A Glimpse into Indonesian Culture, December 5

The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide cordially invites you to celebrate the holidays with a lovely cultural program presented by the Indonesian Embassy, on Monday, December 5th at 10:30 a.m. in the George Marshall Auditorium at the Department of State.
We will have the opportunity to learn more about the beautiful Indonesian culture and traditions, as well as enjoy the folklore, fashion show, and a taste of their delicious food. Do not miss this lovely program.

The Republic of Indonesia is the world’s largest island country with more than thirteen thousand islands. It has an estimated population of over 260 million people. The Indonesian economy is the world’s 16th largest economy. The Indonesian archipelago has been an important region for trade since at least the 7th century and the Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders and Sufi scholars brought the now-dominant Islam, while European powers brought Christianity.

Indonesia has been a member of the United Nations since 1950 and it is a very ethnically and linguistically diverse country, with around 300 distinct native ethnic groups, and 742 different languages and dialects. The largest (and politically dominant) ethnic group are the Javanese.

Indonesia’s national motto is “Bhinneka Tunggal” (“Unity in Diversity” literally, “many, yet one”). It articulates the diversity that shapes the country. Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world’s second highest level of biodiversity. The country has abundant natural resources like oil and natural gas, tin, copper and gold. Agriculture mainly produces rice, tea, coffee, spices and rubber. Indonesia’s major trading partners are Japan, the United States and the surrounding countries of Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

RSVP to AAFSW at office@aafsw.org no later than Wednesday, November 30th and send us your driver’s license number or passport number and date of birth to submit to the State Department’s Office of Security. In addition, please send a check made out to AAFSW for $10.00 at 4001 North Ninth Street, Suite 214, Arlington VA, 22203.

~Sheila Switzer
AAFSW Program Chair