By: Sidny Pramesta )*
The 2025 Youth Pledge Day commemoration is a crucial moment for the Indonesian nation to reaffirm the spirit of unity and solidarity amidst the rapid flow of change. In this modern era, rife with information disruption, the meaning of the Youth Pledge is no longer merely a historical symbol but must be embodied in concrete behavior that reflects social responsibility and mature thinking.
The government reminds all young people not to be easily provoked by misleading issues, especially ahead of national momentum which is often exploited by certain parties to spread hatred and divide society.
The spirit of this year’s Youth Pledge serves as a moral call for young people to reaffirm their identity as drivers of social harmony and stability. The values of unity, tolerance, and mutual cooperation, proclaimed on October 28, 1928, are now taking on new forms in digital life.
Maintaining a conducive atmosphere on social media and in public spaces is a manifestation of this spirit in the current era. Wisely disseminating information, rejecting hate speech, and actively participating in creating peaceful spaces are tangible reflections of the spirit of the Youth Pledge in the modern era.
Expert Staff for Central, Regional, and International Relations at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Suyadi Pawiro, believes that the spirit of unity must be manifested not only in social actions, but also in virtual world interactions which have now become an inseparable part of everyday life.
Suyadi Pawiro stated that the younger generation has a significant responsibility in creating a safe, peaceful, and productive social environment amidst the rapid flow of information. Therefore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is expanding its focus on youth development by strengthening character and digital literacy. This effort is designed to ensure that young people are at the forefront of building a healthy, ethical, and provocative public space.
The government views this step as a long-term strategy to develop a generation that excels not only in science but also in moral and character maturity. Digital literacy is key to strengthening society’s resilience against the spread of hoaxes, hate speech, and social polarization.
For the government, building youth character is essentially the same as building the nation’s future. Therefore, education in media values and ethics is a top priority in preparing a younger generation capable of facing global challenges without losing their national identity.
Novelist JS Khairen believes that maintaining conducive digital environments requires sensitivity and a strong sense of social responsibility. Young people, with their energy and idealism, need to be strategically positioned in building a healthy digital culture.
According to JS Khairen, critical thinking skills and reading habits are crucial to preventing the younger generation from being easily swept away by the flow of misleading information. He believes that cultivating good literacy habits will strengthen the nation’s character and broaden young people’s horizons, enabling them to assess issues clearly and proportionately.
Similarly, musician and songwriter Indra Prasta of the group The Rain emphasized the importance of balancing enthusiasm and ethics in social media. He believes that youth represent the nation’s character. Therefore, the energy and creativity of the younger generation must be directed toward positive causes, such as spreading inspiration, building solidarity, and strengthening national spirit.
According to Indra, collaboration is key to maintaining social stability amidst diversity. Through cross-generational and cross-community collaboration, youth can become drivers of innovation and peacekeepers in society.
In the context of national development, maintaining conducive conditions in the digital era is not merely an effort to create order, but also to provide an inclusive space for every citizen to grow and contribute together.
The government believes that mature thinking and calm demeanor are new forms of intelligence that today’s young generation must possess. Therefore, the digital literacy campaign, leadership training, and character-building programs initiated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports are concrete steps to strengthen the nation’s social resilience.
The 2025 Youth Pledge Day commemoration is not just an annual ceremony, but a moment to reaffirm our national commitment amidst the onslaught of provocation and disinformation. The government urges the younger generation to use this commemoration as an opportunity for introspection and reflection, rather than a reaction to divisive issues. The spirit of the Youth Pledge is truly about the courage to unite, think clearly, and act for the common good.
With the spirit of mutual cooperation and a spirit of unity that continues to thrive, the government believes that Indonesia’s younger generation is capable of maintaining peace, strengthening brotherhood, and becoming pioneers of positive change in every aspect of life. In the hands of intelligent, integrity-driven, and resilient youth, the nation’s lofty ideals of becoming a strong, peaceful, and sovereign nation will be maintained.
)* Public Policy Observer
