Held Leadership Discussion 2024, Nation Cadre Association Discourses On Alternative Youth Candidates

Dimas Oky Nugroho (speaking)/Photo: VOI

Jakarta - Ahead of the 2024 General Election and at the same time responding to the post-pandemic situation in Indonesia, the National Cadre Association held a discussion on the socio-economic, political and leadership situation. From the discussion which was attended by representatives of young people from various regions in Indonesia, many aspirations emerged, ranging from strengthening socio-culture, the benefits of the creative economy and digital economy for young people, environmental issues, social inequality, strengthening democracy, to support for the emergence of independent presidential candidates. young people in the 2024 presidential election later.

“This discussion is a sign that young Indonesians, regardless of their region of origin, religion, political party, with a very large population, have the same aspirations in facing the era of change. We want and are ready to be more involved, participate and even lead this nation-building process together," said Dimas Oky Nugroho, Head of the National Cadre Association, Monday, February 14 when opening the discussion.

The discussion event with the theme "Chat Together: Transformation of Indonesia and the Vision of National Leadership, an Anthology of Thoughts from Aceh to Papua" was held in a hybrid manner and was attended by around a hundred young leaders.

One of the youth leaders from South Tangerang, Banten, Fahd Pahdepie who was present at the discussion, gave a number of notes about the importance of capacity involvement of young people in national leadership.

“Talk about leadership must have at least 3 criteria. First, insight, or insight, knowledge of the various problems faced. Second, a leader must have integrity, which is a commitment to something bigger than the interests of himself, his family or group," he said.

If the leader already has insight and integrity, continued Fahd, it will give birth to inspiration, something that encourages people to move together, join the struggle together. "I think that's the kind of leader that young people need and choose," he explained.

Ferdiansyah, a youth representative from Palembang, South Sumatra said that today the world is focused on three main issues, in accordance with the theme of the Indonesian G20 Presidency. Namely, the global health architecture, which according to him can be interpreted as Indonesia's efforts to voice the interests of developing countries on the international stage.

Furthermore, the green economy and digital economy are the future that must be fought for. According to this lecturer at Sriwijaya University, these three things require the involvement and presence of young people's leadership.

Meanwhile, Adi, from Makassar, South Sulawesi, stated that changes and improvements in Indonesia's socio-economic, cultural and political situation cannot be separated from the leadership of young people. "It has become a historical fact, especially with the large number of productive age population and young people today, the leadership of young people cannot be avoided," said the lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah Makassar.

Meanwhile, a youth leader from Cianjur, West Java, Fajar Arif Budiman hopes for the emergence of alternative and independent young leaders in the 2024 presidential election. Fajar emphasized that this alternative youth presidential discourse must be translated in a concrete way.

“I think, borrowing the three criteria mentioned for leaders who must have insight, integrity and inspiring action, we don't find many leaders like that. However, among young people, I think we have met some figures such as Bang Dimas Oky Nugroho and maybe some other youth leaders, I think, deserve to be supported as alternative presidential candidates from civil society youths," said Fajar, who is known as a mover for West Java youth.

A youth leader from Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Mohamad Taufik supports the idea of a youth presidential candidate as an alternative to the strengthening elitism in the national political sphere. "Indonesian youth are the owners of this country, and we must be involved in every process of the nation's journey. Regarding national leadership, I think this country must give space for young people to advance," said the former chairman of the East Kalimantan KPU.

Ni Made Ras Amanda, a representative of young people in Denpasar, Bali, highlighted the importance of quality involvement of young people in the digital world and social media. Meanwhile, Novita Kristen, a youth community leader from Malang, East Java, hopes that young people should not be used as tools for politicization and for that they must have their own issues to advance and fight for, which are not contaminated by elite and oligarchic issues.

Meanwhile, Choirul Huda, an NU youth leader from Salatiga, Central Java, stated the importance of young Indonesians highlighting the phenomenon of radicalism and providing solutions to it. Hendra Iban, a young leader from Central Kalimantan, stated the importance of common awareness for young people to build historical blocks for the benefit of the nation.

Meanwhile, Sahat Sinurat, former General Manager of GMKI, said that the youth movement for future national leadership could be maximized through political parties. For this reason, he demands reform and innovation of political parties in the face of the 2024 elections that are more progressive and accommodating to the voices and figures of young leaders.