Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

This study provides a critical examination of the Indonesian diaspora, organized by the Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN), as a potential national asset in the future. The IDN has been seen as one of the movements to promote Indonesia in the international community; recognizing the potential of an Indonesian diaspora as a social and economic forces for a better Indonesia and a better world. The IDN comes with different ideas, skills and potential; and they have initiated task force groups to implement some flagship causes and advocacies, both in Indonesia and overseas. Some of IDN members argue it is time for Indonesia to implement the dual citizenship system. However, while the authors agree that Indonesian diaspora could bring positive impacts for Indonesia in long term, dual citizenship is not the only answer. The authors believe that there are negative impacts of dual citizenship in Indonesia. This paper uses the defense approach and mainly focuses on opportunities the Indonesian diaspora would bring, while analyzing threats in defense perspective that the dual citizenship system would bring. In the end of the day, the Indonesian government must contrive some regulations to provide all parties involved opporunities to maximize the potential from the Indonesian diaspora.