The Spirit of the Youth Pledge in the Government’s Commitment to Building a Resilient Young Generation in Papua

By: Yulianus Wanimbo*

The spirit of the Youth Pledge, which united the Indonesian people in the determination of one nation, one people, and one language, is now rekindled in Papua. Under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership, this spirit has been put into concrete action: developing Papua’s young generation as the vanguard of the nation’s progress. The government has positioned Papua not merely as a development area, but as a center for the revival of nationalism, affirming that every child of the nation, from Sabang to Merauke, has equal rights and opportunities for advancement.
This momentum of togetherness was evident in the National Seminar “United Feelings Embracing Colors” at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga. The presence of Billy Mambrasar, the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Papua’s Special Autonomy Development, conveyed a strong message from the central government about accelerating development in Papua that favors its people. The government emphasized that development in Papua must be carried out quickly, on target, and directly involve the local community, especially the younger generation. This spirit aligns with the values ​​of the Youth Pledge, which position youth as the spearhead of change and unifying the nation.
The fraternal atmosphere among Papuan students from Salatiga, Solo, and Semarang demonstrated the strong determination of the younger generation to contribute to the progress of their region. The government emphasizes the crucial role of Papuan youth in determining the direction of development that aligns with local character and potential. This approach marks a new era of inclusive, participatory, and equitable national development.
The government’s commitment to developing Papua is also reflected in strategic initiatives across various sectors. Young Papuan activist Charles Kossay believes that since the beginning of President Prabowo’s term, Papua has been a top priority for national development. Various policies and high-level working visits to eastern Indonesia emphasize the state’s full presence in Papua. The appointment of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Chair of the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Papuan Special Autonomy Development (BP3OKP) strengthened inter-ministerial coordination and accelerated the more effective implementation of special autonomy policies.
These steps not only bolstered physical development but also fostered self-confidence among the Papuan people, particularly the younger generation. The government continues to instill the value that Papua’s progress is an integral part of Indonesia’s progress. In this context, the spirit of the Youth Pledge finds relevance: building equality, strengthening unity, and creating a fair space for all children of the nation to develop together.
Education is a key pillar in developing a superior young generation in Papua. Through the Garuda Transformation School Program, the government is providing access to quality education in eastern Indonesia. The inauguration of the Garuda School in Sorong, Southwest Papua, is a tangible symbol of the commitment to ensuring that superior education is available not only in big cities but also in remote areas of the archipelago. This program is part of a broader vision of equalizing the quality of Indonesia’s human resources, where every Papuan child has an equal opportunity to excel at the national and global levels.
The government is also promoting the idea of ​​People’s Schools in Central Papua and Nabire as a people-based educational innovation. This model allows communities, traditional leaders, and youth to be directly involved in the teaching and learning process by utilizing local facilities such as village halls or places of worship. This concept reflects the spirit of mutual cooperation, which aligns with the values ​​of the Youth Pledge—building the nation with one’s own hands, together with the community, and based on local wisdom.
At the regional level, this collaborative spirit continues to be strengthened through the Bright Papua Cabinet program initiated by Papua Governor Mathius D. Fakhiri. The regional government has opened up direct dialogue with the community, listened to their aspirations, and used the people’s voice as the basis for public policy. This step demonstrates that good governance is not only manifested in policies but also in concrete actions that are close to the people. With a spirit of openness and participation, Papua is moving toward responsive and equitable governance.
This series of policies and initiatives demonstrates that the government is not simply building infrastructure but also developing empowered, educated, and confident Papuans. Papua’s young generation now has ample opportunity to become agents of development, future leaders, and guardians of the nation’s integrity. They are growing up in a strong spirit of nationalism, as proclaimed by the youth on October 28, 1928—a spirit now rekindled in the concrete manifestation of equitable development.
Papua today is a reflection of Indonesia’s transformation toward an inclusive future. The central and regional governments are working in unison, universities and youth communities are united, and indigenous communities are equal partners in development. All are moving in the same spirit: realizing social justice for all Indonesians.
Foundationed by the spirit of the Youth Pledge, the government’s commitment to developing Papua’s young generation has become a symbol of a new national awakening. Papua is no longer viewed from afar, but embraced as an inseparable part of the heart of Indonesia. Under the leadership of Prabowo-Gibran, Papua is rising with a spirit of unity, education, and national pride.
This is the true meaning of the motto “Papua Rises, Indonesia Strong” — when the spirit of the Youth Pledge merges with the government’s concrete work, producing a generation of resilient, intelligent young Papuans ready to lead Indonesia to future glory.

*The author is an activist and observer of Papuan youth education.