INDONESIA AND AFRICA

The Asian-African Conference (AAC) was convened in Bandung on 18-24 April 1955. The AAC considered problems of common interests and concerns to countries of Asia and Africa and discussed ways and means by which their peoples could achieve fuller economic, cultural and political cooperation.

The Leaders of Asia and Africa who participated in the AAC envisioned a world order of independence, peace, justice and common prosperity. They crafted a new ethos to govern the relationship between nations, which was called the Spirit of the Bandung Asian-African Conference of 1955 (the Bandung Spirit).

The Leaders at the AAC declared that nations should practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, which would effectively maintain and promote international peace and security, while cooperation in the economic, social and cultural field would help bring about the common prosperity and well being of all. more...

The Ten Principles of Bandung

1. Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
2. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
3. Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations large and small.
4. Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
5. Adoption of the Outcome of the Asian-African Summit.
6. (a). Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers. (b). Abstention by any country from exerting pressures on other countries.
7. Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.
8. Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement as well as other peaceful means of the parties' own choice, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
9. Promotion of mutual interests and co-operation.
10. Respect for justice and international obligations.

Inspired by desires to eternalize the Asian-African Conference, the idea of establishing a Museum of the Asian-African Conference in Gedung Merdeka was born by Prof. Dr. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, S.H., LL.M.. The idea was delivered in the meeting of the Committee for the Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (1980), which was attended by Directorate General of Culture, Prof. Dr. Haryati Soebadio as a representative for the Department of Culture and Education. Fortunately, the idea was fully supported including President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto

The idea of establishing the Museum of the Asian-African Conference had been materialized by Joop Ave, the Executive Chairman of the Committee of the 25th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference and Director General of Protocol and Consular in the Department of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with Department of Information, Department of Education and Culture, the Provincial Government of West Java, and Padjadjaran University. The technical planning and its execution was carried out by PT Decenta, Bandung.

The Museum of the Asian-African Conference was inaugurated by President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto on 24th April 1980 as the culmination of the 25th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference.

For more information on the museum, the history of the Asia-Africa Conference and its development, including the important documents, please visit www.asianafrican-museum.org