The Indonesian National Meeting of International Relations Students (PNMHII) was held once again and this time, with Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) as the host. The meeting, which was attended by 56 Indonesian universities, is the 32nd time it has been held. In the previous year, PNMHII was held offline, but this year this meeting was held online.
The meeting with the theme “Development Gap Among ASEAN: Problems and Agenda” has several agendas including Forum Session, Paper Presentation, Joint Statement Forum, Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Diplomatic Course, Video Competition, Dreamwork Summit, and also Press Corps which will be held for 5 days from 3 to 7 November 2020.
“Even though it was held online, it did not dampen the enthusiasm and competitive spirit of the participants and the committee,” said Fatihatur Rahmi Aziza, chairman of the UMY International Relations Student Corps (KOMAHI) when delivering a speech at the PNMHII opening ceremony, Tuesday (03/11) ). The opening ceremony, which was also attended by UMY Rector, Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P., IPM., Was broadcast live from the 5th Floor Meeting Room, AR Fachruddin B Building, UMY through the Zoom Meeting platform and YouTube live streaming.
Retno L.P Marsudi, S.IP., LL.M., Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and Dr. Yusran, Head of the Indonesian International Relations Association (AIHII) was also present as keynote speakers to provide material for the participants. In her presentation, Retno raised the International Geopolitical Situation during the pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic, which is a global disaster, requires cooperation between countries in handling it, but what is happening now is that the rivalry is getting higher, especially for countries with large powers which make it more difficult for other countries as third parties,” she said.
According to Retno, the Indonesian principle of free and active politics is very relevant to current conditions. Free means being free to determine partners to work together and being active means actively contributing to world peace and stability with one direction, namely Indonesia’s national interests. “In the midst of the rivalry between the two great powers, ASEAN countries including Indonesia are committed to continuing to maintain peace and stability in this region,” she added.
At the end of her presentation, Retno stated that the world’s challenges are getting bigger and bigger, especially the increasingly sharp rivalry of the two major powers. Indonesia will stick to the principle of free and active politics, and Indonesia is committed to act as a bridge to world peace and prosperity, and we will continue to support multilateralism. “I hope that students and alumnus of International Relations will continue to be a driving force to inject positive energy for Indonesia to bring Indonesia to be more advanced and prosperous,” Retno concluded. (ays)
