Youths discuss peace for Aceh<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
At least 70 young people coming from across Aceh province
\ngathered in Banda Aceh on Wednesday to seek a common
\nunderstanding on government policy and a peaceful solution to the
\nconflict in Aceh.<\/p>\n
"We hope that the dialog will yield new ideas and be a
\nreference that can be developed to promote regional development
\npolicies," head of Aceh youth and sports affairs office Teuku
\nPribadi was quoted by Antara as saying in Banda Aceh on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
Organized by the Aceh youth and sports affairs office, the
\none-day dialog was opened by Aceh Deputy Governor Azwar Abubakar.<\/p>\n
At least 50 of the 70 participants were representatives of
\nyouth, student, and brotherhood organizations in the provincial
\ncapital, while the rest were delegates from districts and
\nmunicipalities of the troubled province, where the Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) has been fighting for independence since 1976.<\/p>\n
The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, most of them
\ninnocent civilians.<\/p>\n
Pribadi said the young people would evaluate political
\nsolutions to the Aceh conflict, the implementation of Islamic
\nlaw, the empowerment of the people's economy and the acceleration
\nof development in isolated areas.<\/p>\n
"The recommendations of the dialog are also expected to be
\npresented to a national youth dialog to be held next month,"
\nPribadi said.<\/p>\n
He noted that the all-Aceh youth dialog forms part of efforts
\nto develop the role of the youth as active participants in
\nregional development, as well as to assess the problems and to
\nformulate proposed solutions to the challenges of globalization.<\/p>\n
"We also expect the dialog to formulate programs, strategies
\nand targets for efforts to overcome future challenges," he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Azwar said on Wednesday that for a government-GAM
\ndialog to succeed, the negotiators should show mutual amity.<\/p>\n
"They should be amicable in their thinking, in their manner of
\ntalking and in their attitude," Azwar was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
"I think if all elements of Aceh society adopt a positive
\nattitude, all disputes and personal conflict can be settled," he
\nstressed.<\/p>\n
Azwar said the armed conflict in Aceh was due to the fact that
\nthe people lacked amity, with most people tending to follow their
\nemotions.<\/p>\n
This is clear from the fact that many Acehnese make
\nprovocative statements.<\/p>\n
"Sometimes, our thinking is illogical. That's why, a peaceful
\nsolution to the conflict has eluded us," Azwar said.<\/p>\n
The responsibility for speeding up the settlement of the armed
\nconflict in Aceh actually lies with the Acehnese people
\nthemselves, while the central government can only be expected to
\nmanage the situation through national policies which required the
\nsupport from all elements in Aceh society, he said.<\/p>\n
"During the armed conflict in Aceh, the number of orphaned
\nchildren was recorded at 7,000 and their future should also be
\ntaken into consideration, that is, if we don't want them to join
\nthe separatist group in the future," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/youths-discuss-peace-for-aceh-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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