West Java targets Youth Development Index of 90 by 2029

The West Java Provincial Government is targeting an increase in the province’s Youth Development Index (IPP) from its current level of 62.96 to 90 by 2029.

Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman said that to reach that level, years of schooling and educational attainment; health, nutrition and decent living conditions; employment opportunities and economic participation; political engagement; and equality of roles and fair access for young people all need to be improved, as part of the effort to realise a ‘Special West Java’ (Jabar Istimewa).

“Improving the quality of young people must be taken seriously, especially in the aspects of education and welfare,” Herman said in Bandung on Friday.

According to him, achieving the target requires collaboration between the government and youth organisations, including the West Java branch of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI), which recently held its regional conference (Musda).

Herman expressed hope that the forum could serve as a space to formulate strategic steps while strengthening the role of young people in accelerating the realisation of a Special West Java.

He reminded that the spirit and activities of youth should not only be visible from an organisational perspective, but should also be reflected in the quality of young people’s lives.

Herman added that the government cannot work alone in improving youth development. The role of the community and youth organisations is an important part of realising the development target.

“A government without the community, a government without young people, is nothing,” Herman said.

At KNPI West Java, Herman encouraged the organisation to dare to step out of its comfort zone and build itself in a competitive atmosphere. He expressed hope that the new leadership would be able to take on a strategic role in improving the quality of West Java’s young people.

“The next KNPI leadership must dare to take risks,” he said.