REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Four Indonesian students hailing from three universities participated in a week-long exchange program called "Encompass," which was recently held at the Plas Gwynant Center, Snowdon, England.
The program was initiated for the first time in 2003, a year after the Bali bombing incident. Alex and Mandy, a couple from England who lost their son in the bombing, decided to start an exchange program, which garnered the participation of students from around the world. The program aims to strengthen relations among the participants, regardless of their religious beliefs or citizenship.
This year's Encompass program had 24 participants including four from Indonesia and from four other countries such as Israel, Palestine, the United States, and England. The participants were involved in various group discussions, games, and outdoor activities.
"We had a good experience. We learnt how to help and respect each other no matter where we are coming from or what skin color we have," stated Panggalih Seno Pamungkas, a 19-year-old participant of the Encompass program who is also a student at the Brawijaya University of Central Java province.
In the meantime, Destarizky Tidoputri Pratama and Lilis Nurhayati from Malang State University and Muhammad Munawwir Tipu Mass Mattaro from the Muhammadiyah University Malang, the three other Indonesians, expressed hope that the Encompass program would contribute to reducing prejudice and conflict in the world.
"I got a lot from this program. I got friends, knowledge, and an understanding about my new friends' countries of origin," Lilis claimed.
She also added that the Encompass program had enabled her to gain comprehensive knowledge about the Israel-Palestine conflict, an issue which has garnered significant attention in Indonesia.
In the meantime, First Secretary of the Indonesian Embassy in London Heni Hamidah lauded the participation of Indonesian students in the 2014 Encompass program, stating that the students had done a commendable job representing Indonesia in the exchange program.
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