Unexpected But Pleasant: Notes From Khalilla Putri

• Posted by: Admin
• Rabu, 8 Juni 2022
• Has been read 258 time(s)

    I believe it’s not just for me, but at first, I thought 2022 would be the worst year for me. Starting from expectations set too high, efforts that betrayed the results, failure, and inferiority complex. Until then…

“Khalila, you’ll be responsible as Japan’s liaison officer.”

    The words triggered me, left me speechless, but at the same time gave me an incredible excitement feeling. This isn’t something I could have expected, but this opportunity came in exchange for the effort and sweat expended. Naturally, I agreed to the invitation without much consideration.

    This time, I had the opportunity to become a Liaison Officer (LO) in the 7th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) event organized by the United Nations from May 23 to 28, 2022. I was appointed as LO for a ministerial-level delegation team from Japan, to be more precise, H.E. Mr. Ohno Keitaro, who is State Minister for Economic Security and Disaster Management. This experience was the turning point of 2022 that changed my outlook significantly.

    Having to work under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), United Nations, and BNPB was like a dream come true for me. I was really mesmerized to experience firsthand how the bureaucracy of Japan. They work too fast indeed. Long before the event started, I had coordinated with Ms. Kabuto Shoko, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division of the Disaster Management Bureau. I could feel how detailed and swift Ms. Kabuto is in coordinating. She worked ideally like an AI that never rests. Obviously, this made me work at the same pace.

    Far from my speculation from Japanese drama, H.E. Mr. Ohno Keitaro and the other 4 delegates are amicable people. I made mistakes, apologized, and learned from them. As a representative of Indonesia itself, I feel a tremendous burden as the face of Indonesia. Luckily, I was never once reprimanded or scolded by His Excellency. In fact, phrases like “Daijoubu” or “Ayamanakute ii” were what I heard most often.

    They knew I’m just a university student, but I was treated like a professional during the official program. Outside of GPDRR activities, I was treated with great tenderness. One thing that made me feel very blessed was when I had the opportunity to discuss the thesis proposal that I am currently working on. I was given excellent suggestions regarding the thesis and even life advice.

    I will always be grateful for the opportunity and trust MoFA gave me. I could meet friends from different majors and make relations at national and international levels. It’s not every day we can meet delegates from 193 countries and Mr. President Joko Widodo. It was a priceless experience that I’ll never forget. I sincerely thank the MoFA, BNPB, United Nations, and Udayana University, including Sensei gata and friends who have supported and prayed for me. See you in the better future!

Author: Khalilla Putri

Editor Eka Mariani

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