Obama to give speech in Indonesian diaspora network

Former president of the United States, Barack Obama, is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the opening session of the 4th Congress of Indonesian Diaspora in Jakarta on July 1, 2017.

"We are very happy as we know that Obama has a special relation with Indonesia and has become an inspiring figure for the Indonesian people and diaspora," Dino Patti Djalal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Indonesian Diaspora Network Global (IDNG), said in a press conference on Monday.

Obamas speech in the congress opening session will be his first speech in Asia after he left the White House last Jan.

However, Dino stated that Obamas speech will be in a closed session, which can only be attended by about 3.5 thousand participants consisting of Indonesian diaspora, invited guests, and selected public participants.

According to him, Obama was invited to Indonesia by President Joko Widodo to enjoy his holiday in the country.

Despite refusing to mention the arrival date and the overall agenda of Obama during his stay in the country, Dino asserted that all the process regarding the visit has been coordinated by the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"He (Obama) will have his holiday first before giving his speech in the congress. But I cannot disclose the arrival date and the places he will be visiting as it is beyond my authority," he explained.

The former deputy foreign minister has proposed the theme of globalization and pluralism to be delivered by Obama in his speech, as those two aspects are the integral part of the diaspora phenomenon.

With a theme of "Bersinergi Bangun Negeri" (Synergize to Develop the Country), the 4th Indonesian Diaspora Congress will feature 42 speakers in 12 different sessions.

More than 6 thousand participants have registered to attend the congress, including 427 diaspora from 52 countries.

Co-founder of Marvell Technology Group Sehat Sutardja; member of the Vaticans Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Pastor Markus Solo Kewuta SVD; Hollywood actress Tania Gunadi; and singer Anggun C Sasmi will be among the speakers in the congress, who will discuss various issues of economic and socio-cultural with the aim of improving the lives of Indonesians living both in the country and abroad. 

Source: ANTARA