Puncak, Indonesia—A Youth Leadership Training program was held in Puncak, Bogor in West Java province from May 11 to 14, 2017. The four-day event, whose theme was “The Role of Youth and Students in Building a Culture of Peace,” was developed from UPF-Indonesia’s 2016-2017 National Tour on character education, “Building Harmonious Families—Our Shared Responsibility,” and was organized by UPF in partnership with the Indonesia chapters of the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) and the Youth Federation for World Peace (YFWP).
Of the 77 participants, 45 came from Jakarta and areas surrounding Jakarta, and 32 came from other provinces. Presentations were given on UPF’s Principles of Peace and group activities were organized. One activity involved groups of participants drawing their vision of “peace leadership” and presenting it to everyone.
Three Ambassadors for Peace, Mr. Yasril Baharuddin, convener of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP)-Indonesia; Dr. Agus Mulyana, chairman of Masjid Agung Harakatul Jannah; and Mr. Radif, a lecturer at Djuanda University, who invited 16 of the participants, were the special guests for the closing ceremony. Each gave a motivational speech and called for harmony, understanding and cooperation among all Indonesians irrespective of religion, political views, and ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, they emphasized the need to uphold the founding principles and constitution of Indonesia, which is expressed in the official national motto of “Unity in Diversity.”
The event concluded with the appointment of one youth Ambassador for Peace.
As religious tensions continue in Indonesia, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called on religious leaders to help restore inter-religious harmony in order to preserve the unity of the nation. Through the program, the participants could experience a unity of heart and felt the spirit of “One Family Under God” in action.