Open-mindedness needed

Open-mindedness needed

In a laudable speech delivered during the 49th anniversary of the Indonesian Islamic Student Association (HMI), Mar'ie Mohammad appealed to young Indonesians to open themselves up, not to indulge in exclusivism and not to take an a priori stance towards any thought, view or idea whatever, wherever it comes from. According to the former HMI activist and current Minister of Finance, young Indonesians will thus be able to bring in the gust of fresh air Indonesia needs to face a globalized future.

We agree with Mar'ie that the younger generation needs to be trained and educated early on to develop any kind of farsighted vision. Vision is what we need to confront the multidimensional changes which we will be facing in the years that are to come.

We don't just need this vision in exceptional times, such as the struggle for independence -- the kind of vision our founding fathers displayed. We need the same kind of vision now, too, when our nation is being confronted by the fundamental changes of this new era. Both eras usher in change although of a very different character in terms of substance and nature.

In anticipating that coming era, our readiness to open ourselves up to new views and thoughts without abandoning a critical stance is of the greatest importance. We also need some kind of "moral ecology" in order to live within the bounds of morality.

On the other hand, this attitude of openness towards new ideas is bound to collide with old established conceptions. The problem is to make sure that such a collision leaves no serious wounds. So we need to remember that change is natural. As the saying goes, nothing is permanent except change itself.

-- Republika, Jakarta