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.