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Public Policies For Cultural Diversity: The Indonesian Experience
Public Policies For Cultural Diversity: The Indonesian Experience
I would first like to express my thanks to the European Commission, ASEM and the
Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the opportunity to be present
and speak in this Panel Discussion. As Cultural Diversity is the essence of the 2005
Convention, input is certainly needed from various counties having diverse situations
and conditions (e.g. The European Experience, The South American Experience). .
I am present here and speak as a culture expert (2nd Secretary of Indonesian National
Kris Secretariat, among other positions) and as a partner with our Government in
protecting cultural diversity, and not as an official representative of the Government
of the Republic of Indonesia.
1. General Accordance of Indonesia with the Principle of Cultural Diversity
Generally speaking, there is accordance between the Constitution, Laws, Government
Regulations and practices prevalent in Indonesian society and the principle of Cultural
Diversity, as outlined in the 2005 UNESCO Convention. For example.:.
- The motto of the Republic of Indonesia which declared its Independence on
17th August 1945 is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika or Unity in Diversity.
Indonesia as an archipelagic nation of over 17,504 islands, around 729 ethic
and sub-ethnic groups and literally thousands of cultural elements, has been
developed since the beginning based upon this principle..
- Article 32 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia mentions that
the Government will advance the national culture of Indonesia.
- Law No. 32 of 2000 regarding Local Government, and further elaborated in
Presidential Decree No. 106 regarding Establishment of a Directorate General
for Local Autonomy have had a positive effect on the attention given by local
governments to local culture, including local languages, dress, arts, cuisine,
etc..
- Law No. 20 of 2003, Article 33 authorizes the use of local languages in
elementary level education, alongside the national language bahasa Indonesia
as the medium of instruction. Article 36 Paragraphs 2 and 3 sub.(d) prescribe
diversification of education in accord with the diversity of local potential.
Article 37 (j) establishes local content in the national education curriculum.
This local content consists of local languages, arts and culture, supporting
the principle of cultural diversity. In fact, from previously, students all over
Indonesia have been taught the basics of the cultural diversity of our entire
country, for example, traditional local dress, local songs, customs and
traditions, etc...
The abovementioned development of diversity is certainly based upon the premise of
union and unity of the Republic of Indonesia, free of any negative notions such as
communalism or racism which might disrupt the harmony of our nation.
2. Existing and Drafted Laws and Government Regulations Related to Cultural
Diversity
-
Presidential Decree No. 100 of 1961 regarding Permission for Sending Artist
Mission Abroad
Government Regulation No. 10 of 1993 concerning the implementation of
National Law No. 5 of 1992
Government Regulation No. 19 or 1995 concerning the Preservation and
Utilization of Museum Collections.
Ministerial Decree No. 062 of 1995 concerning Ownership, Provisions,
Transfer of Ownership and Deletion of Items of Cultural Property
Ministerial Decree No. 063 of 1995 concerning Protection and Preservation of
Cultural Property
Ministerial Decree No. 064 of 1996 regarding Rewards and Determination of
Cultural Property
Formation of an Indonesian Association for Development of Knowledge and
Expression of Traditional Culture (2005)
Acceptance of the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Safeguarding the Intangible
Cultural Heritage through Presidential Decree No. 78 of July 2007
Draft Law on Culture
Draft Law on the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Knowledge and
Traditional Cultural Expression
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Once again, my deepest thanks to the organizers for the opportunity afforded to me to
participate in this discussion. I hope that this information may be useful input for our
consideration in formulating the protection of cultural diversity all over the world..
G 12/12/08