Asian students primed for leadership<\/p>\n
By Lena Rosenthal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Not much time has passed since we witnessed the
\nimpact of student demonstrators on national political
\ndevelopments. Without their vigilant efforts to voice the
\npeople's aspirations, many of the rapid changes that occurred
\nlast May would not have been possible.<\/p>\n
Now more than ever Asia needs the help of its students in
\ntimes of rapid political and economical developments. The young
\ngeneration has to contribute its part in shaping the future of
\nAsia.<\/p>\n
Acknowledgments are therefore due an Asian business company
\nwhich encourages students to express their ideas on how to shape
\nfuture developments.<\/p>\n
The third Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative, a five-day
\nconference on future developments in Asia, starting May 31 in
\nKuala Lumpur, will host 24 students representing Indonesia,
\nMalaysia, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines.<\/p>\n
During the conference, held under the auspices of the
\nMalaysian Ministry of Education, the \"potential leaders\" will
\ndiscuss Asian social and economical developments outlining the
\ntheme \"Leading dynamic Asia into the new global age\".<\/p>\n
It is the initiative's stated objective to \"contribute to the
\ndevelopment of the next generation of leaders, university
\nstudents who are potential key players in the future of their
\ncountries, through participant interaction and exchange of views
\non current regional and world issues regarding this region\".<\/p>\n
As markets grow together and borders do not protect any
\ncountry from regional economic developments, it has become
\nobvious that international cooperation is the only way to lead
\nAsia to a stable position in this new global age.<\/p>\n
Considering that problems regarding social welfare, education
\nand economic development -- all forum topics to be discussed by
\nthe students in Kuala Lumpur -- are rather significant to the
\nAsian crisis, they must be evaluated with the mutual assistance
\nof international partners.<\/p>\n
Indonesian representatives chosen to take part in the
\ndiscussions are Sohra, 22, from Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity, Ria Nuri Dharmawan, 21, of the University of
\nIndonesia, Agung Wicaksono, 22, from Bandung Technology
\nInstitute, and Aryanti Rianom, 22, the University of Indonesia,
\nall students at state universities, who are actively involved in
\nextracurricular activities, community and student life.<\/p>\n
Also present will be Dr. Karlina Leksono, well-known activist
\nof the Indonesian women's movement.<\/p>\n
\"It's important for the young generation to have room for
\ndialog where they get the chance to promote critical thinking
\nabout the situation in Asia,\" she explained. \"Asia has to listen
\nto the voice of the students because the future belongs to the
\nyoung generation.\"<\/p>\n
Karlina is planning to speak on pluralism as she believes that
\nthis is the most important issue in Indonesia. \"By appreciating
\nthe differences among us and learning to hold a critical dialog,
\nwe will be able to prevent violence as a way to solve our
\nproblems. This is especially important in Indonesia, but can also
\nbe reflected to the multicultural Asia.\"<\/p>\n
Ria told why she wanted to participate in the conference.<\/p>\n
\"I like making new friends, but it is more important to me to
\nget an insight into other people's perspectives on the
\ndevelopments in Asia.\"<\/p>\n
It also leaves the question whether the conference will be
\nable to influence developments, or whether all the ideas,
\nresolutions and agreements will be meaningless as soon as the
\nstudents leave Kuala Lumpur on June 4.<\/p>\n
\"It's all small steps toward international understanding,\"
\nsaid Ria, a law student at the University of Indonesia and also a
\nmember of the ASEAN Law Students Association. \"It's hard to say
\nwhether this conference will have an impact on the future
\nprogression of Asia, but we will surely all get a better
\nunderstanding of what's going on in each other's countries.\"<\/p>\n
Karlina added: \"I strongly believe in the young generation of
\nAsia, and especially Indonesia. I am sure that the young people
\nwill understand the importance of critical dialog when they come
\nback. However, what we need are two levels of action --
\ndiscussion, like the Hitachi conference, is only one.<\/p>\n
\"People should not stop at the discourse level, but apply
\nwords to the praxis by showing solidarity and giving pressure to
\nthe government.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asian-students-primed-for-leadership-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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