Bringing Betawi Culture to Japan, 16 Participants Begin Intensive Preparation

LINTAS86.com, JAKARTA - A total of 16 participants have joined a centralized training program ahead of their departure for a cultural exchange program in Japan, scheduled to take place from November 5 to 11.

The training is being held at the PMI Jakarta Provincial Headquarters on Kramat Raya Street No. 47, Central Jakarta.

The delegation consists of 12 students and four mentors representing various areas across Jakarta.

The training program was officially opened by Maeza Angga Rizki, Head of Youth Members and Volunteers Affairs at PMI Jakarta Province, who outlined the activities participants will undertake during the exchange program.

“These Red Cross Youth members will visit the Japanese Red Cross for a cultural exchange. We will bring Jakarta’s culture, traditional arts, and local culinary specialties, all of which will be presented in Japan,” Maeza said.

In addition to introducing Betawi culture, participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and perspectives with young people from Japan.

Maeza explained that the training focuses on Red Cross knowledge, PMR activities, and language preparation to ensure participants are ready for international engagement.

“The program will take place from November 5 to 11. During this first day of training, we are discussing Red Cross principles, daily PMR activities, and learning basic Japanese vocabulary and everyday conversation so that participants can present themselves and their materials more effectively during the program,” he said.

According to the organizing committee, the participants are PMR Madya and PMR Wira members who successfully passed a selection process prior to the program.

Maeza believes that the exchange initiative will broaden participants’ perspectives while strengthening their ability to adapt and contribute in an international environment.

“This student exchange program is part of our effort to develop a generation of Red Cross Youth members who are not only compassionate toward others but also capable of adapting and contributing in a global environment,” he added.

One of the participants, Windaru Naina Nindiasyam from SMPN 95 Jakarta, said she felt proud and honored to be selected as one of Jakarta’s representatives.

“At first, I truly could not believe the result. I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to travel to Japan. For me, this is an incredibly meaningful experience that required a great deal of effort before I was finally selected as one of the representatives,” Windaru said.

She explained that she has been actively preparing herself ahead of the trip by studying topics related to Japan and refining the cultural materials she will present.

“The first thing I did was learn various kinds of knowledge that may be useful during my stay in Japan. I have also been preparing materials about Betawi culture that I will introduce there,” she said.

Windaru also expressed a strong interest in learning about Japan’s disaster preparedness system and how communities are trained to respond to emergencies from an early age.

“My biggest hope is that Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity will become even more widely recognized internationally. I want young people from other countries to get to know Indonesia better through the culture that we share,” she said.

The upcoming exchange program is expected to strengthen cultural ties between Indonesia and Japan while providing participants with valuable international experience, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of humanitarian values and global citizenship.

Writer: Benhil M.
Editor: Editorial Team