our nation that align with the progress of the times,” said Meutya Hafid.

Indonesia as a Regional Leader in Combating Misinformation

During her address, Minister Meutya Hafid also highlighted Indonesia's role as a regional leader in combating misinformation and disinformation. One of Indonesia's important initiatives is the ASEAN Guideline on Combating Fake News and Disinformation. This initiative reinforces Indonesia's active role in maintaining information stability and public trust in the region.

According to the latest data, Indonesia is at the forefront of efforts to combat fake news, with various media literacy campaigns aimed at increasing digital literacy among the public. These programs focus on the importance of information verification and the prevention of hoaxes that can damage the integrity of information in society.

“Indonesia has a great responsibility to maintain the quality of information in cyberspace, both for our own people and for ASEAN countries. This initiative is part of Indonesia’s commitment to creating a safer and more transparent digital ecosystem,” said Meutya Hafid.

Global Collaboration for Digital Harmony

In the closing of her speech, Meutya Hafid called on all stakeholders to collaborate in leveraging cultural diplomacy and digital technology as a means to achieve global harmony. She stated that with Indonesia’s values of diversity and unity, the country is ready to inspire the world in building a more peaceful and prosperous global society.

“Through strong collaboration between nations, the private sector, and society, we can build a better world by harnessing technology and culture. Indonesia is ready to be a role model in this regard,” concluded Meutya Hafid with confidence.

Attendance of Key Global Figures

In addition to Meutya Hafid, the event was also attended by several other important figures, including Fahmi Fadzil, Malaysia’s Minister of Communications; Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Nigeria; Ziena Jalil, Chief of Staff, New Zealand Institute of Skill and Technology; and Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN. Their participation underscored the importance of international cooperation in utilizing digital technology for greater global purposes, such as strengthening culture, combating disinformation, and building a more inclusive and prosperous digital society.

According to the Ministry of Education and Culture’s report, Indonesia boasts over 1,941 intangible cultural heritages, with 13 of them included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Indonesian government is committed to increasing the number of recognized cultural heritages, aiming to gain recognition for 1,238 new items by the end of 2024. On the digital front, Indonesia has more than 80 million active internet users, with a large portion of these users being from the younger generation.

Furthermore, Indonesia has launched several digital literacy training programs that reached over 10 million people by 2023. These initiatives aim to enhance public understanding of the importance of data security, information verification, and digital ethics in the internet age.

The World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2024 in Bali served as a crucial platform for promoting Indonesia's cultural diplomacy through digital technology. During the forum, Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized that Indonesia is ready to take the lead in global collaboration to use technology as an effective means of cultural diplomacy. By combining its rich cultural heritage with advanced digital technologies, Indonesia is not only introducing itself to the world but also strengthening its position as a country with a strategic role in the global arena.