Speaker
Description
Author: Ni Nyoman Ayu Suciartini
Affiliation: Doctoral Program in Language Education, Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Indonesia.
Email: ayu.suciartini@student.undiksha.ac.id
Abstract
Amid increasing global interactions and competition for international influence, cultural diplomacy has become an important strategy for strengthening national identity, international reputation, and cross-cultural engagement. Children's literature offers significant potential in this context, functioning not merely as a medium for literacy development and character education but also as a cultural representation of a nation's values, traditions, identities, and local wisdom. This study aims to examine the potential of Indonesian children's literature as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and soft power in fostering cross-cultural understanding and strengthening Indonesia's position in international relations. Employing a qualitative approach through library research and document analysis, this study examines Indonesian children's literary works that represent cultural diversity, folklore, mythology, traditional practices, humanitarian values, and local wisdom. The analysis draws on cultural diplomacy perspectives and Joseph Nye's concept of soft power, particularly the capacity of a country to influence international audiences through the attractiveness of its culture and values. It explores how local narratives embedded in children's literature can be transformed into accessible, inclusive, and meaningful representations of Indonesian culture for international readers. Furthermore, this study investigates the potential of translation, international publishing, digital adaptation, and cross-cultural literacy exchanges as strategies for introducing Indonesian children's literature to global audiences. The study is expected to contribute a conceptual framework for developing children's literature as a sustainable instrument of cultural diplomacy. Ultimately, Indonesian children's literature should be understood not only as a means of transmitting cultural heritage across generations but also as a form of soft power that communicates national identity, encourages intercultural dialogue, and expands Indonesia's cultural presence in the international arena.
Keywords: children's literature; cultural diplomacy; soft power; cultural identity; Indonesia.
Conference Theme: Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power.
Preferred Presentation Language: English.
Preferred Presentation Mode: On-site.
Author Biography
Ni Nyoman Ayu Suciartini is a doctoral student in the Doctoral Program in Language Education at Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Indonesia. She is a lecturer in the Department of Elementary School Teacher Education at Universitas Hindu Negeri I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa Denpasar. Her academic interests include Indonesian language education, children's literature, literacy studies, cultural studies, and the integration of local wisdom into educational practices. She is also a children's literature writer and the founder of Rumah Belajar Pustaka Biru, an educational initiative promoting literacy, creative writing, and children's engagement with literature and cultural heritage.
| Teaching and Learning BIPA | others |
|---|---|
| Digital Inovation | Educational Technologies |
| Literature and Translation | Crosscultural Adaptation |
| Language, society, and regional relations | Cultural Diplomacy |
| Online / Onsite | onsite |