Indah Morgan, Indonesian Diaspora Activist :
Our migrant workers need advocates

Indah Morgan's visit to Indonesia last August was a busy one. She not only attended the Indonesian Diaspora Congress in Jakarta and a related event in Yogyakarta organized by the Javanese diaspora, she also traveled to Bandung in West Java, to Semarang in Central Java, to Banyuwangi in East Java, and to Lampung in Sumatra.

Despite the destination-filled itinerary, Indah was not on vacation. This former global coordinator of Immigration and Citizenship Taskforce of the Indonesian Diaspora Network met with former migrant workers, activists and even government officials, such as the regent of Banyuwangi. "I discussed with him the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community," said Indah, 49, at one of the side events of the Indonesian Diaspora Congress. "Indonesia sends skilled workers to other countries not just as workers, but also as envoys of tourism, culinary expertise, education, and culture. My dream is that the government will adopt more people-to-people diplomacy for Indonesia," said Indah.