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24th Citizenship Education
Ambon (Maluku), 6-7th January 2012
Although the city of Ambon was again plagued by riots in September 2011, local religious leaders swiftly helped to restore security. Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Maluku and Maluku Protestant Church Synod (GPM) urged the people to live in peace. During GPM’s 76th anniversary last year, Rev. John Ruhulesin, Chairman of the Synod, urged all GPM members to keep building their love for humanity and peace. In fact, every manse (the home resided by the minister of the church) is prepared to accommodate participants of the Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) (Al Quran Reading Competition) National Level XXIV in June 2012.
The role of the church in building a pluralistic society is very important. It is with the aim of increasing the capacity of the citizens that Citizenship Education was held in Ambon on 6-7 January, with the cooperation of GPM Synod and Institut Leimena. With no end of bad news in mass media, citizens are often discouraged in reaching for a brighter future. Leaders need to provide inspiration to the struggle. The inspiration can be found in the identity and vision of Indonesia which our founding father wrote in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution. In fact the 1945 Constitution Amendment of 1999-2002 has returned sovereignty to the people in deciding the future of the nation. These topics were discussed with more than 90 leaders and church activists present, who came from the city of Ambon to West Southeast Maluku regency. This event, as stated by Rev. Jenny Latupeirissa of Ambon Island GP, “evoked a sense of optimism in answering the call to be a good citizen of the country as well as the Kingdom of God”, so that we “no longer think pessimistically when looking at issues faced by the nation.”
In his opening speech, Chairman of the GPM Snyod Rev. John Ruhulesin reminded the participants that real problems in the field also need attention. Citizens need to train themselves to face these problems together. Thus, this program also trains facilitators of Citizenship Discussion so that citizens are able to continue this citizenship empowerment in their respective communities. Chairman of Klasis GPM Tanimbar Utara (Southeast Maluku Regency) Rev. Ricardo Rikumahu, said, “After this training, I wanted to build networks with local communities to create a room for discussion on topics concerning Indonesia from a local perspective.” Meanwhile, the Head of GPM Ecumenical Relations, Rev. Lastri Likumahwa, wanted “to provide guidance to the congregation to keep fostering a strong sense of nationhood through small matters in one’s community for the sake of a larger goal by His power.”
Building a nation has to be done together. The program closed with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Synod of the Protestant Church of Maluku and Institut Leimena in the GPM Synod office in Ambon city. Let us awaken hope and build this nation!