Implementing Youth Pledge a huge task<\/p>\n
Youth Pledge Day, which falls today, commemorates the historic
\nevent of 1928 when youths from different ethnic and religious
\nbackgrounds gathered in Jakarta and vowed to create a single
\nnation, people and language. Does the event still ring bells and
\nincite hope today? The Jakarta Post talks to Sartono Kartodirdjo
\nabout the significance of the event.<\/p>\n
Question: Is the youth pledge still relevant today?<\/p>\n
Answer: The principle of unity and nationalism stated in the
\n1925 Political Manifest in the Netherlands, as voiced by the
\nIndonesian Association and subsequently formulated in a more
\npopular way in the 1928 Youth Pledge, is still relevant in the
\ncurrent situation.<\/p>\n
The more so as nowadays there are things happening which tend
\nto go against the principles which were formulated by the
\nfounders of this republic.<\/p>\n
Q: In what way is it still relevant?<\/p>\n
A: The principle of unity is still relevant and should be re-
\nemphasized since matters related to unity and integrity give real
\ncause for concern.<\/p>\n
For instance, recently there has been a tendency toward
\nconflicts among ethnic groups. The people have begun to
\nunderstand the concept of democracy and want to experience
\ndemocratization for themselves. In relation to this, it has
\nbecome clear that our pluralistic community has inherent
\ndifferences, which are not conducive to institutionalizing the
\nprinciples of unity and nationalism overnight in the practice of
\n\"live and let live\". All of that requires a process.<\/p>\n
Q: Where do the difficulties lie?<\/p>\n
A: The difficulties lie in turning those principles into real
\nlife values. It is up to the authorities now to strike a balance
\nto achieve this. Man has always been obsessed with striking a
\nbalance between order and freedom. We oscillate between the two
\nthings. Without order we would live in anarchy. So, order is
\nindeed necessary for stability and development. On the other
\nhand, there is man's basic need for freedom. An artist without
\nfreedom will not be creative. The same applies to a scientist.
\nInstinctively man has always strived for freedom. The important
\nthing now is how to balance these two elements in our society.
\nThis is the task of the politicians and the authorities.<\/p>\n
Q: How do you see the emergence in recent years of so many
\norganizations of intellectuals that seem to compete with each
\nother?<\/p>\n
A: The existence of organizations of intellectuals which tend
\nto try to eliminate each other has roots in associations based on
\nsectarian groupings. A professional organization should actually
\nbe adequate for intellectuals. For me, the Indonesian Historians'
\nAssociation is sufficient. It is an organization to forge
\nsolidarity with my friends of the same profession.<\/p>\n
Professionalism does not require an organization which is
\nsectarian in nature.<\/p>\n
Indeed the community has an aspect of multi-dimensional
\nexistence, so that there is a great possibility for the
\nestablishment of a group with numerous dimensions; economic,
\nsocial, political or cultural. As long as this is not mixed with
\npolitics this kind of diversity is nothing extraordinary. So, it
\nwould be best for intellectuals to join professional
\norganizations to promote their professional functions.<\/p>\n
Q: Is nationalism still an issue today?<\/p>\n
A: Nowadays we still need to strengthen the spirit of
\nnationalism. It is true that national unity, solidarity and
\nfreedom have materialized but the situation is still far from
\nperfect. Now, a variety of initiatives have come to the surface,
\nall are linked up to a single interpretation of historical
\nprocess.<\/p>\n
Q: Would a second Youth Pledge be necessary?<\/p>\n
A: We should not busy ourselves with things like gatherings
\nwithout taking some tangible actions. The values of unity and
\nnationalism should be inculcated through the institutionalizing
\nof those values. Will a second Youth Pledge work? There is an
\nalternative. But it is a gigantic task. (02)<\/p>\n
Dr. Sartono Kartodirdjo is professor of history at the
\nUniversity of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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