The commemoration of the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC), also known as the Bandung Conference, is important for the younger generation. This special occasion has the momentum to recall its values of peace, cooperation, and solidarity. These can be the foundation for building a better future, especially amid various global challenges. In a world that is increasingly moving towards multipolarity, writes Sellita, Lecturer at the International Relations Department, Bakrie University, Jakarta, Indonesia.
In the age of a new, polycentric global order, the Bandung Conference reminds us of the spirit of diplomacy among third-world countries. The Asia-Africa Conference was a realisation of solidarity between Asian and African countries against colonialism, neo-colonialism, and imperialism. In 1955, New Asia and New Africa (as President Soekarno stated) were born into five countries (Indonesia, Burma/Myanmar, Ceylon/Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan). The Asian-African Conference formally brought together the political movement of solidarity across nations with varied cultures to respond to the unstable global situation – the tension between the West and the East in the Cold War era. In terms of social, economic, and political issues, the Bandung Spirit brought Asian-African solidarity to fight to resolve some issues, such as apartheid in Africa and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. It was a milestone in the history of global diplomacy for Indonesians to address the younger generation.
The traditional subject of diplomacy has consisted of economic and political relations among state actors. From this standpoint, there’s a need to introduce a new concept of international diplomacy to the modern diplomatic agenda. Amid new challenges to global governance, the conference and its significance have regrettably proven less interesting to younger generations than other recent interstate initiatives, such as BRICS, the G20, and the OECD. The Bandung Spirit became an appropriate movement for the younger generations of Indonesians to dive into modern diplomacy. Hence, new and modern diplomacy should have the spirit of non-state actors. Young generations are playing an important role in this phase.
Amid all the global issues such as international conflict, climate change, and technology, in pursuing the agenda of promoting multilateral and global diplomacy, it is important to learn from Bandung's Spirit of Cooperation. The conference established the framework for international collaboration among the independent nations to emphasise equality, respect for one another, and non-interference. The importance of global diplomacy and its relevance continues in the interconnected world of today, which can be emphasised to young Indonesians.
In terms of geoeconomics, Asia has grown increasingly strategic. The emergence of China, India and other new economies like Indonesia has put Asia in a strong position to support global expansion and to encourage collaboration with African nations. The most recent development is the growing possibility of South-South cooperation through diplomacy in the spirit of the Bandung Conference. The engagement of Indonesia's younger generations will provide innovation and new perspectives. Through this collaboration, countries have a significant opportunity to gain innovative answers to problems like economic development, poverty, and climate change. In general, the younger generation will be more tech-savvy, linked worldwide, and capable of working across cultural boundaries with ease.
Exploring another agenda in global politics, the Bandung Conference was a pivotal moment for Indonesia in its role on the global stage. The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) continued in the model of international diplomacy by being a ‘free and active’ foreign policy. By emphasising Indonesia’s leadership in this conference, young people can learn the importance of their nation’s role in shaping global diplomacy. As an ASEAN country, Indonesia has great potential to become a leader in this region. The favourable population distribution of the country has yielded a ‘demographic bonus’ as the most productive age cohort is at its highest – yielding a human index development of 75.02% in 2024. The younger generation could investigate how these ideas relate to contemporary global concerns like cybersecurity, economic inequalities, and global warming, where developing nations must band together to safeguard their interests. Online forums can be established where young people can exchange ideas, discuss global issues, and work together to ensure that the Bandung Spirit remains important in the twenty-first century. Indonesia may promote youth diplomacy in the age of digitalisation, and social media can provide tools for addressing it.
On the international dialogue front, the Bandung Conference emphasised the importance of peace and the promotion of diplomacy over military intervention in order to actualise global peace and conflict resolution. In 1989, through the Jakarta Informal Meeting (JIM), Indonesia was involved in peace talks surrounding the Cambodian and Vietnam conflict to realise the resolution via the Paris Peace Agreement. Indonesia also served as a mediator in the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in 2011. Meanwhile, based on these experiences, it is time to get down to non-state actors' activity. These non-state actors can demonstrate their commitment to achieving conflict resolution via youth diplomacy through their participation in the international forums. The continuation of peaceful diplomacy depends on cooperation and active involvement in international institutions. The younger generation of Indonesia should be more active in standing for peaceful resolutions to current issues; two-state solutions are one of the ideas that can be realised. Indonesia has the potential to become the focal point for achieving global peace through the spirit of Bandung.
The significance of the Bandung Conference is to recall the relations Indonesia has with Asia and Africa – in order to strengthen Indonesia’s diplomatic ties with both. Indonesia and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost trade and food security – South Africa exports products such as soybeans, ferroalloys, chromium ore, and chemical pulp to Indonesia. Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Algeria, Gabon, Nigeria, Namibia, Angola, and Mozambique are partner countries for Indonesia in the energy sector. This cooperation includes various strategic initiatives, such as oil and gas exploration, renewable energy development, and geothermal cooperation. Indonesia's cooperation with African countries in the energy sector aims to strengthen economic relations and strategic partnerships, improve people's welfare, maintain energy security, and support the Indonesian government's target for Net Zero Emission.
In Asia, Indonesia continues to strengthen cooperation with its ASEAN partners, as well as China and Japan. In the environmental sector, Indonesia is engaged in carbon credit trading cooperation through the Mutual Recognition Arrangement by Indonesia and Japan. With China, especially since Indonesia joined as a permanent member of BRICS, it opens up greater cooperation opportunities for both countries. Through China's rapid economic growth, it is hoped that it can continue to provide investors for Indonesia, especially in the fields of infrastructure and technology, such as the development of the IKN. In addition, Indonesia also collaborates with a number of developing countries in ASEAN, such as Vietnam and Laos, in terms of public and health services, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
The commemoration of the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC), also known as the Bandung Conference, is important for the younger generation. This special occasion has the momentum to recall its values of peace, cooperation, and solidarity. These can be the foundation for building a better future, especially amid various global challenges. In a world that is increasingly moving towards multipolarity, it is important to continue to sustain good relations with nations throughout the world, including both developed and developing countries.
