House Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Vice Chairperson Mardani Ali Sera addresses his remarks to academics of Andalas University (Photo: Anne/sf

The Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP) of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, held BKSAP Day at Andalas University, West Sumatra to introduce and share information on the role of the House of Representatives, especially BKSAP in carrying out its tasks and functions in parliamentary diplomacy.

Vice Chairperson of BKSAP, Mardani Ali Sera said that this event is one of the effective ways to share global insight related to diplomacy with the young generation. He further said that diplomacy does not belong to Foreign Affair Ministry (Government to Government). All parties can exercise diplomacy based on their functions.

“BKSAP has the so-called ‘BKSAP goes to campus’ program which introduces and shares information on the House’s activities for future knowledge of university students. We hope our presence in the campus can provide information to the young generation on the importance of diplomacy and communication with other countries,” Sera explained in the BKSAP Day online seminar with the theme “BKSAP and COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges,” in Padang, West Sumatra, Friday (13/11/2020).

The online seminar, which was attended physically and virtually by the university’s students, was opened by Andalas University Rector, Prof.Dr.Yuliandri with the Vice Chairperson and a Member of BKSAP, Mardani Ali Sera and Syahrul Aidi Mazaat as the Keynote Speakers.

Sera explained that any institution can take on the role of People to People diplomacy. Even individuals can take on this role. He gave an example of the US basketball player, Dennis Rodman, who was sent to North Korea as a diplomatic actor for the US and North Korea relationship.

“As the world is becoming more connected, diplomacy is expanding from G to G level to People to People contact. I always share the story of the basketball player becoming a diplomatic actor. Dennis Rodman was specially invited to North Korea, the isolated country, because the North Korean leader loves basketball. For me, everyone is a diplomat,” said Sera.

On that occasion, the role of BKSAP in establishing international cooperation to handle COVID-19 was also discussed. International, regional and bilateral cooperation is increasingly needed in facing COVID-19 pandemic currently hitting countries across the globe, especially the cooperation on developing affordable vaccines for all people in the world.

“This pandemic is an unprecedented crisis. However, this COVID-19 has made us realize that to stop the pandemic, no single country can do it alone. Therefore, we must foster the spirit of multilateralism in order to create a unity of international cooperation,” he stated.

The politician from Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) went on to say that the world is a small village. Indonesia must be able to play an active role in the world arena. On the contrary, if Indonesia only takes a passive role, it will fall prey to others. For that reason, he urged everyone to play a role through people to people diplomacy, in line with their functions.

Meanwhile, a Member of BKSAP and the Chairperson of Indonesia-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group Syahrul Aidi Mazaat said that Indonesian House always raises global issues of mutual concern in various occasions, including in international and regional conferences. One of the issues raised is the support for Palestine independence, taking into account that independence is the inalienable right of all nations.

The Andalas University Rector warmly welcomed the BKSAP goes to campus event, saying that the event is considered to be able to share insight on the role of diplomacy. He added that the university is ready to continue its collaboration with the Indonesian Parliament and it is hoped that the BKSAP Day will provide great benefit for the young generation, especially university students. (ann/sf)