Voice of national conscience<\/p>\n
Here's a suggestion for Ibu Kristiani Herawati as the new
\nFirst Lady: She should spearhead a movement to revive
\nvolunteerism to help the country cope with its multifaceted
\ncrises and live up to her party's motto of \"Together, we can\".<\/p>\n
Thousands of people gathered at Medan Merdeka Square on Oct.
\n10 to initiate a movement to develop the nation's social
\nconscience, promising to expend their energy to ease the many
\nburdens of the country. They were, in effect, delineating a new
\ncause for which national leaders and their spouses could work.<\/p>\n
Notwithstanding the sound development and economic policies
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised, the country
\nneeds to return to its centuries-old tradition of volunteerism in
\norder to fight its host of problems, including poverty.<\/p>\n
The University of Indonesia's School of Economics has
\nestimated that Indonesia's poor reached 29 percent of the
\npopulation in 1999 following the economic crisis, then declined
\nto 19 percent in 2002. But this is still about 40 million people.<\/p>\n
The government alone cannot handle the social problems that
\nhave emerged as a result of this poverty rate, including urban
\nmigration. Hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people need
\nto find their own creative ways to help propel the country toward
\na better future.<\/p>\n
Despite Indonesians being proud of their gotong royong, or
\nmutual help, tradition, there is nothing wrong with learning from
\nthe British, for example, who have charities dedicated to
\nchildren, to cancer research, to animal rights and more. Elderly
\nladies, even teenagers, donate their clothing and shoes, even
\ntheir time, to charity stores and raise funds for their cause,
\nwhich sometimes goes beyond the borders of the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
The thousands of people who came out to declare the \"Movement
\nto build the national conscience\" do not need to find formal,
\nestablished programs. They can simply go home and fish out their
\nold clothing, discarded toys or shoes, wedding outfits that no
\nlonger fit, rarely used saucepans or dishes, and create their own
\ncharity shops.<\/p>\n
They could ask Governor Sutiyoso, for instance, to provide
\nspace and facility for the purpose -- as well as a waiver on
\nutility costs -- and donate whatever they raise to help send poor
\nchildren to school or to eat.<\/p>\n
The First Lady could lead these self-proclaimed volunteers and
\ntruly stand as the voice of the nation's conscience.<\/p>\n
SURTININGSIH W.T.
\nDepok, West Java<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/voice-of-national-conscience-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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