REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro emphasized that Indonesia's diverse culture should become an important capital that will contribute to the nation's development.

"Japan, South Korea, or China are capable of accelerating socio-economic development based on culture to capitalize on the values and cultural wealth through a modernization process," he stated while giving a keynote speech at a seminar on "The Role of Culture in National Development" in Bappenas Office, Jakarta on Tuesday.

He said pluralism in Indonesia has become a social reality that characterizes the lives of people in society and should not make the country weak and vulnerable to conflict and disintegration.

Plurality could serve as a basic capital for Indonesia's national development, so that the country will become powerful and superior. 

"In addition, national development should cover various aspects of the people's lives that not only focus on economic development but also take into account the cultural aspect," he revealed. 

Through the cultural seminar, Bappenas was looking to seek and draw aspiration and advice from experts in the field of culture, such as practitioners, academics, analysts, and the public.

The inputs will be used as a source of information by Bappenas in preparation for the National Development Planning Meeting to be held in late April 2017.

The seminar was attended by several speakers, such as Head of Banyuwangi District Abdullah Azwar Anas; founder of Sokola Rimba Saur Marlina Manurung; Director General of Culture of the Education and Culture Ministry Hilmar Farid; Director of Higher Education, Science, and Culture of Bappenas Amich Alhumami; anthropologist Hans Antlov; Expert of Culture at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Indonesia Melani Budianta; and President of the Jember Fashion Carnival Dynand Fariz. 

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