Semarang, Indonesia – February 29, 2024 – In an effort to foster mutual understanding and healing, a profound international peace dialogue was held at the Ereveld Candi Memorial Cemetery, where descendants of Dutch war victims and students from the International Relations Department of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) gathered to reflect on the traumatic past and discuss the importance of peace in the present and future.

The session, titled “Connecting Generations: Remembrance and Building Future Peace”, brought together 33 family members of Dutch war victims, spanning four generations, who paid tribute to their ancestors in a ceremony marked by wreath-laying. This symbolic act was followed by a thought-provoking discussion led by Colonel Norbert Moerkens, Defense Attaché from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Eveline de Vink, Director of the Oorlogsgravenstichting Indonesia.

The goal of this event was to create a space for collective reflection on the shared past of conflict and colonialism while emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and peacebuilding. The presence of around 25 UNDIP students, many of whom are descendants of those affected by Indonesia’s struggle for independence, added a crucial generational perspective to the discourse.

In a carefully structured program, participants were invited to engage in intimate, facilitated small-group discussions, where they shared personal stories, reflected on the impact of war on their families, and deliberated on the importance of peace. The event closed with collective reflections, reiterating the significance of remembering the past to ensure a peaceful future.

Key Highlights of the Event:

• Wreath-Laying Ceremony: Family members of the war victims, alongside Colonel Moerkens, commemorated the fallen soldiers with solemn wreath-laying.
• Small-Group Discussions: Facilitated dialogues between the Dutch war victims’ descendants and UNDIP students created space for empathy, reflection, and cross-cultural exchanges.
• Shared Reflections: Students and participants reflected on how learning about the horrors of war can inspire future peace efforts.

About Oorlogsgravenstichting (OGS):

Oorlogsgravenstichting is a Dutch foundation responsible for managing the graves of Dutch war casualties in Indonesia. Their mission is to preserve the history and memory of those who sacrificed their lives, as well as promote reconciliation and understanding between the nations.

This dialogue not only offered an opportunity for healing but also helped in bridging generational and cultural divides, reinforcing the shared responsibility of fostering a future where peace and mutual respect prevail.