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23rd Citizenship Education
Ambon, 5th January 2012
“For me, this education is important in nurturing my love for Indonesia and widening my insights of the country.” (Kanes Amanupunnjo, Head of Youth Generation of Maluku Protestant Church, 2nd Tiberias branch)
Indonesian history showed that youth played a very important role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence from early on. In fact, young people can be considered as the motor of change. Because of that, there should be a focus on coaching youth to assure the nation’s progress in the future. In this context, Institut Leimena in cooperation with Indonesian Christian Student Movement (GMKI) Ambon branch and the Maluku Protestant Church Synod (GPM), held the 23rd Citizenship Education in Ambon, Maluku, on Thursday, 5th January 2012. The activities that were carried out in place at GPM’s “Tower of Love” were attended by about 50 youths from GMKI and several other youth organizations from the city of Ambon and surrounding areas.
In this 23rd Citizenship Education, the youths were invited to see the importance of an idea because ideas contain power. Who would have thought that the ideas voiced in the second Youth Congress in 1928 that in turn birthed the Youth Pledge would be realized in 1945? Although the youths at the time were still living in the era of occupation, they dared to have a constructive “dream” or notion of seeing one united Indonesia, even though Indonesia as a country did not exist at that time.
Are the youths of today courageous enough to have a “dream” that is constructive for Indonesia? Are they ready to be guardians of the “Ship” that is owned by and carrying the 245 million people of Indonesia? The sustainability of our homeland is dependent on the extent to which youth and other components of the nation work together in caring for this huge “Ship” as it navigates towards the future. To that end, in this Citizenship Education, the youths were invited to see the importance of the ideals of Indonesia in the opening of the 1945 Constitution as well as the importance of the 1945 Amendments.
What about the benefits for the youth? Some of their responses:
“Our sense of responsibility towards the nation and state has grown, even though we Maluku residents often feel alienated as citizens.” (Nensy M. Souhoka, GMKI)
“Inspires others (in our community) to make changes in simple ways that are effective enough to bring large changes to the nation.” (Azmida L. Kwalomine, GMKI)
“We learn to be good responsible citizens of this country and of God’s kingdom – To be the salt that is not wrapped in plastic, to become a citizen that is growing in faith and concern for others much like the seed that grows and produces fruit.” (Ernie J. Mirpey, GMKI, Ketua Komisariat STIEM Rutu Nusa Ambon)
An invitation to Indonesia youth of today: Let us build the nation of Indonesia together! Let us join hands with all Indonesian citizens united in diversity to take care of our beloved country!