Implementing Youth Pledge a huge task
Youth Pledge Day, which falls today, commemorates the historic event of 1928 when youths from different ethnic and religious backgrounds gathered in Jakarta and vowed to create a single nation, people and language. Does the event still ring bells and incite hope today? The Jakarta Post talks to Sartono Kartodirdjo about the significance of the event.
Question: Is the youth pledge still relevant today?
Answer: The principle of unity and nationalism stated in the 1925 Political Manifest in the Netherlands, as voiced by the Indonesian Association and subsequently formulated in a more popular way in the 1928 Youth Pledge, is still relevant in the current situation.
The more so as nowadays there are things happening which tend to go against the principles which were formulated by the founders of this republic.
Q: In what way is it still relevant?
A: The principle of unity is still relevant and should be re- emphasized since matters related to unity and integrity give real cause for concern.
For instance, recently there has been a tendency toward conflicts among ethnic groups. The people have begun to understand the concept of democracy and want to experience democratization for themselves. In relation to this, it has become clear that our pluralistic community has inherent differences, which are not conducive to institutionalizing the principles of unity and nationalism overnight in the practice of "live and let live". All of that requires a process.
Q: Where do the difficulties lie?
A: The difficulties lie in turning those principles into real life values. It is up to the authorities now to strike a balance to achieve this. Man has always been obsessed with striking a balance between order and freedom. We oscillate between the two things. Without order we would live in anarchy. So, order is indeed necessary for stability and development. On the other hand, there is man's basic need for freedom. An artist without freedom will not be creative. The same applies to a scientist. Instinctively man has always strived for freedom. The important thing now is how to balance these two elements in our society. This is the task of the politicians and the authorities.
Q: How do you see the emergence in recent years of so many organizations of intellectuals that seem to compete with each other?
A: The existence of organizations of intellectuals which tend to try to eliminate each other has roots in associations based on sectarian groupings. A professional organization should actually be adequate for intellectuals. For me, the Indonesian Historians' Association is sufficient. It is an organization to forge solidarity with my friends of the same profession.
Professionalism does not require an organization which is sectarian in nature.
Indeed the community has an aspect of multi-dimensional existence, so that there is a great possibility for the establishment of a group with numerous dimensions; economic, social, political or cultural. As long as this is not mixed with politics this kind of diversity is nothing extraordinary. So, it would be best for intellectuals to join professional organizations to promote their professional functions.
Q: Is nationalism still an issue today?
A: Nowadays we still need to strengthen the spirit of nationalism. It is true that national unity, solidarity and freedom have materialized but the situation is still far from perfect. Now, a variety of initiatives have come to the surface, all are linked up to a single interpretation of historical process.
Q: Would a second Youth Pledge be necessary?
A: We should not busy ourselves with things like gatherings without taking some tangible actions. The values of unity and nationalism should be inculcated through the institutionalizing of those values. Will a second Youth Pledge work? There is an alternative. But it is a gigantic task. (02)
Dr. Sartono Kartodirdjo is professor of history at the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta.