CULTURAL PRESERVATION THROUGH DIPLOMACY: THE CASE OF INDONESIA’S CULTURAL DIPLOMACY TOWARDS THE JAVANESE ETHNIC GROUP IN SURINAME
This study attempts to reveal Indonesia's cultural diplomacy towards the Javanese ethnic group in Suriname. The Javanese ethnic group in Suriname is one of the ethnic groups who were immigrants since 1890 by the Dutch government under plantation work. Currently, the Javanese ethnic group is the 3rd largest ethnic group in Suriname after Hindustani and Creole ethnic, with a population of more than 80 thousand people or around 15% of the entire Surinamese community. Through this population, the Javanese ethnic group have an important role in promoting Indonesia in Surinamese society. Due to cultural influence and Dutch being the main language of Suriname, nowadays the young Javanese-Surinamese generation is starting to lose their Javanese culture. With these based on the problem, Indonesia needs to take steps to preserve Javanese culture in Suriname. Cultural preservation can be realized by carrying out soft power cultural diplomacy. This research uses qualitative methods and data collection techniques use literature studies where the data sources are taken from secondary data originating from books, scientific journals, government data, and several online news. Based on the theory of cultural diplomacy by Tulus Warsito and Wahyuni Kartikasari, the author draws two arguments. First, Indonesia's cultural diplomacy towards the Javanese ethnic group in Suriname is not only carried out by the government but is also carried out by non-government actors such as individuals and companies. Second, cultural diplomacy carried out by Indonesia towards the Javanese ethnic group in Suriname is through all aspects of the needs of the Javanese ethnic community in Suriname, such as food, music, news, fashion, education and cultural training.
Cultural Diplomacy, Indonesia, Suriname, Javanese Ethnic in Suriname.