MENITA JALAN PULANG: Strategies for Repatriation of Indonesia's Cultural Heritage in The Netherlands

Made Naraya Laksmayuda Sumaniaka, Ario Wicaksono, S.I.P., M.Si. Ph. D.

2024 | Skripsi | ILMU ADMINISTRASI NEGARA (MANAJEMEN DAN KEBIJAKAN PUBLIK)

The dynamics of cultural policy is a matter as complex as culture itself. Culture develops based on interpretations of historical flows and the growth of norms that can be seen in local, national, and international contexts. In the international context, the policy of repatriating colonial collections between the Netherlands and Indonesia is currently in the spotlight. The repatriation policy is not based solely on returning objects but also on long-term cultural cooperation between the two countries. Thus, this collaboration also demands higher responsibility. If both parties want to make repatriation policies and cultural cooperation a success, Jakarta and The Hague will need to communicate actively to build a better understanding of each other's perspectives and priorities. Not only that, this collaboration needs to balance the long-term vision of theoretical studies of colonial collection objects with the progress of practical implementation of repatriation policies. Especially since 2020, significant progress has been made in building cultural cooperation on the repatriation of Dutch and Indonesian colonial collections. However, issues such as debates on certain objects, research into the history of origins, the complexity of the Dutch government's institutional landscape, or the trap of neo-colonialism are still challenges that can hinder the implementation of repatriation policies.This policy paper analyzes the opportunities and challenges in this bilateral repatriation policy and presents six recommendations for Indonesia's strategy to foster sustainable cultural cooperation with the Netherlands. 

The dynamics of cultural policy is a matter as complex as culture itself. Culture develops based on interpretations of historical flows and the growth of norms that can be seen in local, national, and international contexts. In the international context, the policy of repatriating colonial collections between the Netherlands and Indonesia is currently in the spotlight. The repatriation policy is not based solely on returning objects but also on long-term cultural cooperation between the two countries. Thus, this collaboration also demands higher responsibility. If both parties want to make repatriation policies and cultural cooperation a success, Jakarta and The Hague will need to communicate actively to build a better understanding of each other's perspectives and priorities. Not only that, this collaboration needs to balance the long-term vision of theoretical studies of colonial collection objects with the progress of practical implementation of repatriation policies. Especially since 2020, significant progress has been made in building cultural cooperation on the repatriation of Dutch and Indonesian colonial collections. However, issues such as debates on certain objects, research into the history of origins, the complexity of the Dutch government's institutional landscape, or the trap of neo-colonialism are still challenges that can hinder the implementation of repatriation policies. This policy paper analyzes the opportunities and challenges in this bilateral repatriation policy and presents six recommendations for Indonesia's strategy to foster sustainable cultural cooperation with the Netherlands. 

Kata Kunci : repatriation, cultural heritage, colonial context, the netherlands, indonesia, cultural policy