How We Treat Children Determines the Nation's Future

Twenty years from now, the children currently sitting in primary school will fill the nation’s vital spaces. They will become teachers, doctors, farmers, scientists, law enforcement officers, auditors, entrepreneurs, and leaders of the republic. They are not merely the next generation; they are the face of Indonesia in 2045. Therefore, the most critical question is not whether Indonesia can become a developed country. The far more fundamental question is whether we are truly preparing the generation that will take Indonesia there. This question finds its relevance in the 42nd National Children’s Day (HAN) commemoration in 2026, which carries the theme ‘Love Children, Protect and Build the Future’. This theme contains three interconnected messages: affection, protection, and investment in the nation’s future. These are not mere slogans, but a development agenda that must be realised concretely. A great nation is not only remembered for its economic progress or the magnificence of its infrastructure. A great nation is one that can ensure every child grows up healthy, safe, valued, and with equal opportunities to develop their potential. Indonesia is looking towards its Golden Indonesia 2045 vision with optimism. Various developments are underway to strengthen national competitiveness, from economic transformation to human resource development. However, there is one investment whose value surpasses all physical development: investment in children. Toll roads can be built in a matter of years. Buildings can be erected in months. Technology can be purchased or learned. But building a human being takes a generation. Children who receive good nutrition today will grow into a healthy generation. Children who receive quality education will become sources of innovation. Children raised in a loving environment will grow with character, empathy, and self-confidence. Conversely, every child who loses their rights represents a loss of national potential. Therefore, loving children is not just a matter of affection. It is a strategic choice in national development. The theme of this year’s National Children’s Day also reminds us that affection without protection is insufficient. Amidst rapid technological advancement, children face increasingly complex challenges. Violence, bullying, exploitation, child marriage, and threats in the digital space remain serious issues requiring attention. Consequently, the 2026 HAN theme also encourages the strengthening of the National Movement for Child-Friendly, Safe, and Comfortable Spaces (Gernas #RANA) as a collaborative effort to create living spaces that are safe, inclusive, and free from violence. Child protection must not be understood merely as a response when violence occurs. Protection must begin much earlier, through warm families, safe schools, inclusive public spaces, good digital literacy, and policies that consistently place the best interests of the child as the primary consideration. From this perspective, the quality of child protection truly reflects the quality of a nation.