Norwegian students have fun despite fears
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Eight Norwegian students stood on a simple stage covered in red carpet at the Kanisius College High School in Central Jakarta. The Norwegian red-and-black-cross flag hung on as a backdrop.
With their usual carefree, indifferent teenage style and smiling faces, the students -- aged between 14 and 15 -- took turns to perform their traditional songs and plays as well as introducing Norwegian culture and their way of life.
The students were participants of a cross-cultural interchange program organized by the London-based Children's International Summer Village (CISV), a non-governmental organization promoting cross-cultural education for teenagers aged 11 to 19 years old worldwide.
From Dec. 19, 2002, to Jan. 12, the eight Norwegian students, accompanied by two chaperons, have been living with Indonesian families and getting first hand experience about Indonesian cultures and lifestyles.
While many student exchange programs were canceled following the horrific Oct. 12 Bali bombings, the Norwegian students went ahead with their plans to visit their Indonesian host families.
The terrorist attacks here did not seem to disturb or daunt them. Nor the fact that there were foreign teenagers of their own age among the 195 bomb victims.
Fourteen-year-old Lauritz O.V. Raustel commented casually, "I'm not afraid. I read about it (the bombings) before I came here. It (terrorist attack) can happen anywhere in the world, even in the U.S."
His group-mate, Helene Gran Overli, also 14, confidently quipped, "I don't think, whoever did it, will try to do it here again."
"Besides, if you just staying in the house and be afraid all the time, how are you going to live your life?," Raustel remarked.
It was somewhat surprising to hear such confidence from these teenagers. Adults could actually learn from them about how to overcome their fear of terrorism, which seems to have clouded most people's minds after the bombings, not surprisingly.
Margit Tengen, one of the chaperons, admitted that the CISV Norway Chapter had considered canceling the trip amid rising concerns from the participants' parents, whose approval was, of course, necessary for the visit.
In addition, the Norwegian government still imposed their travel warning to Indonesia.
After a thorough explanation and lengthy discussion between the organizer and the Norwegian government, finally the students and their chaperons were permitted to leave for Indonesia but strongly advised not to visit certain tourist destinations, including Bali.
However, in order to continue the program, CISV Norway sought support from CISV headquarters, and held discussions with the parents.
"The program had been arranged. It would be a pity to cancel it .. so we had meetings to talk about the situation with the parents, and kept close contact with the hosts," she said.
"But in the end, it was up to the parents. We wouldn't send them if the parents didn't want them to go," Tengen added.
Exchange information with the host families and the CISV Indonesia chapter played a big part in ensuring the success of the program.
Adviser and co-founder of CISV Indonesia Mira Wisendha said they had sent detailed information about the latest situation in Indonesia to avoid unwarranted fears.
"We regularly sent reports about our activities here so they could see that their children would be fine," she said.
All the efforts bore fruit in the end as none of the parents canceled their child's trip and CISV headquarters managed to convince the Norwegian government.
"Although they're afraid, I think my parents want me to explore and experience things. Moreover, if it (the bombing) teaches peace and tolerance, that's the aim of this program," Lauritz added.
The host parents' role in explaining the real situation to the children proved to be most helpful.
"I try to give the best information I know about the bombing," said Mira, who hosted Jorgen Hebe, 14.
Tengen added that after spending three weeks in the country, the students all said they had a great time, and many even said they would come on their own some day when they were older.
The commitment from the students and parents as members of CISV is inseparable from the organizations philosophy that no country should be excluded from its programs.
"We also sent our children to conflict-torn Colombia, why would it be any different with Indonesia? In addition, we believe in the principal of learning by doing. Children have to get first-hand experience," Mira said.
Founded by British psychologist Doris Allen 52 years ago, CISV believes that peace can take root by helping youngsters to understand different cultures and become more sensitive about their environment.
CISV programs emphasize cross-cultural education to combat racism, xenophobia, religious and any other forms of prejudice in families, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces around the world.
It now has 62 countries as members and CISV Indonesia, which was established 10 years ago, now has 250 families as members.