Indonesian Diaspora Congress Starts Today

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The second Congress of Indonesian Diaspora (CID) starts here on Sunday with 3,880 Indonesians and Indonesian descents living abroad participated in the event, Chairman of the organizing committee Wahid Supriyadi said here on Sunday.

The congress is being held from August 18 to 20 with various activities such as public discussion, charity event and exhibition of Indonesian products such as education, culinary and travel promotion.

"This event is expected to come up with concrete recommendations which will then be given to related ministries in Indonesia. Among themes discussed during this year's meeting are dual citizenship for Indonesians abroad, the power of diaspora community abroad and Indonesia as emerging power in the world," he said.

Other activity in the event is a tribute to Syeikh Muhammad Yusuf, an Indonesian descent who once live as ulema in South Africa's Kampung Makassar area. Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla will lead the tribute ceremony next August 19.

The first Congress of Indonesia Diaspora was held in Los Angeles, the United States, last July 6-8. During the congress participants announced the establishment of Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN) which was expected to gather Indonesians or Indonesian descents living abroad to increase their contribution to the homeland country.

Currently there are 55 IDN in 26 countries in the world such as in Australia, Qatar, Taiwan, Bahrain, Malaysia and Germany. (*/DWA)