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BACKGROUND
For several decades a very large number of Indonesians have joined the
flow of immigrants into the United States. Many of these have become
U.S. citizens, while others have chosen to retain their Indonesian
nationality and remain permanent residents. A growing number of their
children and grandchildren have become part of the multicultural
background that has shaped modern American society.
Usually, many of these Indonesian-Americans do not take
part in the activities of Indonesian community oriented organizations
in the United States. There are many reasons for their lack of
interest, among others is their loss of fluency in speaking their
mother tongue, Bahasa Indonesia, which naturally is the main language
spoken among such gatherings. Other influencing factors include their
different way of living and thinking. While the older generations
of
Indonesian-Americans tend to remain focused on the events happening in
Indonesia, the younger generation is more preoccupied with the
developments in the U.S.
While there are numerous community-based organizations
in the U.S. that accommodate the interest and aspirations of
Indonesians living or studying in the U.S., there seems to be no
organization within the Indonesian communities in the U.S. that would
cater to the interest and aspirations of the younger generation of
Indonesian-Americans. Many of the existing Indonesian
organizations are
based on ethnicity and religion, leaving a gap for a group that can be
multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religion. The Society for
Indonesian-Americans hopes to fill this gap, not only for the
Indonesian-American community, but also for any Indonesian interested
in joining a group that does not discriminate based on ethnicity and
religion.
MISSION
Members of SIA shall share the interest to empower the unity of
Indonesian-Americans. SIA will create a viable network among
Indonesian-Americans and both countries U.S., and Indonesia. Members of
SIA
shall encourage all Indonesian-Americans to interact with one another
and
respond collectively as a linkage to Indonesia and U.S. opportunities,
development and awareness.
OBJECTIVES
SIA does not have a political motivation; moreover SIA shall recognize
and address activities of interest for Indonesian-Americans. Being
established in the era of information technology (IT) SIA will rely on
the internet and web as its communication media. Alliances and an
active SIA network will be encouraged.
As a unified body of members SIA shall:
- Create a viable network within the
Indonesian-American community and recognize the accomplishments of
Indonesian-Americans in the U.S.
- Act as a bridge that will enhance U.S.- Indonesia
relationship.
- Identify business opportunities for individuals with
U.S. - Indonesia background.
- Create a multi-ethnic, multi-religion community where
Indonesian-Americans can preserve and share the Indonesian culture.
- Build a sustainable communication media for the
Indonesian-American community.
ESTABLISHMENT
On July 20th 2001 a group of Indonesians and Indonesian-Americans
gathered together with the intention of establishing an
organization that would recognize Indonesian-Americans. After 2
meetings, a unanimous decision was made to accept the challenge of
creating such an organization. This organization shall be called
the
Society for Indonesian-Americans and operate as a registered 501-3c
U.S.
non-profit organization.
MEMBERSHIP
The group membership will not be based on race, religion, nationality,
gender, affiliation or other discriminatory criteria.
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