Dear INYS friends,
First of all I would like to wish you all a fruitful, productive and of course a happy 2015!
Now that our first full year has come to an end, I can definitely say 2014 has been a pleasant and constructive year. Even though we are still in a learning process we have already managed to connect many young Dutch and Indonesians while informing organisations and the public about Indonesia and the Netherlands.
In 2014, the INYS was more than once invited to join or to help organize an event by other organizations. We are grateful to these organizations for their trust in the INYS and are looking forward to continue working together in Indonesia and the Netherlands in 2015. Our special thanks go to: Indonesia Nederland Society, Indonesia Diaspora Network, Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Nuffic Neso Indonesia and Plan Nederland.
I am happy to announce that after our official launch in the Netherlands we are now planning to officially launch a counterpart of the INYS in Jakarta in order to truly become an Indonesia Nederland Youth Society in both countries. In Indonesia I have met with young motivated Indonesians, who are looking forward to help further improve the relationship between our two countries. These meetings resulted in the formation of an Executive board, Board of Trustees and a Council of Senior Advisors in Indonesia. Initial meetings with the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have also been fruitful as both governments support our plans to formally launch INYS-Indonesia at the Erasmus Huis in Jakarta on 4 April 2015!
In 2015 INYS-Nederland will be led by Timothy van de Wal, an active and bright student from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. Timothy is pursuing his Master in Health Sciences with a major in Policy and Organization of Health Care. In Jakarta, Jaya Setiawan Gulo will act as chairman of INYS-Indonesia. Gulo is serving as a Customs Officer in the Ministry of Finance and is currently a study-assigned employee in Sekolah Tinggi Akuntansi Negara (STAN). Both Timothy and Gulo have a keen interest in international affairs. Their plans for the future are to place the specific knowledge acquired on Indonesia and the Netherlands in the broader conceptual context of international relations. I trust they’ll act well as the chairman of the INYS in the Netherlands and Indonesia because they are able to detect fundamental trends amid a host of varying developments and opinions.
For me personally it has been a privilege to work with a team that consists of highly motivated and enthusiastic students and young professionals who all do this on a voluntary basis next to their college education or work. Therefore I would like to thank: Egide, Lucas, Gerard, Timothy, Sabina, Joy, Dewi, Dewie, Ebed, Roy, Ruben, Adhitya, Daniel, Sharah, Tiurlan and Bernice for their commitment and hard work for the INYS in 2014. Simultaneously I would like to welcome Dimple, Nathan, Ferdian, Yusuf, Gulo, Arby, Athiyyah, David-Anthony, Sofia, Fachry and Octavia to the INYS family. I am looking forward to work together in 2015 with all of you in order to continue our goal of creating a bright future for Indonesia and the Netherlands.
After this exciting year I am more than positive that 2015 will be a success as well! I am looking forward to seeing you all again in the future at our events in Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Best wishes,
Rennie Roos
Founder & Chair Board of Trustees INYS-NL & INYS-IND