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."