Byline
Michael is a professional leader in the fields of energy investments, complex commercial deals, and sustainability with extensive international experience. His personal interests span from socio-political issues, history, and culture.
From the Archives
Seandainya Saya Penulis Pidato Presiden RI …
By michael on 09/08/2010
Tulisan pidato ini adalah fiktif belaka yang diandaikan sebagai pidato Presiden RI. Dalam andaian itu, pidato ini dibacakan untuk menjawab keresahan masyarakat yang memilihnya untuk menjadi Presiden atas tindak kekerasan yang terjadi menjelang bulan suci Ramadhan dan peringatan hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia. Tindak kekerasan diluar hukum sebagai wujud intoleransi seharusnya tidak memiliki tempat di negara yang serius menerapkan Pancasila. Pidato ini bukanlah serta merta sebuah kritik, tetapi lebih merupakan pengharapan–pengharapan bahwa 65 tahun adalah umur yang cukup bagi sebuah Negara dan Bangsa untuk mulai beranjak dewasa; dan juga pengharapan bahwa seorang pemimpin yang terpilih secara demokratis dapat pula menegakkan asas-asas demokrasi yang fundamental, termasuk melawan dengan tegas mereka yang berusaha merusak tatanan demokrasi.
The Rectors Forum Reaches Indonesian Community Abroad
The notion was made clear by the Chairman of the Indonesian Rectors Forum, Sofian Effendi in a meeting with Indonesian students and professionals during his visit in the Netherlands. The meeting that was also attended by Roch Basoeki, Presidium of Barisan Nasional, discussed the outcomes of the third Campus Convention and the ninth Annual Meeting of the Indonesian Rectors Forum (Konvensi Kampus ke-3 dan Temu Tahunan ke-9 Forum Rektor Indonesia).
The Convention aims to readdress the reformation movement based on national identity; which is very much in line with the intention of the Indonesian community in the Netherlands that wishes to actively contribute to the development of the country by utilizing European potentials. This aspiration will enable the nation to turn brain drain into brain gain. The meeting also discussed the importance of cooperations with a community-to-community approach.
“In its relation with Indonesia, the Netherlands has a strategic potential as a gateway to the European Union that is gaining influence in the international arena”, explained Sofian that is also the Rector of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. He continued by bringing up Indonesia’s geostrategic potentials for the coming three decades. The cooperation according to Sofian is imperative as means to accomplish a world that embraces social justice.
To follow up, the Indonesian community in the Netherlands will hold a series of workshops involving both Indonesian and Dutch communities in the Netherlands. The workshops will map impending mutual cooperatives among the two countries based on equality.
The meeting with Sofian Effendi was concluded with a commitment between the Indonesian community in the Netherlands and the Indonesian Rectors Forum to hold intensive communication in synchronizing the collective efforts. ***
Schiphol, 6 September 2006
Setyo Budiantoro
Michael Putrawenas
Hellena Souisa