An academic and member of the Centre for National Perspectives\nEducation (PPWK) for Jakarta Province, Dr Rasminto, has emphasised that\nyoung people and students are the nation\u2019s primary hope in facing\nincreasingly complex global challenges.<\/p>\n
Rasminto made this statement during a \u201cPesantren Kilat\u201d (accelerated\nIslamic boarding school) programme on national character at SMAN 78\nJakarta, which was attended by more than a thousand students from years\n10, 11 and 12 on Friday (13 March 2026). In his presentation titled\n\u201cStudents and the Nation\u2019s Hope\u201d, he stressed that young people have a\nstrategic role as agents of change and as reserves for national\nleadership in the future.<\/p>\n
According to him, the current global situation is facing various\ncrises, ranging from energy, food and economic crises to international\npolitical tensions that could potentially impact national\nsovereignty.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an unstable world situation like now, students must realise that\nthey are not just participants in education, but also agents of change,\nsocial control, and reserves or backups for national leadership,\u201d said\nRasminto.<\/p>\n
He added that Indonesian students are required not only to excel\nacademically, but also to possess integrity, national perspective and\nsensitivity to the problems of society and the nation.<\/p>\n
Rasminto warned that in the current era of digital disruption, young\npeople are also facing serious challenges in the form of information\noverload, misinformation and post-truth politics that can influence the\nway people think.<\/p>\n
\u201cSocial media often makes emotions more dominant than facts.\nTherefore, students must have strong information literacy so they are\nnot easily influenced by hoaxes and propaganda,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Beyond digital challenges, he also highlighted social problems faced\nby young people in urban areas, such as the rising cases of student\nviolence, weak spaces for youth participation and the threat of digital\nradicalisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cCases of student violence in urban areas, especially in Jakarta, are\nquite high, and this also affects the weak participation of young people\nin positive activities, so it is necessary to build strong national\nvalues through various methods and approaches,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Rasminto, these conditions must be a collective concern\nbecause young people today are determining Indonesia\u2019s future,\nparticularly in the face of the demographic dividend momentum that is\nprojected to last until 2045.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe demographic dividend will be a great opportunity if young people\nare of quality. But it could be a problem if not properly prepared,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he emphasised the importance of developing national\ncharacter from an early age through education, building national\nperspective and strengthening values of unity.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiteracy and numeracy competence must go hand in hand with national\ncharacter. If young people\u2019s identity, solidarity and creativity are\nstrong, then the nation\u2019s future will also be strong,\u201d said\nRasminto.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/literacy-and-national-character-regarded-as-keys-to-generation-z-strength-1773406475", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }