Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. President Obama's Return to Indonesia Highlights Policy of Engagement Brian Padden | Jakarta 03 November 2010 A portrait of U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle is seen hanging on the wall as students build a structure from straws during a class at an elementary school he once attended in Jakarta (file photo) Photo: AP A portrait of U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle is seen hanging on the wall as students build a structure from straws during a class at an elementary school he once attended in Jakarta, Indonesia (Feb 2010 file photo) While President Barack Obama faces voter dissatisfaction at home, he is sure to receive a warm welcome when he visits Indonesia this month (November 9-10). The president's personal connection to Indonesia has opened the door to improving economic and political ties between two of the largest democracies in the world. American Peace Corps Volunteer Travis Bluemling teaches English in a farming village more than 800 kilometers from the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. He says even in this remote area, President Obama's popularity makes it easier for him to be accepted in the community. "One hundred percent. Everyone here knows who President Obama is. I'd say at least 10 times per week I get, 'Obama, you know he went to school in Jakarta.' And I say, 'Yes he went to SD [elementary school] in Jakarta.' So everyone here knows who President Obama is," said Bluemling. Mr. Obama attended elementary school in Indonesia when his mother was married to an Indonesian man. Although he has visited Indonesia since his childhood, this will be his first trip since being elected president in 2008. Two previously scheduled trips were canceled because of events in the U.S. President Obama's past is not the only reason for his popularity in the largest Muslim majority country in the world. Anies Baswedan, the president of Paramadina University says Indonesians appreciate how the president works to lower tensions between the United States and the Islamic world. They give the president credit, he says, for not giving in to domestic political pressures on a range of issues, from ending combat operations in Iraq to defending religious freedom for Muslims in America. "People of Indonesia look at the way he approached Iraq and the way he approached the mosque controversy in New York in a more positive way, very statesman approach. And it is positive," he said. Indonesian leaders also see President Obama as more committed than past U.S. presidents to engage them as an equal partner. Teuku Faizasyah, special assistant to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, says Mr. Obama's visit to Indonesia will reinforce his country's democratic development and growing economic strength. "We can sit at the same height and stand at the same tall [level] because we [are] practicing the similar kind of democracy and we have respect to [for] each other, and this is a maturation of a balance of our relationship," said Teuku Faizasyah. For many years, the U.S. relationship with Indonesia was tense, in large part because of human rights abuses under the late President Suharto. A protest movement ousted the dictator in 1998, and, since then, Indonesia has shifted to a directly elected president and has addressed separatist movements and rights abuses throughout the multi-ethnic nation. Relations with the U.S. have grown close, particularly after a deadly bomb attack in 2002 prompted Washington and Jakarta to work closely to fight terrorism. Citing Indonesia's democratic progress, the U.S. recently announced it was resuming military training to Indonesia's counter-terrorism forces Kopassus. The decision was made despite objections from human rights groups that have accused Kopassus of abuses in Aceh, Papua and East Timor. The U.S. government says that engagement with Indonesia will ultimately improve human rights and strengthen democratic institutions. When the two presidents meet, they will likely focus on mutual security interests like protecting sea lanes in the South China Sea, as well as U.S. investment in one of the world's fastest growing economies. Mr. Obama may also offer support for Indonesia's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent in the next decade. While security will be tight during Mr. Obama's visit and some groups will likely be on hand to protest, Baswedan hopes the president's schedule will allow him time to get out among Indonesians who want to see him. "My sort of humble request, please do take it a little bit easy, in terms of, at least in its appearance. So it appears [President] Obama is a bit relaxed, able to communicate with regular people." he said. He says, ultimately, Indonesians see President Obama's visit as a homecoming for a boy who once went to school in Jakarta, and went on to become president of the United States.  .