Jakarta, November 15, 2025 - Amidst an ever-turbulent geopolitical landscape, the understanding of cross-cultural communication and diplomacy in conflict zones has become increasingly urgent. Responding to the challenges of communication's role in the current era of Globalization, Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA) held a public lecture titled "The Implementation of Cross-Cultural Communication in Conflict Areas" alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Embassy in Ukraine at the UNDIRA Campus in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta.

The event featured two practitioners with direct experience on the front lines of the European crisis: the Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine, Arief Muhammad Basalamah, and the former Indonesian Defense Attaché to Ukraine, Col. Sus. Adi Triadi.

This public lecture served not only as an academic forum but also as a window into the reality of the war in Ukraine, which, as of late 2025, has entered a protracted conflict phase. The war has triggered a large-scale humanitarian crisis, destroyed vital infrastructure, and forced millions to flee.

Students were encouraged not merely to understand communication theory, but to witness its application in situations where a single wrong word can have massive implications.

UNDIRA's Vice-Rector III, Dr. Ir. Muhammad Hasanuddin Thoyieb, M.M., who was in attendance, opened the event, calling the forum a "special and insightful moment." "The presence of the Ambassador and Colonel Sus. Adi Triadi today is an honor. This is not just an ordinary public lecture," said Hasanuddin. "This meeting provides us with a rare opportunity to gain practical knowledge directly from practitioners in the international sphere. We hope this also opens new opportunities for institutional development and, most importantly, broadens our students' horizons," he remarked.

Ambassador Arief Muhammad Basalamah, who has navigated the complexities of diplomacy in Kyiv, shared his perspective. He explained how communication serves as a vital tool for understanding the motivations behind the conflict.

In his presentation, Ambassador Arief highlighted that amid the sound of artillery and rampant information warfare (disinformation), a diplomat's duty is to keep communication channels open. He emphasized the importance of diplomacy in striving for harmony, or at the very least, mitigating the humanitarian impact of the war.

"Communication in a conflict zone is not just about political negotiations," Ambassador Arief explained. "It is about how we convey empathy, how we protect our citizens who are trapped, and how we build trust with all parties to channel humanitarian aid," he asserted.

He underscored that understanding the local culture, historical sentiments, and collective trauma is the key to ensuring Indonesian diplomacy is accepted and effective in Ukraine.

Adding a strategic and defense perspective, Col. Adi Triadi provided an in-depth analysis of the evolution of diplomacy in the modern era. As a former Defense Attaché, Col. Adi has direct experience witnessing the military and political dynamics in Ukraine.

According to him, diplomacy can no longer be defined merely as bilateral cooperation between governments. "Amid global polarization, Indonesia's role in multilateral forums has become crucial. However, in affirming our understanding and support for Ukraine's social rights, we are not limited to participation in the defense sector. Today, through social media platforms and even cultural exhibitions as non-verbal communication media, we can also spread awareness of the situation in Ukraine, which is expected to amplify our collective voice in supporting their freedom," Col. Adi stated firmly.

Furthermore, Col. Adi highlighted the often-overlooked aspect of 'soft power.' "We are also talking about how to raise awareness of Ukraine's existence in the eyes of the world. This is crucial for building future engagement and a solid post-conflict foundation."

This public lecture affirms UNDIRA's position as a dynamic, professional, and visionary educational institution, attuned to developments both domestically and abroad. By featuring an Ambassador and a defense expert, UNDIRA demonstrates its active role in equipping students with a global perspective on the role of communication in cross-cultural contexts and the principles of communication for analyzing the geopolitical issues surrounding us.

With the implementation of this international cooperation with the Indonesian Embassy in Ukraine, it is hoped that an academic network will be established through cooperation between UNDIRA and four universities in Ukraine: The National University of Ostroh Academy, the National Academy of Managerial Staff of Culture and Arts (NAKKIM), the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA), and Nazhyn Mykola Gogol State University, as well as various other opportunities.

(Danang Respati Wicaksono / Humas UNDIRA)