C. Visit to the Museum of Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung, West Java

            On the last day of the consultative meeting, the participants were invited to visit the Museum of Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung, West Java. The intention was to recall the spirit of Afro-Asian solidarity to fight for freedom.

The museum is actually the old building which had been the venue for the Afro-Asian Conference conducted on 18 – 24 April 1955. It is located in the heart of Bandung downtown, the capital city of the West Java province. The participants attentively watch the historical documentations, such as photographs, documentary film, conference venue, diorama, even the original equipments used during the conference (camera, chairs, etc).

The Afro-Asian Conference is a very important event in the history of the Republic of Indonesia, particularly in foreign affairs and international relation. This great initiative was taken by the Republic of Indonesia as a free and young sovereign nation. Nevertheless, the conference which was participated by representatives of countries covering two continents and which brought together the majority of world population has evidently left its impact lasting up to the establishment of the non-aligned movement.

The conference succeeded in formulating the principles of international relation which has become the rules of political conduct and international relation for developing countries in general and the non-aligned in particular. These principles are known as the ‘Ten Principles of Bandung’ (or ‘Dasa Sila Bandung’).

Following the visit to the historical Museum of Afro-Asian Conference, the participants were also invited to enjoy the traditional Sundanese dance at the Afro-Asian Cultural Centre and Cultural Performance which is located at the building next to the Museum.