Ibas Urges Young Generation to Develop Achievements and Creativity for Creative Economy
The Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI and Chairman of the Democratic Party Faction in the DPR RI, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas), has urged Indonesia’s younger generation not to stop at personal achievements, but to utilise their achievements, creativity, and existing platforms as a force to benefit society and advance Indonesia.
This message was delivered by Ibas during a national audience with the youth themed ‘Young Generation Preserving Diversity, Developing the Creative Economy, and Advancing Indonesian Tourism’ at the MPR RI National House, Jakarta, on Thursday (24/9). The audience brought together Ibas with young leaders from various regions, including the Mojang Jajaka of West Java, Kang Nong of Banten, Abang None of Jakarta, as well as various youth and sports ambassadors.
Ibas assessed that the younger generation holds a strategic position in facing rapid global changes, ranging from the development of artificial intelligence and digital transformation to climate change, global economic dynamics, and the shifting landscape of the workforce. “We must not be mere spectators. You must be makers, not just consumers. You can be creators, not just followers, but also leaders to lead the way,” Ibas stated in his remarks on Monday (28/9/2026).
According to Ibas, Indonesia possesses significant capital in the form of its youth and cultural diversity, which can serve as a foundation for building a new economy. Therefore, this potential must be converted into works, innovations, employment, and added value for the community. “Diversity is an identity, creativity is a strength, and tourism is Indonesia’s window to the world,” said Ibas.
Achievements Should Not End with Crowns and Sashes
Ibas specifically encouraged participants such as the Mojang Jajaka, Kang Nong, and Abang None to view their titles and achievements not as final destinations. He noted that crowns, sashes, and championship titles can serve as platforms to introduce culture, develop MSMEs, promote tourist destinations, and strengthen Indonesia’s creative economy.
“Do not let it stop at the matter of crowns. Try to continue how the championship titles and sashes you hold today can become platforms to advance Indonesia, culture, MSMEs, tourism, and the creative economy,” he urged.
Ibas then formulated a message to inspire the youth: “From culture to works, from works to economy, and from economy to prosperity.” He encouraged the younger generation to produce works that possess not only cultural value but also economic value capable of creating opportunities for the surrounding community.
One Young Person, A Thousand Works
During the event, the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party also proposed several ideas for youth communities to develop. One such initiative is the ‘One Young Person, 1,000 Works’ movement. Ibas believes that young people do not need to wait for vast resources to begin creating. Digital technology can be utilised to produce content, products, innovations, and various works that provide benefits.
“One young person, a thousand works. Do not just create for one person, but create something that can benefit a thousand people or more,” said Ibas.
Another idea is ‘One Region, 1,000 Featured Stories’, which aims to elevate stories regarding culture, history, culinary arts, and local destinations as part of Indonesia’s global promotion. Ibas also encouraged the formation of ‘One Ecosystem, 1,000 Benefits’, bringing together youth, government, parliament, the business world, communities, and various stakeholders.
“If you have friends and relatives in government, parliament, the business world, or communities, let us collaborate. This is how we realise great goals together,” he said.
Collaboration Across Differences
Ibas emphasised that diversity should not merely be understood as a variety of identities, but must serve as a strength for building collaboration. He reminded the youth that differences in ethnicity, culture, language, regional origin, or views should not be reasons for hostility.
“We may differ in ethnicity, political choice, thoughts, and ideas. But we must not become enemies. This country can never become great if we lead partially, or even individually,” he stated. Ibas noted that democracy requires space for differing opinions alongside the ability to cooperate once decisions are made, quoting the principle: ‘If you want to be fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together’.
The Younger Generation Facing the AI Era
A graduate of Curtin University, Australia, Ibas also reminded the youth that they live in a technological environment different from previous generations. The presence of artificial intelligence (AI), social media, algorithms, and the rapid flow of information presents both opportunities and challenges.
Ibas noted that the younger generation needs to possess literacy, critical thinking, character, and ethics to utilise technology productively. “Let us strengthen our knowledge, let us strengthen our character, let us strengthen our ethics,” he asserted.
Ibas assessed that education must be adaptive to technological developments while remaining rooted in Indonesian values. This message aligns with Ibas’s previous focus in various forums regarding the development of AI, the creative economy, and the role of youth in facing digital transformation.