Embassy Jakarta’s Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) and Public Affairs Officer (PAO)—both on return tours to Indonesia – gave opening remarks to approximately 70 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumni at @america, some of whom were old friends of both the DCM and PAO from previous assignments in Indonesia. They spoke to the important role IVLP has played in its 44 years in Indonesia, in connecting leaders to the United States, breaking down barriers and discovering commonalities. A panel discussion of prominent and accomplished alumni led to animated discussions about IVLP and recollections of shared experiences throughout the evening. Several media outlets interviewed the DCM, who highlighted that the beauty of the program allows promising leaders the opportunity to learn first-hand about important bilateral issues. Prominent Indonesian IVLP Alumni include: former Heads of State Megawati Soekarno Putri and Abdurahman Wahid (Gus Dur), and the current Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahja Purnama (Ahok).
