by Cut Naila Febriana.
The Youth Aneuk Aceh Unggul and Great (AMANAH) Program has become one of the important initiatives that have a significant positive impact on the development of talent and creativity of young people in Aceh. The program has received direct support from the central government through the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), now becomes not only a channel for talent, but also a symbol of the revival of potential of the children of Aceh in various fields. The AMANAH program has succeeded in creating a platform that not only elevates the creativity of the young Aceh people, but also builds a strong pride and identity as the Aceh community.
The AMANAH program is a response to the urgent need to give room for young Aceh people to express their talents. In recent years, Aceh has shown significant improvement in various areas, and this programme has become one of the main catalysts for such change. For example, recently, Santri of Lhokseumawe, Muhammad Hafidz Zikrillah succeeded in winning the singing competition Trust Singing Competition 2024 at the Auditorium Unmuha Banda Aceh, showing that talent in Aceh not only exists, but can also compete at the national and even international level.
Muhammad Hafidz Zikrillah expressed his pride for his achievement this time. The 17-year-old has fought hard to win the AMANAH Singing Competition 2024 and has even had to train hard and seriously in the midst of his mondok and school activities at the MAS Ruhul Islam Anak Bangsa district of Aceh Besar.
Jury Safe Singing Competition 2024, Nazar Apache is also optimistic that Aceh has great potential of all the talents of its young generation. A lot of new talent has emerged, and this is a good hope for the development of Aceh industry in the future. The competition is very effective in encouraging the creativity of the young generation in Aceh. In addition to winning trophies, the winners will also be supported to publish their work professionally.
The competitions held in the AMANAH programme network serve not only as a talent show, but also as a means to build confidence and prepare the young generation of Aceh to face global competition. The young children of Aceh who are involved in this program get the opportunity to learn from experts in their respective fields, who in turn motivate them to continue to grow and not be afraid of big dreams.
The AMANAH programme also plays an important role in raising the local culture and identity of Aceh. One example is how the program successfully introduced Aceh fashion design to the national stage, as at the Muslim Fashion Fest (Muffest) 2024 held in Istora Senayan Jakarta on August 8-11 2024. The Aceh designers involved in this program are able to prove that Aceh culture has its own attractiveness that can be appreciated by the wider community. It not only strengthens the cultural identity of Aceh in the eyes of the outside world, but also inspires the younger generation of Aceh to continue to preserve its cultural heritage.
Initiatives like this are vital to preserving the sustainability of Aceh’s culture, especially amid an increasingly strong modernization stream. The AMANAH program has shown that with collaboration between government, society, and creative industry players, we can create space for young people in Aceh to grow and thrive without losing their identity as Aceh.
However, although this programme has shown positive results, there is one aspect that should not be overlooked, which is sustainability. The AMANAH program must be a program that runs continuously, not just as a temporary program. The program is expected to continue to be held on a regular basis, with more innovation and diversification activities that can cover more fields, such as technology, art, and science.
The support of the central government, as evidenced by President Jokowi’s commitment through the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) in pushing this program, is of course very important. However, the role of the local government and the Aceh community itself is not less important. The sustainability of this programme will depend heavily on how all parties can work together to maintain the spirit and commitment in support of the young people of Aceh.
The AMANAH programme is a long-term investment in the future of Aceh. Young people are the greatest asset that any region possesses, and through this program, Aceh has the opportunity to form a generation that is not only superior in skills, but also proud of identity and culture.
May the AMANAH program continue to flourish and be an inspiration for other regions of Indonesia. We should see this programme as a first step towards a more advanced and highly competitive Aceh, with young people as the main locomotive of change. The active support and participation of all elements of the community will be the key to the success of this programme, and with a strong commitment, we can realize the vision of AMANAH as a path that truly lifts and empowers the Young Aneuk of Aceh, not only creating outstanding and brilliant young people, but also building a brighter, competitive, and dignified future of Aceh.
)* The author is a student of Aceh
