Lemhannas Governor Urges Young People to Develop Geopolitical Awareness
Lemhannas RI Governor Ace Hasan Syadzily has stressed that geopolitical awareness is an important competence for young people. He described it as the ability to read and respond to global power dynamics critically and strategically.
In his view, this ability should no longer be regarded as the concern of a select few, as global affairs now have a direct impact on everyday life.
He made the remarks while delivering a public lecture entitled ‘Building Geopolitical Awareness Among Young People: Understanding the World, Defining Our Position, Making a Contribution’ at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) on Wednesday (7 October).
As examples, Ace cited disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which increased logistics costs by 200 per cent, and the 2025 Grasberg mine landslide, which reduced global mining supplies. He said the cases demonstrated the connection between global events and conditions at home.
Ace said a basic expression of geopolitical awareness was a critical approach to information. He urged students not merely to read, but also to investigate who produced the information and what interests they might have.
This can be done by asking five questions: what happened, why did it happen, who has an interest, what are the consequences for the nation, and what can be done? This way of thinking is intended to help young people become actors rather than merely targets of information and propaganda.
Ace also outlined five capabilities young people should develop on the path to 2045: strategic awareness, critical thinking, awareness of national interests, global competence and digital literacy.
He stressed that geopolitical awareness should go beyond knowledge and become an asset for national resilience. This is not solely a task for students, but a shared agenda for the government, universities, young people, the technology ecosystem, society and youth organisations.
He said he hoped ITB would produce productive and innovative young people who could become adaptable and competitive leaders. In his view, geopolitical awareness would determine Indonesia’s strategic role.
Ace also noted that Indonesia had 66 million people aged 15–29, according to 2025 data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS). If they are not adequately prepared, this group could face skills gaps and polarisation, and become vulnerable to misinformation and dependence on technology. Technology, he said, is already a source of power.
“Once again, technology is power. Indonesia needs to create, develop, master and secure technology,” Ace said in a written statement on Thursday (8 October 2026).
He said geopolitics was not simply about understanding world events, but about how global changes directly affect Indonesia. He therefore urged young people to play an active role so that geopolitical awareness could support adaptation and make a tangible contribution to national resilience.
“Golden Indonesia 2045 is not only about the Indonesia in which we will live, but also the Indonesia we are shaping today,” Ace said.
Those accompanying the Lemhannas RI Governor included Acting Deputy for Strategic Studies Ipung Purwadi; Natural Resources Professional Expert Dadan Umar Daihani; Science and Technology Professional Expert Andi Heru Wahyudi; Lemhannas RI Inspector Udin Zainudin; and a number of Lemhannas structural and functional officials.
ITB representatives attending the event included Rector Prof. Dr Ir Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T.; Vice-Rector for Communications, Partnerships, Alumni and Administration (WRKMAA) Dr Andryanto Rikrik Kusmara, S.Sn., M.Sn.; and other ITB officials.