Strategy Of Indonesian Cultural Diplomacy Through Bipa Program In Building Ecosystem Of Indonesian Language Learners In Germany (2023 - 2025)

Abstract

As part of Indonesia's cultural diplomacy and language internationalization strategy, this article analyzes Indonesia's educational policy through the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) Program in Germany. The study looks at how BIPA serves as a soft power tool to bolster Indonesia's global footprint in addition to being a language learning program. This study employs a qualitative methodology and draws from policy documents, literature reviews, and interviews with government officials and APPBIPA. The results demonstrate that Law No. 24 of 2009 and associated rules supporting Indonesian as an international language provide a solid legal basis for the BIPA Program in Germany. Indonesian institutions and German universities work together to implement BIPA in Germany, incorporating Indonesian language and culture into academic and cross-cultural learning. Three primary implementation tactics are identified by the study: innovation, consistency, and connection. Innovation can be seen in the use of digital media and culturally appropriate teaching materials; consistency can be seen in teacher training and sustained curriculum development; and connection can be seen in diplomatic networks and institutional cooperation. The program nevertheless confronts obstacles despite its beneficial contribution to cultural diplomacy, such as bureaucratic restrictions, a lack of realistic language contexts, competition from other international languages, and a lack of government backing. The study concludes that BIPA has significant potential to strengthen Indonesia’s soft power, although broader political, cultural, and institutional support remains necessary to achieve the goal of internationalizing the Indonesian language by 2045.