Mejuah-Juah

31^st Citizenship Education

Berastagi (North Sumatera), 23rd-24th March 2012

Mejuah-juah (Hello, greetings of peace to you)! On 23rd to 24th March, 2012, Institut Leimena collaborated with the GBKP (Gereja Batak Karo Protestant/Batak Karo Protestant Church) Synod to  hold the 31st Citizenship Education training at Karo Land.

At Berastagi, there were approximately sixty participants of this event, including the pastors, church district leaders, vicars, and congregations. They came from various neighboring areas and gathered for two days. This event is graced by the attendance of the Synod Chairman of GBKP, Rev. Matius P. Barus and the Head of Personnel and Human Resources, Rev. Rosalie Barus. The Institut Leimena’s team is composed of Matius Ho, Daniel Adipranata, Belda Kosasih and Viona Wijaya.

Approximately fifteen minutes before the commencement of this event, all participants had already gathered at the appointed venue. The series of Civic Education activities for the two days were likewise enthusiastically attended by all participants. At the end of the activities there were an agreement between Insitut Leimena and the Synod GBKP for further collaboration and implementation of the Diskusi Warga (Citizen Discussion) Programme.

For a long time, GBKP had contributed significantly to the betterment of the society such as establishing Credit Union to provide capital for local business ventures; Crisis Center to cater to victims of abuse, Retreat Centre which includes foster care services, services for those with special needs as well as services for the elderly. Hopefully through this Civic Education programme, GBKP can increase its role and reach in the development of the society, particularly in cultivating the society’s civic intelligence.

These are excerpts of the comments of the Civic Education participants:

“This event has been an inspiration and motivation for individuals to be serious, present and deeply involved as a citizen. I have learnt how to voice out my opinions as a citizen so as to improve the current situation” (Yusni Rut Mentina Pandia, Vicar at PAK Gelora Kasih)

“What I hope to do is to increase the awareness of the importance of every citizen in safeguarding the continuation of the nation. Once this awareness is sowed in individuals, my friends and I will act to answer the problems within the society such as: gambling, child abuse, domestic violence, etc.” (Rev. Edn P. Tarigan, GBPK Pasir Tengah, Lau Baleng district)

“I wish to engage immediately in the citizen discussions and raise existing problems such as gambling practices” (Rev. Julianus Barus, GBKP Runggun Seribu Jandi)

Witnessing the enthusiasm  of the participants in building a citizen community at Karo Land moved our hearts and convince us that in the near future, we would see the improvements in various areas motivated by the citizens thereof!