Indonesia aims to portray its identity and achievements to the world through its participation in the upcoming World Expo Shanghai China (WESC) 2010. Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said Friday that Indonesia would take advantage of its achievements in various sectors during the last decade.

There are around 200 former ambassadors who are still actively involved in social and diplomatic activities and they are still part of Jakarta’s diplomacy scene. The forum is looking to accommodate the experience and insight of ambassadors so that the ministry can reach out to a wider society.

Indonesia now wants to raise its diplomatic game, acting the part of a regional power with a global impact. One sign of this is a desire to be ranked among the BRIC economic club of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Another is to send peacekeepers as far away as to Lebanon and Darfur.

The center will run courses in Balinese gamelan and dance, Indonesian language, batik making, cooking, angklung (bamboo musical instrument) as well as hosting art performances and cultural discussions.

...Navneet Suri, a former consul general to South Africa, said that the popularity and level of awareness created about India by the IPL bandwagon in South Africa was one of the biggest gains of the money-spinner tournament.

President Barack Obama's visit here next week is a pivotal point in relations between Indonesia and the United States. Indonesia is now also an established democracy, both countries adhere to market economies and both are viewed as important players in the Asia-Pacific region.

Indonesia, will host U.S. President Obama, a visit that could establish important scientific ties between the United States and Indonesia and implement a potentially powerful piece of vaccine diplomacy.

Whether Indonesia should or should not play a global role is no longer a matter of choice for Indonesia. Given its membership of the G20, and its recent involvement in addressing issues of global concern, such as climate change and energy security, Indonesia is already there.