Art, music expected to help end street bawls among students<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Several huge banners carrying messages of peace
\nwhich were made by high school students in Jakarta were seen at
\nthe city's National Museum and the United Nations building in
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The messages, some in Indonesian slang and some in broken
\nEnglish, reflected the genuine feelings of the writers.<\/p>\n
Aku Bosan Tawuran (I am sick of fighting in the streets), Kami
\nCinta Damai (We love peace), Let's Make Love not War, Nyawe kite
\nkan cuman satu, nyo stop berantem (We only live once, let's stop
\nfighting each other).<\/p>\n
These pacifist phrases were jointly written by 500 high school
\nstudents from 15 regular and technical high schools in Greater
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Normally it would be common for these students to pelt each
\nother with stones upon meeting on the city's streets. But in the
\nnewly renovated lobby of the National Museum they happily danced
\nand played music with top musician Harry Roesli and percussionist
\nGilang Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
From April 12 through April 16, these students were involved
\nin the Youths for Peace program, jointly organized by the Jakarta
\noffice of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
\nOrganization (UNESCO), the Ministry of Education and Culture, the
\nNational Museum and non-governmental organization the Sacred
\nBridge Foundation.<\/p>\n
Philippe Delanghe, UNESCO's assistant program specialist for
\nculture, said the program was intended to develop tolerance and
\ncross-cultural understanding among students and youths in the
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
In the five-day meeting at the National Museum, students,
\nteachers and people from related institutions were involved in
\nactive discussions, joint music and art programs in an attempt to
\nbridge differences and to find solutions to many crucial problems
\nfaced by students, including the escalating number of street
\nbrawls and youth crime.<\/p>\n
\"We are very much concerned over the latest development
\nregarding violence among the city's school students,\" Delanghe
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
UNESCO and its local counterparts are trying to address the
\nproblems and to promote nonviolence among youths through cultural
\ninteraction.<\/p>\n
\"I believe music and art can unite people in the world
\nbecause of their universal values. I hope that these art
\nactivities can also unite these students and help them end their
\nlongtime feud,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The participating students were included in several small
\ngroups and were required to work together in several art
\nprojects, which included creating messages and painting them on
\nthe banners and participating in group discussions.<\/p>\n
Some high school students helped technical school students
\nwrite thoughtful verses on a banner. Others were involved in
\nmusic performances led by Harry Roesli and Gilang.<\/p>\n
\"The program is very attractive. We can play music with
\nfamous musicians like kang (brother) Harry. It's a rare chance
\nfor us,\" said Agung, a student at Muhammadiyah high school.<\/p>\n
Some of the girls were quite taken with percussionist Gilang
\nRamadhan.<\/p>\n
\"He is so OK and very kind even though he is famous star.
\nIt's a pity he is going steady with Maudy (movie star Maudy
\nKoesnady),\" commented Anita.<\/p>\n
Harry Roesli and Gilang said they were involved in the program
\nbecause they felt compassion and empathy for the youths.<\/p>\n
\"Basically, all students are nice boys and girls. It is us,
\nadults, who fail to provide them with good role models and
\nexamples,\" said Harry.<\/p>\n
Lack of coherent social and economic development and parental
\nguidance plus the poor education system contribute to boosting
\nyouth violence, particularly in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"People tend to always blame and condemn the kids. They see
\nthese students in black and white, as good or bad,\" commented
\nHarry, a father of teenage male twins Lahami and Layala.<\/p>\n
An inconsistent schooling system is another problem. Harry
\nsaid schools were depressing places for children who felt there
\nwas no escape, adding that violence becomes a form of release.<\/p>\n
\"Children today are not allowed to argue, make mistakes or go
\nthrough necessary development. So we have seemingly normal
\nchildren who are withdrawn, violent or afraid of school,\" said
\nHarry, who is also a lecturer at the Teachers Training Institute,
\nBandung.<\/p>\n
High schools do little more than force-feed facts to students
\nand subject them to countless rules and tests.<\/p>\n
At home, there is little family life to speak of, especially
\nwhen fathers and mothers are at work and children roam the
\nstreets, he added.<\/p>\n
\"The education system is a mess and requires a complete
\noverhaul,\" said Harry. \"If that doesn't happen, there will be
\nmore cases of youth violence,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Gilang pointed out that young people needed somewhere positive
\nto go to after school to stay off the streets.<\/p>\n
\"Well structured activities during out-of-school hours is
\nabsolutely crucial to confronting student brawls,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He suggested that the government build facilities to nurture
\ntalented youths.<\/p>\n
\"Now it is very difficult for students to take part in
\nconstructive programs such as music, art and sports because
\nfacilities are very limited and expensive,\" said Gilang, who
\nspent his childhood in France.<\/p>\n
Good youth programs not only enhance student creativity, but
\noften change students' lives, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Despite the crisis, the government should start focusing on
\nempowering the country's future generation. I know the government
\nstill has plenty of money,\" Gilang said.<\/p>\n
When the essential facilities are available to them, and they
\nhave places to go, there would be no need for them to continue
\nhanging around the city's streets, said Gilang.<\/p>",
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