IG.NET, JAKARTA – Although it was delayed for several years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 20th ASEAN Journalists General Assembly or Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ) will be held in Kuta, Bali from 11 to 15 October 2022.
This Southeast Asian Journalists’ event cannot be separated from the figure of a senior journalist who has been in the international arena for a period of 30 years. Yes, Bob Iskandar, the Brand Ambassador of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) specifically in charge of foreign relations, can be called the figure behind the scenes for the success of various world journalist activities.
It’s not unreasonable, Uncle Bob, his nickname, is often involved in world-class journalists’ meetings. Among them, journalists’ associations in Africa, Europe, America and the International Federation of Journalists, Brussels, Belgium. In addition to CAJ’s senior director, Bob Iskandar is known as a ‘bridge’ for collaboration between journalists across countries in sharing information and experiences about world journalism.
Uniquely, in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 or known as the application of modern technology, Uncle Bob is still actively writing using a pen on a piece of paper. In fact, the presentation script for the 20th meeting of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists in Bali, was also presented in very neat handwriting. “I have prepared starting from the trial materials, guidebooks, the presence of the Asean State participants to coordination and direct consultation with Mr. President of CAJ Thepchai Yong,” said Bob Iskandar when contacted, Sunday 9 Oktober 2022.
He said that although the last decision of the PWI leadership was quite short, he had prepared from 3 months ago to prepare everything so that the event went according to plan. “It’s quite a complication, because you have to know the names of the participants, a copy of the passport and various other administrations that must be completed,” he explained However, on the basis of experience in the foreign field, especially CAJ, Uncle Bob was able to prepare it carefully. He also hopes that the event in Bali will become a positive exposure for PWI internals from the outside world so that they are increasingly recognized by the world press community, both those in the Asean Region, South Asia, Asia Pacific and the rest of the world.
“I hope that this event will be a success with great enthusiasm so that it can be enjoyed by all ASEAN press participants and become the pride of PWI or Indonesian journalists and the role of journalists to rise worldwide to go international,” he said. For information, the establishment of CAJ aims to advance the life of journalism and improve the life of a free and responsible press; strengthen internal relations between ASEAN journalists and between ASEAN journalists and journalists’ organizations around the world; enhance mutual understanding and cooperation among ASEAN citizens for the realization of prosperity, social justice and peace; fight for the aspirations and interests of ASEAN citizens so that there is better mutual understanding and appreciation by the world community.
For information, the establishment of CAJ aims to advance the life of journalism and improve the life of a free and responsible press; strengthen internal relations between ASEAN journalists and between ASEAN journalists and journalists’ organizations around the world; enhance mutual understanding and cooperation among ASEAN citizens for the realization of prosperity, social justice and peace; fight for the aspirations and interests of ASEAN citizens so that there is better mutual understanding and appreciation by the world community.
The idea for establishing CAJ emerged in the early 1970s from prominent journalists/senior editors. They want that through various media, each within ASEAN is able to contribute various thoughts and ideas to the founders of the Association of ASEAN Nations so that the Southeast Asian region is free from the influence and rivalry of the Cold War at that time. For this reason, through the work of journalists and their media in this region, it is necessary to establish cooperation, consultation and create peace between the hearts and minds of the people of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the journalist organizations that are included in it are the Indonesian Journalists’ Association (Indonesian Journalists’ Association), Malaysia’s National Union of Journalists (NUJM), National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC), Singapore National Union of Journalists (SNUJ), Confederation of Thai Journalists (CTJ), Vietnam Journalists Association (VJA), Laos Journalists Association (LJA).
R Mauliady Reporting
