Jokowi's Speech in the US: Pancasila, Indonesia's Guide to Managing Diversity

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that Pancasila is Indonesia's guide in managing diversity when giving a public lecture at Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States.

"In managing its diversity, Indonesia has guidelines, has an ideology, namely Pancasila, unity in diversity which inspires in every aspect of life, including national life," he said in a public lecture attended by nearly 500 students and academics, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 14.

As quoted in a press release from the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Tuesday, the President stated that differences and competition would not lead to open conflict which could trigger regional instability as long as communication was managed well.

He said that communication, space for dialogue, collaboration, and cooperation are key factors in efforts to achieve stability and peace in the region and in the world.

The President emphasized that Indonesia is open to building cooperation with all countries and stated that it does not take sides with any power except in matters of peace and humanity.

"That is the principle we brought to Indonesia's chairmanship of the G20 and ASEAN, which is carried out in a world situation that is divided with very sharp rivalries and heated geopolitics," he said.

He also said that global solidarity and leadership were the keys to overcoming the humanitarian crisis that occurred as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Russia's war with Ukraine.

"We all have a responsibility to maintain peace and we must fulfill this responsibility now," he said.

After giving a public lecture at Georgetown University, the President headed to the Yarrow Mamout Mosque on campus to perform Asr prayers.