60 Years After Belgrade: Passion, Reflection and Challenges from Indonesian Perspective

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has developed into a large movement in terms of the number of members. But after 60 years of its birth and existence, to what extent does this movement have real significance and benefit all its members? This article proposes to review historically the contribution, problems, and prospects of Indonesia’s interaction within the NAM. Three framework arguments will be explored more deeply. First, in the post-Cold War, the NAM has adopted the model called “ceremonial leadership” that is rotated from one country to another. This, however, did not bring much progress towards the ratification of the values and principles of Belgrade that can be formulated and implemented massively. Second, cooperative relationships that involve individual socio-economic mobility run very slowly and are still limited by technical problems. As a result, the transfer of research, science, and technology is not able to contribute to strengthening the economic and industrial structure amongst all members. Indeed, there has been progress despite discussions and interpretations of the changing world constellation followed by the information-sharing policies. From an Indonesian case and perspective, this article provides a critical note of the future of the NAM which is nothing more than an organisation of friendship.