JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon reminded that Indonesian culture is in the midst of global pressure and the younger generation must be at the forefront of maintaining national identity. He conveyed the warning when providing briefing at the 2024/2025 Academic Year National University Graduation Period II at the Jakarta International Convention Center, Saturday (15/11).
In his presentation entitled Maju Culture, the United Nations, Fadli called graduation an important momentum for graduates to strengthen their role towards Indonesia Gold 2045. He explained a series of global challenges such as geopolitical conflicts, disinformation, technological disruption, to cultural homogenization that erodes the nation's identity.
"Traditional values such as deliberation, tolerance, mutual cooperation, and compassion are bidders of world polarization," he said in front of thousands of graduates.
Fadli further emphasized that Indonesia has large capital in the form of 1,340 ethnic groups, 718 languages, and thousands of intangible cultural heritages. He also referred to Indonesia as one of the oldest civilizations, with 60 percent of the world's Homo-erectus fossils found in the archipelago, including the Pithecanthropus erectus in Bengawan Solo.
He explained the government's efforts to repatriate cultural objects that have been stored abroad, including 28,000 ancient human fossils. Repatriation is said to be an important step in restoring cultural sovereignty.
Fadli also highlighted Indonesia's great potential in modern industries based on intellectual property (IP). Borobudur, Prambanan, and cultural expressions from Aceh to Papua are the power of our IP," he said.
To graduates, he reminded that cultural identity is the main guide in the midst of the development of STEM and modern technology. "Technology is just a tool, not an excuse to stay away from cultural roots," he said.
Fadli closed the briefing with the invitation to treat Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as a unifying force, as well as capital to build an advanced and dignified Indonesia.
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