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Mission Statement

We are non-political, non-religious, non-profit Indonesia-America friendship association

that aims at promoting and fostering friendship

through the language of culture, science, ports and humanity
in order to create a world of friendship, a world of peace.

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PERHIMPUNAN PERSAHABATAN INDONESIA-AMERIKA

(The Indonesian – American Friendship Association)

WHAT IS PPIA?

Established in 1959 as Lembaga Indonesia–Amerika (LIA), its primary mission is to foster closer friendship ties between Indonesians and Americans through mutual appreciation of one another’s culture, to enhance the amicable relations that exist between the two nations. Formally, Perhimpunan Persahabatan Indonesia–Amerika (PPIA) is a friendship association established according to terms laid down by Ministerial Regulation of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. PPIA is a nonreligious, nonpolitical, nonprofit making body aimed at promoting closer ties between Indonesian and American citizens.

WHO ARE MEMBERS OF PPIA?

Members of PPIA consist of Indonesians and Americans who are committed to the Association’s mission of promoting cultural understanding. Those who are 17 years or older may become members of the Association. There is a nominal annual membership fee for individuals as well as for couples which entitles members to participate in the activities of PPIA. Inquiries and applications for membership may be addressed to the PPIA Secretariat.

WHAT CAN A MEMBER EXPECT FROM PPIA?

Members are invited to cultural and social events, seminars, and other programs. Participation in PPIA and its activities provides members with the unique experience of furthering mutual understanding and appreciation of the respective cultures of the two nations, Indonesia and the United States. Differences in the perspectives of the people who come from different cultural backgrounds are better understood in the social settings that the Association strives to cultivate. There is something immensely rewarding in sharing one’s experiences, knowledge, and expertise with others and learning how others from a different cultural background deal with the same matters. Close personal relationships that are established in the warmth and friendly surroundings of Friendship Associations go along towards promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES OF PPIA?

PPIA’s activities include a variety of programs such as English language scholarship awards, donation of food to disaster victims, setting up libraries, book donation, traditional – classical – country musical programs, friendly games, drive to increase younger age membership. Day tour around Jakarta are periodically organized for the purpose of introducing historical places and as well as local culture. Practicing the line and square dance as well as the gamelan are our routine weekly programs. PPIA NEWS, PPIA’s bi-monthly, which serves as the organization’s media of communication, is distributed to members every 2 months. The motto of the PPIA NEWS has always been: A Media for the members and by the members.

HOW IS PPIA FINANCED?

PPIA is an independent organization supported from funds generated from various programs. The annual membership fee collected from members goes towards activities of the Association. PPIA is also the recipient of unbinding donations. Yayasan LIA was established in 1986 to acquire and manage the assets previously owned and operated by PPIA. Because of these historical ties Yayasan LIA continues to provide major support for PPIA’s programs.

THE ORGANIZATION OF PPIA

The Association’s organization consists of the General Assembly of Association Members, the Board of Directors of the Association, the Executive Director and staff. The Board of Directors consists of five Indonesians and four Americans. The Association Board of Directors provide working directions and guidelines to the fulltime Executive Director and staff.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

The Association Board holds a biennial (once every two years) General Assembly to receive the report of the outgoing Board and to elect a new Board. The General Assembly is open to all registered members. Ordinary members, Supporting Members, and Honorary Members may attend the General Assembly of the Association Members. Only Ordinary Members of the Association may vote and be nominated as members of the Association of Board of Directors.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF PPIA

PPIA or The Indonesian – American Friendship Association was first established in Jakarta in September 1959 as Lembaga Indonesia–Amerika (LIA) by a group of Indonesians and Americans who wanted to find a means by which to foster a better understanding on one another’s culture. With impetus assistance from the United States Information Service (USIS), activities of LIA in the early days revolved around English language teaching and cultural programs. The political environment of the 1960s, however, forced LIA to close down in 1965 and it was not until 1968 that activities were once again resumed. In 1969, LIA established a branch in Surabaya, inaugurated by the late Bapak Mangunkusumo, then the Chairman of the Board of Directors. This was followed in 1973 by a branch in Medan established by the late Bapak Didi Kartasasmita, LIA’s then Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Up to 1965, activities were largely subsidized by the US Government through USIS. This support was reduced gradually to the extent that LIA was capable of generating funds for its own support,, primarily through its highly successful language training program. By 1976, LIA no longer relied on outside financial assistance and became totally independent. In 1978 LIA moved from its office on Jalan Teuku Umar no. 9, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat to Jalan Pramuka in Jakarta Timur. After constructing its own new building in Jalan Pramuka, LIA continued to remain a symbol of cooperation between Indonesia and the United States.

Another landmark in LIA’s history was the appointment of its first Indonesian Executive Director, the late Bapak Suryo-di-Puro in 1979. With this move, there was increased focus on activities that would raise the level of mutual knowledge and awareness of both communities, Indonesian as well as American.

A Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs issued in 1980 governing bilateral friendship associations brought about the name change to Perhimpunan Persahabatan Indonesia-Amerika by which the organization is now known. PPIA has been operationally active under this banner since then, and formally in operation with new by laws since 1986. Yayasan LIA was established with its own different bylaws in the same years sharing the same Board of Directors with PPIA.

The demand to learn English at PPIA was so great that two PPIA branches in Jakarta were established in Slipi and MT Haryono respectively in 1982 and 1983.

In 1986 as an association with no status as a “legal body” due to the Ministerial Regulation, PPIA transferred all its assets to Yayasan LIA. Yayasan LIA then managed all of the assets in its fast growing English language teaching program to develop and extend its branches all over Indonesia. In the mean time the Board of Directors of the two organizations were separated. Despite of the board separation, Yayasan LIA continues to be the principal source of support of PPIA’s activities.

Perhimpunan Persahabatan Indonesia-Amerika (PPIA)

The Indonesian-American Friendship Association

MLI II Building, 2nd floor, Jl. MT Haryono Kav. 49, Pancoran,

Jakarta 12770 INDONESIA

Phone: +62-21-7918 1149; +62-21-790 1460

Fax.: +62-21-7918 1148

Web: www.ppia-online.org

E-mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated ( Monday, 01 September 2008 10:28 )