16 October 2025
Anita Kartika Pasaribu
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FIB USU PR - On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the Master of History Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, USU, held a Public Lecture with Assoc. Prof. Nikita Kuklin (Expert of ASEAN Centre at MGIMO University, Moscow) on the theme: "Indonesian Modern Political History." This guest lecture was held online via the ZOOM Meeting platform. It was held over three days, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, October 16, 17, and 18, 2025.
The guest lecture featured Prof. Nikita Kuklin (Expert of ASEAN Centre at MGIMO University, Moscow) as the speaker. Moderator was Jaenal Abidin, MA, Ph.D. This public lecture focused on the dynamics of modern Indonesian political history through three interrelated main themes.
The purpose of this public lecture was to encourage students to understand the journey of modern Indonesian political history through three main topics. Through material on Indonesian activists and the anti-imperialist movement, students are invited to observe how nationalism grew amidst the struggle against colonialism. Discussions on the evolution of political thought help students recognize the changing mindsets of national figures from the colonial period to post-independence. Meanwhile, the theme of the Non-Aligned Movement demonstrates how Indonesia played an active role internationally, embracing the principle of a free and independent foreign policy. Overall, this lecture aims to foster critical understanding and awareness of Indonesia's political journey and its relevance to national life today.
The first, "Indonesian Activists and the League against Imperialism," examines the involvement of Indonesian activists in the international anti-imperialist movement in the early 20th century and how this global network strengthened nationalism. Prof. Nikita Kuklin discusses the emergence of Indonesian activists within the international network of the League against Imperialism in the early 20th century as part of the awakening of political consciousness among colonized nations. The speaker emphasized that the involvement of Indonesian figures in this organization demonstrates that the struggle for independence was not isolated but rather part of a global movement against colonialism. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session, divided into two sessions, each with three questioners, who were then answered by the speaker.
The second session, "Indonesian Political Thinking: Evolution of Political Consciousness," examined the development of Indonesian political thought from the colonial period to post-independence, including the formation of national consciousness, the concept of popular sovereignty, and ideas of social liberation. Prof. Nikita Kuklin presented her material, presented in PowerPoint slides, for approximately 45 minutes. This session discussed the development of political consciousness in Indonesia from the early days of national awakening to the modern period. The early phase was marked by the early nationalist movement (1900s–1930s), which marked a period of cultural and political revival. Figures such as Sukarno, Hatta, Sutan Sjahrir, and Ki Hadjar Dewantara played important roles in introducing the ideas of nationhood, independence, and solidarity. On the other hand, the socialist and communist movements (1920–1950s) enriched Indonesian political discourse with ideas of social justice and class struggle, while Islamic political movements emphasized moral values and served as a bridge between Islamic principles and modern political organizations.
Third, "The Non-Aligned Movement and Indonesia's Role," highlighted the founding concept of the Non-Aligned Movement and Indonesia's role within it, which affirmed an independent and active foreign policy and Indonesia's contribution to the struggle for peace and independence of developing nations. This presentation illustrates that the Non-Aligned Movement is not merely a neutral political position, but rather a manifestation of Indonesia's identity and diplomatic strategy, grounded in independence, solidarity, and global justice. Following the presentation, the event continued with a question-and-answer session involving
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