Indonesians gain real view of U.S.

Published Thursday, April 15, 2004.

Prior to arriving in Athens with a group of 13 other Indonesian delegates, Michael Mamentu, a teacher at Sam Ratulangi University in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, remembers harboring a distorted image of American society.

After a week in Southeast Ohio filled with activities ranging from contra dancing at the Dairy Barn to a scenario-planning workshop with the U.S. Institute of Peace, Mamentu and fellow participants of the Indonesian Conflict Management Delegation said they have acquired a broad understanding of the United States and its people. "One of the most important things that we are learning from our workshop here is not only about the (peace-building) method, but about the U.S. culture. So many people are thinking negatively about Americans now, but we saw (American society) directly here. It's not like we imagined before. I can tell this to my friends," Mamentu said.

Along these lines, Alan Tidwell of the Institute of Peace worked with the 14 delegates to increase communication and peace-making strategies between the Indonesian leaders. Participants envisioned possible scenarios for their nation in the future and went on to discuss ways of working toward the best future for Indonesia. "Indonesia has many conflicts because Indonesia has many cultures, many races and many religions. I think after this program we will come away with many advantages from this program, and it will help us to manage the conflict in Indonesian communities," said Tuti Alawiyah, a researcher for the Center for Languages and Cultures at Syarif Hidayatullah National Islamic University in Jakarta.

The Indonesian leaders fondly recall the cultural events that highlighted their week in Ohio, which included a trip to the Athens Farmers' market and Wal-Mart, a visit to a local farm, Easter morning church services and a tour of Hocking Hills State Park.
Concluding the OU segment of the program, participants gathered last night in the rotunda of the new Lecture Hall Facility to reflect on the progress that was accomplished during the week. Sentiment was unanimously positive as representatives from each party expressed a hope that the program would be one occasion in a continuing segment of similar events.

In the next two weeks, OU faculty will accompany the Indonesians to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Lancaster, Pa., New York City, Cincinnati and Chicago to participate in similar peace making activities and seminars.

"I think that they have learned a lot by meeting real Americans and seeing that we have a difference of opinion and that we're not all miniature George Bushes," said Ann Shoemake, an OU doctorate student and consultant for the project. "Experiencing all of the different programs while working on peace strategies for their own country has opened their eyes to the variety of American life, the variety of American values and the different opinions that exist here. It gives them a much more realistic view of the U.S."

Source: http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/Articles/Culture/2004/04/15/4929/