THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INDONESIA'S CULTURAL DIPLOMACY THROUGH "INDONESIAN ARTS AND CULTURAL SCHOLARSHIP (IACS)" INDONESIAN CULTURAL IN THAILAND (2015-2018)

Abstract

This thesis is motivated by the increasingly diverse ways in conducting diplomacy. One of them is through culture, culture currently has an important role in International Relations, through a cultural approach it can create mutual understanding that can create good relations between countries and also can create peace. This research is intended to explain about the application of Indonesian cultural diplomacy in Thailand with a view to promoting Indonesian culture in Thailand through the Thai youth by implementing one of the programs of the Directorate General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, namely the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (IACS). IACS is a form of cultural diplomacy by utilizing the soft power that Indonesia has to promote Indonesian culture in Thailand so that IACS is also as a tool for Indonesia to improve relations between Indonesia and Thailand. IACS is also a form of Indonesia's commitment to promoting culture as well as proof of Indonesia's commitment in advancing socio-cultural in Southeast Asian countries. This thesis uses a qualitative research method to explain the phenomenon being discussed which draws sources from books, journals, official website reports, government agencies, and interviews from several related parties. There are several theories elaborated in this thesis, which are soft power, public diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy. This research ultimately shows that culture plays an important role in creating good relations between countries, and the IACS program can also create friends of Indonesia through the younger generation who will later help Indonesia to promote Indonesian culture in their respective countries.