9/13/2007 - AFS in Indonesia Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Bina Antarbudaya / AFS in Indonesia organized two big closing events for its 50th of AFS anniversary program this year on 24th and 25th of August last week: the Intercultural Seminar with theme Islam and the West: From Coexistence to Engagement, and the AFS 50th Reunion Gathering – Re-experience your AFS year!

The event was a successful! It was an unforgettable experience for all of us who participated especially when the seminar was officially opened by the Honorable President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the Presidential Palace on 24th August 2007 at 09.30 am. It was attended by the H.E. Ambassadors of some AFS countries, Minister of Coordination for People’s Welfare, Minister of Education, Minister of Culture and Tourism, AFS INT, AFS Japan, AFS Malaysia and around 300 people from the big family of Bina Antarbudaya / AFS in Indonesia. Tanri Abeng, Co Founder of Bina Antarbudaya who was also AFS returnee (1961-1962), and Fransisco “Tachi” Cazal, President of AFS Intercultural Programs gave their remarks on behalf of Bina Antarbudaya and AFS, and then followed by Taufiq Ismail, Chair of Bina Antarbudaya, who was among the first group of AFS returnee from Indonesia (1956-1957) read his poetry titled Together We Plant Seeds of Trees One By One, One Day A Forest May Stretch Out (attached). The President then gave his speech and officially opened the seminar by hitting the Gong.

The seminar itself was held at the Nikko Hotel Jakarta and presenting speakers from SIETAR Indonesia (The International Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research) President, Dr. Irid Agoes, former SIETAR International President (also AFS returnee from USA to Austria in 1961), Prof. Jacqualine Wasilewski, Ph.D.; Chair of UIN Graduate Program, Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra, Professor at UIN, Prof. Dr. Amany Lubis, Director of KNIU - Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO (also AFS returnee to USA in 1960), Prof Dr. Arief Rachman and moderator, Mr. Manneke Budiman MA.

In the afternoon, Bina Antarbudaya again had the honor to make courtesy visit to the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla together with our International guests from AFS INT: Tachi Cazal (President) and Don Mohanlal (Trustee); AFS Japan: Hidehiko Ide (Chair) and AFS Malaysia: Shazalyna Mohamad (Board member), Khalilah Mohd. Talha (Board member), Siti Khatijah Hassan (Chapter President) and Raja Rodziah Raja Zainal Hassan (Staff), and Bina Antarbudaya’s Chapter Presidents. The meeting with the Vice President was rather informal and warm as his family was former host family of AFS who had hosted two times back in the 80’s. The Vice President shared a little bit about his experience when hosting AFS students and how he is still in touch with them.

The next day, Saturday August 25th evening was the night that many of the big family of Bina Antarbudaya / AFS are waiting for, the AFS 50th Reunion gathering – Re-experience your AFS year! It was a unique concept – the venue was transformed into an airport and the invitation was made in a form of a passport. Guests are expected to check-in at the front counters and got their passport stamped before coming in to the reception area. The program tells unique AFS stories from different perspectives: participants, host families and volunteers, reminding people about the vision/mission of the AFS program. Stories that are published in Bina Antarbudaya/AFS new book called “Menyemai Dunia Damai” (free translation: Spreading World Peace). In between the story telling there were interviews, performances of singing by AFS returnees and traditional bamboo music by SMU 1 Karawang High School students.

Bina Antarbudaya also presented its very first Leadership Award 2007 to Ms. Tri Mumpuni, an AFS returnee and volunteer who has succeeded to inspire, direct and move individuals and her communities to make a change in developing and increasing the freedom, intelegence and welfare of his/her community and people and human beings.

Before closing, Tachi had a chance to promote the Petition Drive and presenting gift to Taufiq Ismail, Chair of Bina Antarbudaya/AFS Indonesia, followed by AFS Japan and AFS Malaysia.

It was a really warm gathering with a great hope that Bina Antarbudaya/AFS in Indonesia will continue to grow and develop its programs for many more years to come as national asset so there will be more people are touched by its vision/mission and more leaders with intercultural sensitivity are created in the future.

Thank you, dear friends, volunteers and staff of AFS partners around the world for your continuous support and cooperation with Bina Antarbudaya/AFS in Indonesia, and for making a difference in the world!