Indonesian Day, Indonesian Representatives Support New South Wales Australia Students Deeply In Indonesian

Indonesian Day in News South Wales, Australia. (Source: Indonesian Consulate General Sydney)

JAKARTA - Around 50 students from various schools in New South Wales, Australia, such as Burwood Girls High School, St. Mary Star of the Sea College, Macarthur Anglican School, and NSW School of Languages participated in the 'Indonesian Day' activity which was held at the NSW School of Languages, Petersham.

"This event is very fun!" said one of the students who took part in the activity which was held on June 3, citing the statement of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney June 4.

In this activity, participants are archived in various learning activities, such as how to update your paragraph, reading skills tips, listening skills tips and dictionary skills tips, especially those covered by the Indonesian language Extension Course curriculum and listening to experiences sharing by alumni.

"Indonesia and Australia are very important to each other, we are close partners," said Alexandra Lyons, one of Macarthur Anglican School's alumni.

Ditekan olehnya, kegiatan tersebut memiliki nilai penting untuk memberikan pemahaman yang lebih baik kepada pelajar tentang Extension Course, serta dampak positif membelajakan Bahasa Indonesia pada tingkat Extension Course.

Indonesian Day is the result of a collaboration between the Australian Indonesia Business Council (AIBC), the Australian Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA), NSW School of Languages, the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra and the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney.

Indonesian Day at the NSW School of Languages is an important momentum in strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia through education and culture, while increasing the interest of the younger generation in learning Indonesian languages and culture.

This 'Indonesia Day' activity received full support from the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Dr. Siswo Pramono, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Sydney Vedi Kurnia Buana and the Indonesian Embassy's Education and Culture Attache Canberra Prof. Mukhamad Najib.

"More than 350 years ago, there was an socio-economic bond between Makassar and Bugis fishermen from Indonesia, with natives in northern Australia. The association started from sea cucumber trade, then expanded, including language and cultural exchange," said Ambassador Siswo.

Ambassador Siswo further said that this year Indonesia and Australia celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. One of the foundations of this bilateral relationship was the Cultural Agreement agreed in 1968, which promoted Indonesian teaching in Australia and English in Indonesia, as well as deepening understanding of the history, culture, and life of the two countries.

Ambassador Siswo also emphasized the importance of language learning as a bridge to understand the culture and way of life of a country.

"Australia and Indonesia understand, although the historical ties between Indonesia and Australia are strong, there needs to be a common understanding of their respective languages. Language is the gateway to understanding a person's culture and way of life," he explained.

On this occasion, the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia also encouraged students of the two countries, which are the millennial generation and generation Z, to prepare themselves to answer future opportunities and challenges in the economic, socio-cultural and geopolitical fields, including increasing Indonesian roles and posture, through inclusive dialogue and a "sharing" sharing approach through language.

"To introduce them to other cultures, especially the second language, will use them to become more diverse, in the sense that giving them more space to their identity, it will help accommodate languages and cultures other than their own culture. A positive attitude towards "sharing" will give them more empathy and skills to achieve inclusive dialogue," said Ambassador Siswo.

"Inclusive dialogue between millennials and Generation Z across civilizations will ensure a peaceful global transition of change, representing the best interests for humanity. For all young people, the sustainability of their learning of culture and other languages is strategically important," he said.

In addition to Indonesian learning, this activity is also filled with angklung games taught by the staff of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, as well as trying traditional Indonesian games, such as moving marbles with spoons and crackers.

In addition, students and participants also enjoyed typical Indonesian dishes, such as rendang and chicken processed with Padang-type spices.