By Yusril Rauf )*
Acehnese youth are increasingly proud to see the extraordinary developments through the Aneuk Muda Aceh Unggul dan Hebat (AMANAH) program, an initiative initiated by the Head of BIN, Police General (ret.) Prof. Dr. Budi Gunawan, SH, M.Sc., Ph.D., PSM, based on a mandate from President Joko Widodo. This program is a breath of fresh air for the young generation of Aceh, who have been trying to find space to develop their potential in the fields of creativity, business, and technology. AMANAH is here as an answer to this urgent need, creating a forum to foster innovation and build bridges connecting Aceh with the outside world.
In many aspects, Aceh has great potential. Aceh as a region rich in culture, history, and natural resources, where this province has shown extraordinary strength. However, it cannot be denied that in terms of innovation and creativity-based economic development, some parts of Acehnese youth are still lagging behind in several aspects compared to other regions in Indonesia. Through AMANAH, BIN strategically prepares Aceh to catch up, providing equal opportunities for Acehnese youth to compete at the national and international levels.
The AMANAH building, which was inaugurated on October 15, 2024, is not only a physical symbol of the program, but also a center of activities that serves as a meeting point for the young generation of Aceh. AMANAH is designed to be a center of innovation, a place to hone skills in various fields, from business, technology, art, to the creative industry. The building is equipped with various modern facilities, including co-working spaces, production studios, technology laboratories, and training and skills development centers.
For Acehnese youth, the presence of AMANAH is very important. This building provides a space where fresh ideas can grow and collaborate. Young people who may have felt they did not have access or adequate facilities to develop their creativity can now use this building to innovate. Training programs, workshops, and seminars held at AMANAH open up insights into the various opportunities that exist in the outside world and of course are an important step in opening access to global opportunities.
One of the most interesting aspects of the AMANAH program is BIN’s grand vision in connecting Aceh to the international world. In this era of globalization, innovation and creativity are not only important at the local level, but must also be able to compete in the global market. AMANAH, through its programs, aims to make Aceh a center of innovation connected to the global market.
BIN actively engages international partners to support the development of this program. Collaboration with industry players, academics, and governments abroad opens up great opportunities for Acehnese youth to be involved in international projects. The AMANAH program is also designed to encourage the younger generation to be more confident in pursuing global opportunities. Through various activities such as innovation competitions, entrepreneurship training, and international exchanges, Acehnese youth are given the opportunity to expand their networks, learn from the best, and bring our innovative ideas to the international market.
AMANAH is not just about technological and business innovation. This program is also very focused on the development of the creative economy, a sector that has great potential in Aceh. Ahlul Fikri, one of the Architecture students of Syiah Kuala University Banda Aceh who also won second place in the AMANAH Tenun Competition, stated that AMANAH has provided an existential space for Acehnese weaving creativity in the hands of young people. He has succeeded in bringing the concept of Acehnese house design which is interspersed with several bungong jeumpa motifs (cempaka flowers) and cakra donya motifs, symbolizing peace for the people of Aceh. The symbol of hope is represented by the shape of the front of the cakra donya or giant bell, a legacy of the Samudra Pasai Sultanate. For him, this symbol of hope is a representation of how AMANAH is also a hope for young people in Aceh
Another flagship program is the Lamno Robusta Coffee nursery in Pante Keutapang Village, Jaya District, Aceh Jaya Regency. This program has received full support from President Joko Widodo through the State Intelligence Agency, which not only aims to increase local coffee productivity, but also empower the young generation of Aceh through the coffee farming sector.
According to M. Haris, one of the robusta coffee farmers in Aceh Jaya, the Lamno Robusta Coffee nursery has great potential to become a new economic center in Aceh Jaya Regency. In addition to its taste that suits the tastes of the Acehnese people, the coffee also has special qualities for consumers who have a history of stomach acid disease.
Lamno Robusta Coffee Seedlings developed by AMANAH with the help of Lamno youth in Pante Keutapang Village, Jaya District, Aceh Jaya Regency. Robusta coffee cultivation in the Lamno area is carried out with the aim of improving community welfare and providing new economic opportunities. Haris also hopes that by achieving the target of Lamno’s robusta coffee cultivation, it can become a mainstay and bring significant economic changes to the local community.
With all the opportunities offered by AMANAH, the hope of many Acehnese youth is that this program will continue and grow and hope that AMANAH can reach more youth throughout Aceh, including those in remote areas. With the sustainability and expansion of this program, Aceh believes that AMANAH can become a center of innovation that will not only make Aceh proud, but also Indonesia.
With the support of BIN, AMANAH has taken an extraordinary first step. Now is the time for the young generation of Aceh to step forward and make AMANAH a bridge that connects us to the world.
)* the author is a student from Aceh
