On April 29, 2025, the Laboratory of Political and Regional Studies, within the Department of International Relations at FISIP, University of Jember, hosted a discussion titled “The Perspective of Just and Civilized Humanity in Indonesia’s Geopolitical Position.” The event, held in the Lecture Hall, featured Lieutenant General (Ret.) Bambang Darmono as the keynote speaker and drew considerable interest from academics, students, and international political observers.
In his presentation, Bambang Darmono emphasized that Indonesia must uphold the values of humanity and justice in its foreign policy. He stated, “Geopolitics is not merely about power and national interest, but also about how we humanize relations between nations.” He cited Indonesia’s role in maintaining global peace through inclusive diplomacy and humanitarian aid as prime examples.
Darmono also critiqued the tendency of some major powers to employ violence and hegemony in global politics. He asserted that Indonesia, guided by Pancasila, has a moral responsibility to champion a more just and civilized world order. “We must set an example of how humanitarian values can be integrated into geopolitical strategies,” he stressed.
The event also included an interactive discussion session where participants inquired about how Indonesia could strengthen its position amidst US-China competition without sacrificing humanitarian principles. Darmono advised Indonesia to actively participate in multilateral forums such as the UN and ASEAN, while simultaneously fostering equitable economic cooperation with various parties.
The closing of the event was marked by appreciation from the Head of the Laboratory of Political and Regional Studies, who stated that Darmono’s insights offered a fresh perspective for the advancement of international relations studies. “Today’s discussion reminds us that geopolitics must always be grounded in humanitarian values,” he concluded. This activity is expected to inspire the younger generation to position Indonesia as a pioneer of global peace.