Hana Loka Kusuma Prameswari, a student in the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM), was one of Indonesia’s delegates to the Asia Pacific Leaders Summit (APLS) 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 24 to 26, 2026. Hana introduced the Indonesian Tari Merak through a cultural exchange program and won third place in the Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Speak-Up Forum.
Hana, born in 2003 and from Wonogiri, was one of 25 young leaders from 11 countries who took part in an international leadership program organized by the Asia Pacific Leaders Initiative under Studec International.
APLS 2026 brought together delegates from Indonesia, Tajikistan, Senegal, Malaysia, Cambodia, Japan, Timor-Leste, Brunei Darussalam, Pakistan, Thailand, and Nigeria. Over three days, delegates participated in leadership conferences, discussions, group collaborations, youth forums, cultural exchanges, and cross-country networking.
Showcasing Tari Merak on the International Stage
At the opening of APLS 2026, Hana introduced Indonesian culture by performing the Indonesian Tari Merak as part of the cultural exchange program. In addition to dancing, Hana also shared the background of the Indonesian Tari Merak with delegates from various countries.
The Indonesian Tari Merak was inspired by the Sundanese Tari Merak, invented by Raden Tjetje Somantri, and the Surakarta Tari Merak, created by S. Maridi. The performance was one of Hana’s efforts to introduce Indonesian performing arts on the international stage while showing how culture can foster communication and relationships across generations and countries.
For Hana, with a background in performing arts, the opportunity was an important part of her academic and cultural experience.
“I want to bring Indonesian arts and culture to a broader audience. For me, culture is not merely something to be performed, but can also serve as a medium for learning, collaboration, and building relationships with others,” Hana said on Wednesday (Oct. 7).
Winning Third Place in the Young Leaders Speak-Up Forum
In addition to participating in the cultural exchange, Hana Loka also took part in the Young Leaders Speak-Up Forum, one of the APLS 2026 programs that provided delegates with a platform to present their ideas, perspectives, and leadership potential through short individual speeches.
At the forum, delegates were encouraged to present ideas or initiatives related to leadership, innovation, sustainability, and positive impact.
Hana presented local arts and culture as a medium for learning, collaboration, and youth empowerment. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Through this idea, Hana highlighted how local arts and culture can support education and community development while giving young people a space to learn about their cultural identity, develop creativity, and take an active role in their communities.
In the competition, Hana won third place in the Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Speak-Up Forum. The Nigerian delegate took first place, while the delegate from Cambodia took second.
The achievement gave Hana valuable experience in bringing Indonesian perspectives on arts and culture to an international youth forum.
Connecting Arts, Education, and Leadership
Hana’s participation in APLS 2026 was also part of her academic journey as a student of Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies at UGM. Arts education has considerable potential to contribute to youth and development issues.
Art extends beyond performance practices and can build knowledge, collaboration skills, self-confidence, and awareness of cultural identity.
“Young people need spaces to understand themselves, their surroundings, and the values that guide them. Arts and culture can provide one such space. When young people understand their culture, they are not merely recipients of cultural heritage, but can also become those who develop and carry that culture into the future,” Hana said.
This idea matters more to young people living amid rapid technological development and an accelerating flow of information. Understanding culture can give young people a foundation for recognizing their identity and deciding how they can contribute to society.
Building Cross-Country Networks
In addition to participating in the Young Leaders Speak-Up Forum, Hana and the other delegates took part in various leadership and collaborative activities throughout APLS 2026. The first day began with a Flag Parade featuring the flags of the 11 participating countries, followed by Opening Remarks and a leadership session titled “Ignite Your Inner Drive.”
On the second day, activities were held at the School of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), including a Group Project and the Young Leaders Speak-Up Forum. The delegates also attended the Inauguration of the Asia Pacific Youth Leaders Ambassador 2026 and a Dinner and Networking Session at Envi Skydining.
The APLS 2026 program concluded with a cultural excursion to several destinations in Malaysia, including Batu Caves, Harriston Boutique, and the Petronas Twin Towers.
For Hana, the experience provided an exchange of perspectives with young people from diverse cultural and national backgrounds. Her participation in APLS 2026 also strengthened her belief that young people have an important role in preserving culture while developing new ways to introduce it to broader audiences.
Through the experience, Hana hopes Indonesian arts and culture will increasingly be present in international settings, not only as performance but also as media for education, collaboration, and social contribution.
Author: Zabrina Kumara
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photos: Hana Loka Kusuma Prameswari Documentation