Students from Universitas Terbuka (UT) gained firsthand insight into Indonesia’s foreign policy during a visit to the Kementerian Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia (Kemensetneg) on 18 February 2025. Facilitated by the Ministry’s Bureau of Public Relations, the session provided a platform for discussion on Indonesia’s diplomatic direction, its participation in international organizations, and its strategic role in the Developing-8 (D-8). 

The event was opened by Head of Public Relations Eddy Cahyono Sugiarto, who emphasized the importance of youth understanding government priorities, particularly in diplomacy and national strategic programs. During the presentation, Assistant Deputy Johar Arifin explained that Indonesia’s foreign policy adheres to the “free and active” principle as stipulated in Law No. 37/1999—remaining independent from global power blocs while actively contributing to world peace and equitable global governance. 

Johar highlighted Indonesia’s active engagement in international forums, including the D-8, founded in 1997 by eight developing countries. At the 11th D-8 Summit in Egypt in December 2024, members adopted the Cairo Declaration, strengthening cooperation in trade, food security, sustainable agriculture, tourism, research, and education. Indonesia will serve as D-8 Chair for 2026–2027 and host the 12th Summit in Jakarta in April 2026, focusing on economic integration, halal and blue economy development, green transition, and digital cooperation. 

The session also underscored the role of digital transformation in enhancing public service transparency and accountability, as well as Kemensetneg’s strategic function in supporting the President’s policy implementation. 

Through this visit, UT students deepened their understanding of Indonesia’s global positioning and governance framework, reflecting UT’s commitment to providing inclusive, real-world learning experiences aligned with quality education, strong institutions, and global partnerships.