The Bandung Conference, held in 1955 in Indonesia, was a groundbreaking event in global

diplomacy, often overshadowed by Western bias and neglect in scholarship. Sponsored by

Southeast Asian nations, it convened 29 independent countries from Asia and Africa, aiming to
assert their influence in shaping the post-World War II international order. President Sukarno
emphasized its significance as the first intercontinental assembly of non-Western nations,
challenging Western hegemony symbolically.

Bandung marked a deliberate assertion of independence and sovereignty by formerly colonized

states, influencing the evolution of international relations theory and the emergence of Global
IR. Its legacy includes thwarting Western efforts, reshaping Cold War dynamics with
non-alignment and decolonization, and laying the groundwork for regional cooperation, including
ASEAN. The conference affirmed universal human rights and the role of the United Nations,
countering narratives of civilizational conflict.

However, Bandung left negative legacies such as exacerbating regional polarization and
bolstering authoritarian tendencies in some participant nations. Despite this, its enduring
relevance underscores the need for a more inclusive approach to international relations studies,
acknowledging the diverse experiences and perspectives of non-Western actors. Nehru's
reservations about establishing a permanent organization and the focus on decolonization and
the Non-Aligned Movement highlight the conference's practical challenges and its significant
impact on combating colonialism.

Bandung expanded the concept of non-intervention, asserted control over natural resources,
and set norms for international relations, laying the groundwork for later developments in human
rights and international norms. It reflected a normative agency among non-Western countries,
promoting freedom and peace, despite gaps between aspirations and realities.

The conference's attendees, now influential global powers, continue to advocate for reforming
the international order, challenging Western-centric models of international relations. Bandung's
study exemplifies how area studies complement IR disciplines, enriching both fields and
contributing to the development of Global IR. Analyzed from various theoretical perspectives, its
significance transcends regional boundaries, influencing global discourse on international
relations and fostering collaboration between area specialists and global IR theorists.
In conclusion, the Bandung Conference of 1955 was a pivotal moment in global diplomacy,
bringing together 29 independent countries from Asia and Africa to assert their influence in
shaping the post-World War II international order. Bandung's legacy includes reshaping Cold
War dynamics with non-alignment and decolonization, affirming universal human rights, and
laying the groundwork for regional cooperation like ASEAN.

Despite its achievements, Bandung also left negative legacies, such as exacerbating regional
polarization and inadvertently bolstering authoritarian tendencies in some participating nations.
However, these shortcomings do not diminish its enduring relevance. Rather, they underscore
the imperative for a more inclusive approach to international relations studies, one that
acknowledges the diverse experiences and perspectives of non-Western actors.

Today, the nations that convened at Bandung continue to play influential roles in advocating for
reforms to the international order, challenging entrenched Western-centric models of
international relations. Bandung's study serves as a prime example of how area studies
complement traditional IR disciplines, enriching both fields and fostering collaboration between
area specialists and global IR theorists. Analyzed through diverse theoretical lenses, its
significance transcends regional boundaries, shaping global discourse on international relations
and promoting a more inclusive and equitable world order.