It is important for young people to equip themselves with knowledge so they later on become skilled labor and can compete in the global labor market. Such is the welcoming remarks of the Mayor of Medan Drs. Rahudman Harahap MM, as he opened the Seminar on "Employment Opportunities in International Organizations" in Medan (04/12/2012).
The seminar which is intended to encourage the younger generation to work in international organization, is an initiative of the Secretariat of the Multilateral Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, at the invitation of member of the Council of North Sumatra, Parlindungan Purba SH, MM and Law Students Association of Asia (ALSA), Syiah Kuala University.
"Indonesia's membership in international organizations opens many opportunities for the children of Indonesia to work and also become part of diplomatic missions of Indonesia," said Dominicus Supratikto Secretary Director General of Multilateral Affairs, Foreign Affairs Ministry.
In addition, Dominicus stressed that the opportunity to work in international organizations is very open. This is because Indonesia is a member of 215 international organizations. However, he added, to this day, there are only about 3037 people who make use of this opportunity.
"Until now, there are 249 people working as international officials and 2788 people working as a national employee in the representatives of international organizations in Indonesia," said Dominicus.
Looking at the facts, Mayor of Medan and Council Member, Parlindungan Purba SH, MM, agree to accommodate the wishes of the people who intend to work in the field of international organization.
Similarly, Tina Karjono of UNDP said that the employment opportunities and recruitment system in the UN agencies are open and transparent. There is also, he added, a Young Professionals Programme as a special line to become an international staff of UN agencies.
Add to the explanation, Ramsey Ramli from ADB also explained the working position in the ADM and the various scholarships offered. In front of 120 participants consisting of a graduate student, alumni of the university, as well as the ranks of the Provincial and Municipal Government, Ramli explains how to seize opportunities for job / internship at the missions.
Besides being held in Medan (12.04.2012), the event was also held in Banda Aceh (04/13/2012). Not unlike in Medan, the seminar in Banda Aceh is also high in demand proven by the number of participants. It is noted that there are approximately 167 participants attending the seminar which was composed of students, alumni of various universities, academics and those from the Provincial and Municipal Government.
Ambassador Bagas Hapsoro, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN, which also became one of the speakers, welcomed the children of Aceh to work in the ASEAN Secretariat. The people of Aceh, in his greeting, were close to the ASEAN since the tsunami disaster in 2004.
Meanwhile, in explaining the employment opportunities in the UN agencies, Tina Karjono of UNDP said that job opportunities in the UN is not just limited to graduates of master and doctorate program only. It could be from bachelor degree as well, but with extensive work experience and language proficiency. This is complemented by an explanation by Drs. Fauzi MPH, Vice Rector IV, University of Banda Aceh, which was once also worked for Save the Children, UNICEF, UNOCHA, and JICA prior to his dedication in the university.
Furthermore at the end of the session, Dr. Ali Sulaiman of Syiah Kuala University emphasized that working in international organizations is an opportunity that must be used by young people of Aceh.
"Moreover, employment in Aceh is still limited with the relatively high unemployment rate," said Dr. Sulaiman emphasized.
In addition to exposure and question and answer session, the seminar was followed by the exhibition of publicity materials published by international organizations such as those from the ASEAN Secretariat, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO. (Source: Setditjen Multilateral / Ed. PY)