DPR Reopens Youth Parliament For Young Generation Political Learning

Photo by Dino Januarsa on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The Indonesian House of Representatives has reopened the Youth Parliament program intended for high school (SMA) and equivalent students. According to the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, this annual program is one of the means to teach politics and parliament to the younger generation.

"The Youth Parliament is a political learning activity for the younger generation, especially high school and equivalent students. They will experience a simulation of being a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives for 6 days," said Puan, Tuesday, July 9.

The activities of the Youth Parliament are held by the DPR every year. Puan said this program had an impact on increasing the understanding of teenagers about how the democratic process and the political process work in Indonesia.

"In addition, it can introduce the younger generation to the DPR RI as a State Institution that carries out political functions in the fields of legislation, budget and supervision," explained the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

For 2024, the Youth Parliament, which was held by the DPR, has the theme Smart Generation: Quality Education, Realizing Golden Indonesia. Registration for the Youth Parliament is open from June 25 to July 24.

There are several conditions that must be met by prospective participants in the Youth Parliament, including participating in the selection process. One of them is by making essays and videos according to the theme. If they pass the selection, participants will take part in the Youth Parliament activities on September 2-7, 2024.

"The Youth Parliament provides opportunities for the younger generation, especially high school students and the equivalent to understand the functions and roles of the DPR RI directly," said Puan.

The Youth Parliament activity will be attended by representatives of each electoral district (dapil), totaling 80 electoral districts in the selection of members of the DPR RI legislature in the 2019 election. From each electoral district, 2 people will be selected with the best score, except for the electoral districts of West Java, Central Java, and East Java, each of whom is chosen by 1 person with the best value.

Puan said that there are several purposes for the DPR to carry out Youth Parliament activities every year.

"The Youth Parliament aims to introduce the functions and roles of the DPR, the process of making public policies in parliament, and the democratic process in Indonesia through parliamentary simulations," explained the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

"The simulation program to become a member of the DPR for school students is a very relevant initiative because it helps improve the understanding of the younger generation about the process of making public policies and democracy in Indonesia," continued Puan.

Furthermore, Bung Karno's grandson said that the simulation of becoming a member of the DPR can inspire the younger generation to actively participate in politics. Then, said Puan, also so that the younger generation understands the importance of the legislative role in realizing positive changes.

"Through the Youth Parliament, the younger generation can get to know the legislative process, budget, and supervision carried out by members of the DPR," he said.

"This program also helps students develop skills to speak in public, negotiate, and cooperate," added Puan.