The commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the\nRepublic of Indonesia is a momentum to strengthen the spirit of unity in\ndeveloping Papua amid the diversity of society and the complexity of\ndevelopment challenges.<\/p>\n
Universitas Papua (UNIPA) academic Dr Hendrik Arwam said Papua\u2019s\ndevelopment cannot rely solely on infrastructure development and\neconomic growth. The most important foundation that must continue to be\nstrengthened is peace and mutual trust within society.<\/p>\n
\u201cDevelopment requires peace. Without peace, it is difficult for\ncommunities to build a future together. Therefore, the spirit of unity\nmust continue to be nurtured in every Papuan,\u201d Hendrik said in his\nreflection on the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence.<\/p>\n
According to Hendrik, Papua has a highly diverse social character.\nDifferences in ethnicity, language, culture, religion and social\nbackground are assets that should become energy for development, not a\nsource of division.<\/p>\n
He assessed that Papua\u2019s diversity needs to be managed as a social\nstrength. Development will not run optimally if society is still\nburdened by prejudice, distrust or horizontal conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cPapua has extraordinary diversity. These differences should not be\nseen as a weakness. On the contrary, diversity must become social\ncapital to build Papua together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hendrik assessed that mutual trust among members of society is one of\nthe most important assets for Papua to move forward. Trust will\nstrengthen collaboration between communities, government, the education\nsector, business actors, religious leaders, traditional leaders and the\nyounger generation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we trust each other, we can work together. If trust is lost, no\nmatter how good a development programme is, it will be difficult to gain\ncommunity support,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, Papua\u2019s development must be placed within a human\ndevelopment framework. Communities are not merely recipients of policy,\nbut must be part of the process of formulating, implementing and\noverseeing development.<\/p>\n
\u201cDevelopment must create a sense of ownership. Communities need to\nfeel that development is a shared asset, not something that comes from\noutside and whose results they merely receive,\u201d Hendrik said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/81st-independence-day-unipa-academic-says-peace-is-key-to-papuas-progress-1786967542", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }