Asian students primed for leadership

Asian students primed for leadership

By Lena Rosenthal

JAKARTA (JP): Not much time has passed since we witnessed the
impact of student demonstrators on national political
developments. Without their vigilant efforts to voice the
people's aspirations, many of the rapid changes that occurred
last May would not have been possible.

Now more than ever Asia needs the help of its students in
times of rapid political and economical developments. The young
generation has to contribute its part in shaping the future of
Asia.

Acknowledgments are therefore due an Asian business company
which encourages students to express their ideas on how to shape
future developments.

The third Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative, a five-day
conference on future developments in Asia, starting May 31 in
Kuala Lumpur, will host 24 students representing Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines.

During the conference, held under the auspices of the
Malaysian Ministry of Education, the "potential leaders" will
discuss Asian social and economical developments outlining the
theme "Leading dynamic Asia into the new global age".

It is the initiative's stated objective to "contribute to the
development of the next generation of leaders, university
students who are potential key players in the future of their
countries, through participant interaction and exchange of views
on current regional and world issues regarding this region".

As markets grow together and borders do not protect any
country from regional economic developments, it has become
obvious that international cooperation is the only way to lead
Asia to a stable position in this new global age.

Considering that problems regarding social welfare, education
and economic development -- all forum topics to be discussed by
the students in Kuala Lumpur -- are rather significant to the
Asian crisis, they must be evaluated with the mutual assistance
of international partners.

Indonesian representatives chosen to take part in the
discussions are Sohra, 22, from Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada
University, Ria Nuri Dharmawan, 21, of the University of
Indonesia, Agung Wicaksono, 22, from Bandung Technology
Institute, and Aryanti Rianom, 22, the University of Indonesia,
all students at state universities, who are actively involved in
extracurricular activities, community and student life.

Also present will be Dr. Karlina Leksono, well-known activist
of the Indonesian women's movement.

"It's important for the young generation to have room for
dialog where they get the chance to promote critical thinking
about the situation in Asia," she explained. "Asia has to listen
to the voice of the students because the future belongs to the
young generation."

Karlina is planning to speak on pluralism as she believes that
this is the most important issue in Indonesia. "By appreciating
the differences among us and learning to hold a critical dialog,
we will be able to prevent violence as a way to solve our
problems. This is especially important in Indonesia, but can also
be reflected to the multicultural Asia."

Ria told why she wanted to participate in the conference.

"I like making new friends, but it is more important to me to
get an insight into other people's perspectives on the
developments in Asia."

It also leaves the question whether the conference will be
able to influence developments, or whether all the ideas,
resolutions and agreements will be meaningless as soon as the
students leave Kuala Lumpur on June 4.

"It's all small steps toward international understanding,"
said Ria, a law student at the University of Indonesia and also a
member of the ASEAN Law Students Association. "It's hard to say
whether this conference will have an impact on the future
progression of Asia, but we will surely all get a better
understanding of what's going on in each other's countries."

Karlina added: "I strongly believe in the young generation of
Asia, and especially Indonesia. I am sure that the young people
will understand the importance of critical dialog when they come
back. However, what we need are two levels of action --
discussion, like the Hitachi conference, is only one.

"People should not stop at the discourse level, but apply
words to the praxis by showing solidarity and giving pressure to
the government."