Italy-Indonesia: 'Pancasila' values as an exemple of integration
Rome - The Italian government admired the values of Pancasila, the core ideology of Indonesian philosophical foundation and state, as an ideal example of a unified nation. This was stated through a Cross-Confidence Dialogue titled "Pluralism and Integration in Indonesian and Italian Societies: Perspective, Opportunities, Challenges", at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. President of Comunita' Religiosa Islamica Italia (COREIS), Imam Yahya Pallavicini, said that the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" is very relevant in the process of integration of Italian society. In addition, the Indonesian government's policy of prioritizing youth involvement can make the process more effective for the long term. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry in its press statement said that the Italian government views the values of Pancasila underlying the life of nation and state in Indonesia can be an example of the process of integration of the nation in Italy. "Indonesia and Italy share a common understanding of the importance of promoting interfaith dialogue, especially amid rising intensity of terrorism, extremism and radicalism issues," said Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cecep Herawan. According to him, the Indonesian government itself is committed to promote interfaith dialogue by prioritizing the socio-cultural approach through empowering stakeholders, especially religious leaders, national figures, academics, and youth. Meanwhile, Professor Azyumardi Azra from State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, who became one of the speakers from Indonesia, explained that the five principles of Pancasila emphasize the principle of acceptance of whoever becomes a part of the nation. The issue of integration is currently emerging in Italy. With the highest number of refugees and asylum seekers in the EU, the Italian government sees an important process of sociocultural assimilation between migrants and local people.