THE CONTRIBUTION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION: IDN – USA ON ACHIEVING INDONESIAN NATIONAL INTEREST THROUGH REMARKABLE INDONESIA FAIR IN CHICAGO (2016-2019)

Abstract

Diaspora has an important role in nation and state development. Saving great potential, empowering and providing facilities to contribute and sustain one another is the key to unleashing the potential for the development of a nation and state. This is what is realized by the Indonesia Diaspora Network. Being a forum for the Indonesian diaspora to voice opinions and work for the development of Indonesia, the Indonesia Diaspora Network organizes several events in accordance with its vision and mission as having the main point for the development of Indonesia and its diaspora. One chapter of the Indonesia Diaspora Network namely the Indonesia Diaspora Network chapter of the United States holds an annual event, the Remarkable Indonesia Fair event. This event was the result of collaboration between the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Chicago, the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center and the Indonesia Diaspora Network USA chapter which was held four times from 2016 to 2019. This event was intended to promote a picture of the culture in Indonesia. In this research thesis, the research method used is a qualitative method. As for the theory, the authors use two approaches namely the theory of public diplomacy and non-governmental approach on practicing public diplomacy to answer research question which are how did IDN-USA as an NGO use Remarkable Indonesia Fair in order to promote Indonesia? Beside to promote Indonesia its culture and tourism to US society, this event also to achieve the national interest of Indonesia toward US and one of them answering miss-perception regarding negative opinion about Indonesian immigrants that acknowledged by US society. As the result, this event was successful to answer misperception by looking at the indicators of the number of visitors and total transactions collected. an average of 2000 visitors each year from 2016 to 2019 and total transactions collected with an average of USD 9000-USD 10000. This success can be a stepping stone or the beginning of opening opportunities that can support Indonesia-US relations.