THE YOUTH PLEDGE

" We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia.
We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation, the nation of Indonesia.
We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, respect the language of unity, Indonesian."

Eighty one years ago, The Youth Pledge (Indonesian: Sumpah Pemuda), was a declaration made on 28 October 1928 by young Indonesian nationalists at a conference in the then-Dutch East Indies. At the time, the archipelago was still a colony of the Netherlands, and Indonesia was a new word. But still the youth pledged to fight for that one dream homeland, and the creation of that one nation called Indonesia.

But the historic Youth Pledge that remains the foundation of the Republic, did not emerge out of the blue during two days of discussions.It had been thought out and discussed long before.

The first Indonesian youth congress was held in Batavia, capital of the then-Dutch East Indies in 1926, but produced no formal decisions but did promote the idea of a united Indonesia. In October 1928, the second Indonesian youth congress was held at three different locations. In the first session, the hope was expressed that the congress would inspire the feeling of unity. The second session saw discussions about educational issues. In the third and final session, held at Jalan Kramat Raya No, 126, on October 28 participants heard the future Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya by Wage Rudolf Supratman. The congress closed with a reading of the youth pledge.

The Youth Pledge became the stepping-stone in the formation of the dream Republic: the Indonesian archipelago that consisted of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited. These are scattered over both sides of the equator. The five largest islands are Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Papua and Sulawesi, inhabited by more than 300 ethnic groups, and variously colonized by the Dutch in the course of three centuries. This was going to become the homeland for all people inhabiting the islands - united as one nation " the Indonesian nation, united in the one State " the Indonesian State, and speaking one common language " Bahasa Indonesia.

It was only 17 years after the 1928 Youth Pledge, at the close of World War II, on 17 August 1945, when Soekarno and Hatta, on behalf of the people of Indonesia, finally proclaimed the Independence of Indonesia. And, based on the Youth Pledge principles and spirit, there emerged the 1945 Constitution, the 5 Principles of State, Pancasila, and the Indonesian national slogan :Bhinneka Tunggal Ika " meaning Unity in Diversity.

Youth is the hope of nation. In every country and nation, Youth is always being the
starting motor of movement. Even in some countries, Political youth movements are playing an increasingly active role, compensating for the lack of a strong opposition in mainstream politics.

The question is: " Do we have the same spirit as they did in 1928? Or are we divided along ethnic and religious fault lines, busy with our own interests at the expense of national unity? Or may be we are to old to be starting motor and the hope of this beloved country?"

Ask yourself! Why we have to debate for small reasons? Just because we are different (views, tribes, political countries, religion, etc).

"O mankind, WE have created you from a male and a female; And WE have made you tribes and sub-tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of ALLAH, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, ALLAH is All-Knowing, All-Aware." Q.S. Al Hujurat (49):13

In the context,
"Being different in gender" is a parallel thought to "being different ethnically" (in tribes and nations) but that this difference in us should lead us to get to know each other, make us interesting to each other, learn from each other and be challenged to compete in doing good, not to dispise and fight each other because he is different. The context quite clearly supports this meaning.

So why should we bother with the difference?

On this special day to commemorate The Youth Pledge. Lets unite for better Indonesian, better world.
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