Youth Pledge Day, Jokowi: Age Is Not A Limit, We All Must Keep the Youth Spirit

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat YouTube)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo gave a speech at the peak of the commemoration of the 93rd Youth Pledge Day. Commemorating Youth Pledge Day, Jokowi considers the regional government to be the leader of change in the digital era.

After 93 years of youth pledges for one Indonesia, said Jokowi, this has actually given birth to diversity. Even though the culture, ethnicity, language, skin color, and religion are different, it is not an obstacle to building the country.

It reminds us that the world is constantly changing. Times have changed to all digital. This is where the role of youth born in the digital age to take a central role.

"Now, in the digital era, youth again have a central role. Youth is the biggest strength, a demographic bonus for the Indonesian nation. Youth are the ones who dare to take risks and seize opportunities," Jokowi said in a YouTube show at the Presidential Secretariat, Thursday, October 28.

However, Jokowi interprets youth not only as young citizens. According to him, previous generations can also adopt the spirit of youth in thinking and working.

"Youth should not be limited by age. Age is not a limitation, nor a guarantee. We all must stay young. The young must continue to equip themselves with the latest, the latest. The previous generation must continue to rejuvenate themselves by adopting new ways of thinking and working," he explained.

Jokowi understands that not all youth in Indonesia have the opportunity to receive higher education who can master technology and understand the latest developments in science and technology.

In fact, therein lies the role of Indonesian youths in sharing knowledge and skills with those who do not understand, improving welfare for the poor, so as to make all Indonesian youths contribute to the progress of the nation.

"That is the essence of leadership. Leadership is helping those who cannot become capable and helping those who can become even more capable. Leadership is not a position, let alone a position. Leadership is influence, leadership is inspiration, leadership is what makes visions come true," he concluded.