British, RI students discuss youth participation

British, RI students discuss youth participation

A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Politics and democracy do not always concern big issues
related to the state; they can also concern the smaller issues
and events that can be found in daily life.

Youth participation in democracy was the main topic of a
series of discussions held from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3 by the British
Council, the Coalition Against Corruption (KAK), the Muhammadiyah
Teen Association (IRM) and the United Kingdom Youth Parliament
(UKYP) in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

In Jakarta, several British student members of UKYP, which was
launched in 1999, shared their experiences on how to participate
in a democracy by joining organizations in their respective
hometowns.

Emma Biermann, a college student and UKYP member, expressed
her happiness to be involved at a wide range of youth
participation levels.

"I have now started to get involved in international projects.
In the summer I went to India for an international summer school,
and Hampshire County Youth Council recently ran an exchange with
Polish young people," Biermann said.

The 19-year-old, who is studying German and sociology, said
her participation in the organization had made her more confident
and nurture a broader frame of mind.

Biermann, who had no interest in politics five years ago,
believed it was one of the most important sectors and could be
used to effect better change.

Lauren Sullivan, a biochemistry student, said she joined the
UKYP because she wanted contribute her ideas on education and
environment.

"In the UKYP, we discuss environment issues such as recycling
and also sustainable development education. My dream is I want to
be part of the team which could save the planet!," 18-year-old
Sullivan said.

Another UKYP member, Alicia Kearns, explained that she joined
the organization because she liked the attributes and principles
it represented, such as belief in justice, drive for change, love
for discussion and fascination with politics.

"I also like activities such as fund-rising, lobbying,
increasing awareness and combating stereotypes," said Kearns, who
is also a student president of Amnesty International.

Meanwhile, Deni, an IRM member, said that Indonesian youths
could learn about how British youths organized themselves and how
they voiced their interests.

"It's a very useful discussion. We become more confident in
joining an organization. We know our rights and how to voice
them," Deni said.

He said Indonesian students could participate and share their
ideas in many areas, from environmental issues to education.

"Many things are related to youth's lives, but we have never
been (actively) involved. Many of us also do not care about
this," he admitted.

The IRM is the youth wing of the country's second largest
Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah.

According to the Central Statistics Agency, the population of
Indonesian youths has now reached 55 million. A survey also said
than many urban youths felt alienated because they were not
involved in activities that contributed to the development of
democracy in the country.