The 2025 Youth Pledge Day Commemoration Will Be a Momentum to Strengthen National Conduciveness
By: Fajar Sulistya)*
The 2025 Youth Pledge Day commemoration rekindles the spirit of unity and nationalism amidst the dynamic flow of social change. Amid rising political tensions post-election and the rapid flow of digital information that often fuels division, the spirit of the 1928 Youth Pledge serves as a moral foundation for strengthening national stability. This momentum is not merely an annual ceremony, but rather a collective reflection to ensure the nation remains firmly grounded in the values of unity, mutual cooperation, and tolerance.
The spirit of brotherhood is the central message of this year’s Youth Pledge commemoration. Amidst ethnic, religious, and cultural differences, the younger generation is expected to reinterpret the pledge of “one blood, one homeland, Indonesia” as a moral compass for overcoming social polarization.
In the view of a number of youth figures from various organizations, maintaining national conduciveness is not only the task of the security forces, but is a social responsibility inherent in every citizen—especially young people who are the heirs to the nation’s ideals.
The General Chair of the Ansor Youth Movement, Addin Jauharudin, believes that the commemoration of the Youth Pledge should serve as a reminder for all elements of the nation to unite to protect Indonesia from potential unrest and social division.
He emphasized the importance of national solidarity, especially amidst a social situation easily provoked by issues of ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup relations (SARA) and hate speech. He argued that maintaining order does not mean stifling the expression of people’s aspirations, but rather ensuring that every form of expression is peaceful, orderly, and dignified. Addin also emphasized that destructive actions will only harm the community itself and erode public trust in the spirit of nationalism.
In a statement read by the Interfaith Youth, Addin called on all youth organizations to maintain a safe atmosphere in society, strengthen the space for interfaith dialogue, and reject all forms of anarchic actions.
He believes that the togetherness between interfaith youth organizations is a concrete manifestation of the values of mutual cooperation and unity inherited from the youth of 1928. This synergy proves that the spirit of brotherhood remains alive amidst differences in beliefs and social views.
From another youth organization, Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat of GAMKI highlighted the importance of communication between the government and the people in maintaining national stability. He believes that public participation must be opened as widely as possible so that people’s aspirations can be conveyed without resorting to demonstrations that could potentially cause social tension. He believes that openly listening to the people’s aspirations is a strategic step to prevent horizontal conflict and strengthen trust in the government.
Meanwhile, Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla of Muhammadiyah Youth emphasized the role of security forces in maintaining stability through a humanistic approach. He believed the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) had a moral responsibility to prioritize persuasive measures to maintain public order.
Repressive actions, he argued, have the potential to exacerbate the situation and create new tensions within society. Dzulfikar urged authorities to enforce the law in a measured and just manner, and to take firm action against those who incite anarchic actions.
The 2025 Youth Pledge commemoration also serves as a crucial opportunity to reaffirm the role of the younger generation as agents of change. Young people are expected to be active not only in social spaces but also in the digital space.
In this context, digital literacy is crucial for suppressing the spread of hoaxes and hate speech that have the potential to divide the nation. Utilizing social media as a platform for spreading positive messages, cross-community collaboration, and promoting tolerance is a modern realization of the values of the Youth Pledge.
In addition, various youth organizations held social activities such as public discussions, digital campaigns, and arts and cultural performances to strengthen the sense of nationalism and expand the reach of the message of unity.
This activity not only showcases Indonesia’s cultural diversity but also demonstrates that collaboration between elements of society is a key force in maintaining national stability.
The spirit of deliberation inherited from the nation’s founders also serves as a crucial foundation for strengthening social harmony. Resolving problems through open and wise dialogue is the best solution to prevent conflicts that could disrupt national stability.
These values become relevant again when society is faced with situations that require maturity of attitude and magnanimity to place the interests of the nation above personal or group interests.
Ultimately, the 2025 Youth Pledge reflects the nation’s long journey in upholding unity amidst diversity. The values it embodies are not merely a piece of history, but rather a moral compass that must be kept alive.
In an era full of challenges, maintaining national conduciveness means safeguarding the future of the nation itself—keeping the spirit of brotherhood and mutual cooperation as the soul of every step of development.
When youth are able to rekindle the spirit of the Youth Pledge in a diverse society, national unity will be unshakeable. National conduciveness is not a condition that emerges suddenly, but rather the result of collective efforts, the awareness of every citizen to put the nation’s interests above all else.
In this context, the 2025 Youth Pledge Day commemoration is not only a moment to remember history, but also a milestone in strengthening unity and maintaining harmony for a peaceful and sovereign future for Indonesia. (*)
)* The author is a contributor to Jeka Media
