Page 104 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

We define our democracy as Pancasila democracy.Pancasila is the philosophical foundation of
the Indonesia. As the blueprint of the Indonesian nation, Pancasila consists of five principles:
the belief in one God, justice and civilized humanity, Indonesian unity, democracy, and
social justice for all the peoples of Indonesia.Pancasila is the sole, basic principle of Indonesian
life as society, nation, and state.

Indonesian history recorded that the youth played important role in Indonesia’s movement,
back since 1928, when Indonesian youth from various ethnics, beliefs and socio-economic
backgrounds gathered in a conference to pledge Indonesia as their homeland, nation and
language of unity.

In 1945, the youth took part in fighting for Indonesia’s independence. In fact they were of the
key player of the Indonesia’s Declaration of Independence. Their role is significant in changing
the political landscape of Indonesia, including those in 1966 and 1998 transitions.

Today, being technopiles, innovative and critical group toward national policy, the young
generations are the backbone of our country. They are the creative group, the agent of change,
and they are our future. They are the positive force for development when they are equipped
with knowledge as well as opportunities.

Indonesian youth utilize social media as a flexible instrument to address various social and
political issues, which allows them to communicate anything. They use social media to criticize
public policies, highlight social problems, sign online petitions to bring about change, and
also organize protest on the streets. However, youth virtual political activities appears to be
disconnected from its real situation. Virtual activism alone seems to be insufficient to constitute
youth political participation in the democratic arena.

It is such a worrying situation to see that the youth are skeptical about politics globally. As
parliamentarians, we have to show why politics matters and essential to achieve common
good life. We have responsibility to engage more young people to contribute and participate in
democracy.

Indonesia gives strong attention on youth inclusion in politics. The number of youth in
Indonesia currently is 62 millions people, or 25 percent of national population. Youth formed
a significant group as they make up 30% of eligible voters in the last 2014 legislative and
presidential elections.

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 91