As a LIAISON OFFICER at G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Borobudur
Hi guys, how are you? The rainy season is coming, in Indonesia. Please take care of your body and stay healthy.
I am not going to share about French, today, because I wanted to tell you how I “managed”, or probably not hehe, to participate in the G20 Cultural Ministers’ Meeting in Borobudur, under the theme of “Recover together, recover stronger”; Indonesia Presidency after Italy. Click here to read the presidency handover press release; next India will hold this event by 2023. These three countries were then called Toika countries. It was so memorable for me. Also, this is my first time joining an international meeting. I am still asking: “Why on earth gave me the chance to get involved?” I am so grateful. At first, I expect nothing but experience as a LO. However, there are so many things I learned, practised, and implied from this event.
Okay, so let’s just jump up to the first day I arrived at the hotel around the Borobudur area. I came on September 8, 2022, and the weather was so cold for me who used to have a hot temperature in Yogyakarta for years. I brought warm clothes and personal toiletries. My roommate was Eldin from Sragen. He studies at ITS, Surabaya; then started to know each other. We were both designated to assist the Netherlands delegations.
Because most of the LOs arrived late, like 6–10 PM, they organised the surveys for the next day, from September 9–10, 2022. That’s why we were expected to have a little survey in some locations. So, we could imagine how the event would be going on. First, we were going to the Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) because we expected to welcome the delegations here at the beginning of the event; how they go out from the plane, then they go to the lounge to have a picture and formal welcome, afterwards, they move to the pickup point where the LOs are waiting.
That is my first time visiting YIA since it was newly built. I lived in Yogyakarta during its construction but never had a chance to go there LOL.
Finish at the YIA, we moved to the Borobudur area because this is the main place of the G20 CMM. Here I just realized that Borobudur is a magnificent and immense property. It’s not just the Borobudur temple itself but the other area around the establishment. What a chance that I could visit the majority of this place and of course for FREE. C’est un moment inoubliable.
Here I have the main event calendar of the G20 CMM, click here. Before we go forwards, have you wondered “What is G20 and what do they do?” Find the below information that I got from g20.org:
The G20 is a strategic multilateral platform connecting the world’s major developed and emerging economies. The G20 holds a strategic role in securing future global economic growth and prosperity. Together, the G20 members represent more than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of international trade and 60 percent of the world population.
Starting in 1999 as a meeting for the finance minister and central bank governors, the G20 has evolved into a yearly summit involving the Head of State and Government. In addition to that, the Sherpa meetings (in charge of carrying out negotiations and building consensus among Leaders), working groups, and special events are also organized throughout the year.
The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.
Each year, the Presidency invites guest countries, which take full part in the G20 exercise. Several international and regional organizations also participate, granting the forum an even broader representation.
So, it’s basically a forum in which country members focus on global economies and global populations; composed of the largest economies of industrialized and developing nations expressing commitments and visions for the future. But now, they start to develop the issue from the cultural perspective too since we can stay away from culture. I have read in a journal — sorry that I forgot the author’s name — states that “we cannot live without culture” because everything is culture: the way we speak, think and act. Our culture shapes our behaviour in society. Also, this was the type of conversation I had when I accompanied 1 of the Netherlands delegation back to the airport on the last day; the culture and society of Dutch and Indonesian.
D-day was coming. One day prior to the delegations’ arrival, my heart was beating so hard. I cannot stop thinking about tomorrow’s agenda. I talked with the other LO, “Are you ready to pick up and assist your designated delegates?”; “What kind of conversation do you plan on?”; “Should we talk along the way?” Although I was stressed by those questions, I had a sound sleep that night :D
The day has come. I woke up early in the morning and get prepared; to try to impress the Netherlands delegation. Then, I ate my breakfast gently because I still had times. At 10.00, Hiace was waiting and headed to YIA. When the delegate came out from the arrival gate, I welcomed her and gave her time for a little. Next, we moved to our Alphard which directed us to the hotel at Plataran Borobudur; had a good chat along the way; she asked casual things while pointing her index finger to everything she saw as well as Indonesian culture and what I am doing in the meantime. Besides, she asked about the detailed agenda in Indonesia Presidency G20 CMM because there were some updates.
Upon arrival at the hotel, she had to covid swab and check in. Late in the afternoon, we moved to Kenari Field. There, they had a photo session and planted the Kenari. The weather was good, fortunately. Several days prior to the main agenda, it was frequently a rainy day. Afterwards, we go back to the hotel and let her rest. On the other side, the LOs need to evaluate and brief about the next day. We are pretty much exhausted day by day because we sleep late at night and have to wake up early. What a rush hour! But, it was fun indeed.
During all the events G20 CMM had back then, I love to watch the Ruwatan Bumi. It was magnificent and spectacular. They were collecting traditions of many places and Indonesian indigenous people to perform their uniqueness. The performers were also amazing. People from all over the world really love to see our Papua performers again, if there is a chance. They loved the outfits, dance, and make-up. I was so touched by this fact.
After Ruwatan Bumi, we had no obligation to brief or evaluate, just like before. That is because the majority of LO need to wake up early at 3.00 AM; we were about to have a Borobudur Sunrise. But, it didn’t go like that with Holland. I and Eldin had more time to sleep as they wanted to go to Borobudur at 5.00 AM. Two more hours to relax and lay, that is really necessary hahahaha. Actually, when I informed the main committee about this, they were afraid that the Netherlands delegations wouldn’t able to see the sunrise. But, Holland prepared this already. They checked that the sunrise would be started at 5.33 AM and we just need 7–10 minutes to go there from the hotel. So, they won’t be late. They still have the view, as well as I am and Eldin.
What an experience! I really love it, the friends, foods, events, agendas, all the crews, etc. Really enjoyed it so much. Glad that I had the chance to participate. It’s a precious moment to get involved in!
