14 May 2007
Reporter Name: Mohammad Reiza – Indonesian Youth Delegate for UNESCO
Date of Programme: 9 May 2007
Type of Programme: Cultural Performance, exhibitions, fun discussion
Venue: Plaza DEPDIKNAS, Jakarta, Indonesia
Purpose of Programme:
To celebrate national education day 50 years anniversary of AFS and 22nd anniversary of Binabudaya in Indonesia, besides promoting intercultural understanding among Indonesian young people.
The Programme:
Youth Intercultural Day 2007 took place at Plaza DEPDIKNAS on 9 May 2007 and lasted from 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. with break for lunch and prayer. Organized by volunteers of Binabudaya. The programme was officially opened by Prof. Suyanto Phd. (Director General of the Management of the Primary & Secondary Education). and followed by some opening speeches by Ridwan Dareindra and Karina Yufrizal (Bina Antarbudaya), Dr. Arief Rachman MPd. (Executive Chairman of Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO) followed by a poem reading ‘Merindukan Pendidikan Untuk Bangsa’ by Taufik Ismail.
The programme comprised exhibitions, fun discussions and cultural performances involving high school students and featuring some AFS returnees as well as AFS hosting students. Youth Intercultural Day this year embraced the combination of intercultural education, presentation, discussion and exhibition that provided value-added activities to the organizers and the participants.
Some materials were produced to equip the participants during the programme such as programme book and programme schedule to give detail information and act as guidance for the Youth Intercultural Day participants. Furthermore, the exhibitons booths were also giving some brochures, magazines and prizes to the visitors, providing information on cultural diversity and intercultural sensitivity issues in Indonesia and throughout the world.
The Participants:
The participants of Youth Intercultural Day varied from education institutions to individuals and the committee thanked to:
Individuals: Prof. Suyanto Phd., Dr. Arief Rachman MPd., Dr. Irid Agoes, Najwa Shihab, Valerina Daniel, Mrs. Herlina Surbakti, Mrs. Jasmin Jasin, Mr. Sahala Harahap, Ms. Devin Maeztri, Ms. Snezana Swasti Brodjonegoro
Institutions: DEPDIKNAS, Komite Nasional Indonesia untuk UNESCO, ASPnet, IIEF, Goethe Institut Inter Nationes, Istituto Italiano de Cultura, The Japan Foundation, JASSO
Schools: STBA LIA, Australian International School, Gandhi Memorial School, Cita Buana, High Scope, Madrasah Aliyah Darunnajah Jakarta, Pesantren Persatuan Islam 69 Jakarta, Pesantren Al-Hamidiyah (Depok), SMU Presiden (Jababeka), SMU Santa Laurensia (BSD City), SMUN 8 Jakarta, SMUN 1 Leuwiliang, SMUN 1 Parung, SMUN 1 Karawang, SMU Cakra Buana, SMU Madania, SMK 51 Jakarta, SMUN 34 Jakarta, SMU A-Izhar Pd. Labu, SMU Diponegoro, SMUN 70 Jakarta, SMU Pribadi
Programme Content:
Youth Intercultural Day that was organized at Plaza DEPDIKNAS offered the participants further understanding and knowledge on intercultural issues, especially in Indonesia for the improvement of their selves to see intercultural perspective and for their future as leaders with cultural sensitivity.
• Sub-programme 1: Exhibitions
Intercultural booths occupied by some institutions that promote intercultural awareness were built around the area of the programme. To mention among the institutions are IIEF, Goethe Institute Inter Nationes, The Japan Foundation, Bina Antarbudaya, Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO, Edu France, Gandhi Memorial School, SMUN 1 Karawang and many more. The booths displayed some brochures, magazines and played cultural documentaries, which the participants and guests could enjoy throughout the programme.
• Sub-programme 2: Fun Discussion
There were some fun discussion held on Youth Intercultural Day including a plenary discussion presented by Dr. Irid Agoes on “Intercultural Concept” and an interactive sharing from AFS returnees, Najwa Shihab and Valerina Daniel about “How the Exchange Experience Contributes to Your Life and Career”. After the break, the participants were divided into three groups for breakdown discussion talking about ‘Tolerance’ assisted by Mrs. Jasmin Jasin and Kak Nena (pink group), ‘Managing Conflict’ led by Mr. Sahala Harahap and Kak Devin (yellow group) and ‘Responsibility’ facilitated by Mrs. Herlina Surbakti (blue group). At the end of the discussion, the group members presented the results of their group discussions. These three topics were related to intercultural sensitivity issues.
• Sub-programme 3: Cultural Performances
Throughout the programme of Youth Intercultural Day there were some cultural performance by the participating students as well as AFS hosting students. Among the cultural performances are Rampak Gendang by SMAN 8 Jakarta, Indonesian and modern dances by AFS hosting students, Marawis by Madrasah Aliyah Darunnajah Jakarta, Balinese dance by SMA 34 Jakarta, Japanese dance and folksong, Kembang Latar dance (Betawinese) by SMA 70 Jakarta, Angklung performance by SMA 1 Karawang, Indian dance by Gandhi Memorial International School, Jaipong dance by SMK 51, Lenggang Nyai and Zapin dances both by SMA Al Izhar to close the cultural performances.
Difficulty Arrising:
There were a few difficulties to mention that occurred during the programme. First, the participants – mostly high school students – were not that well knowledgeable about intercultural sensitivity issues happen in Indonesia, that is why they were not that actively participating in the fun discussions either because they didn’t know a lot about the topic being discussed or they didn’t feel comfortable to converse in English.
Furthermore, these circumstances continued on the breakdown discussion when they were divided into 3 groups. They didn’t know much about issues on tolerance, responsibility and managing conflict, plus they didn’t know some peers in the discussion groups. But overall, the programme was outstanding.
Findings:
There was immense enthusiasm shown by the participants of Youth Intercultural Day that was captured from their involvement in every discussion, question and answer session and also the cultural performances as well as the visit to the exhibition booths.
Recommendations:
Conducting continuing programme on the same topic for the same participants could give good outcomes for the programme series in improving cultural sensitivity.
