Youth and Community Development

Indonesian youth is the expectation of the nation. The future of a country depends on how big the sacrifice of its youth to advance their country. Youth should be used as well as possible because at a young age is collected all potential, from physical, time, and intellectual abilities. Competitiveness of a nation will be determined self-reliance and the ability of youth to always improve the quality, excellence and human resources. As the bulk of the population of Indonesia, the youth should be a priority target in efforts to improve the quality of human resources to become the next advanced and independent generation. We need to realized  that the greatest wealth in Indonesia lies in human resources. Youth as future leaders must have a great capability to be able to compete in the global arena. Indonesia takes the role of youth as a professional in their respective fields. Together with other youth who have the same vision then form a community, moving together to advance this nation. Facing an increasingly serious challenges ahead, Indonesian youth must be prepared in all fields, to compete and win the competition without losing our culture. Vice Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Bagas Hapsoro, in a youth communication seminar which held at University of Pelita Harapan last March, claim that youth must be united to create a strong network with other youth from all aspects of life, so that their impact will be able to reach mutual understanding and promote regional cooperation. And other opinion, Minister of Youth and Sports, Andi A. Mallarangeng said, "Indonesian youth must master three languages​​, the first is the language of unity, Indonesian, one international language, and at least one local language." One of the position and role of youth in a country is as Agent of Change. The first President of Indonesia, Ir. Sukarno, said in a passion speech, "Give me ten young men, then I'll shake the world!" In his mind, youth described the figure of a superior, enthusiastic, intellectual, and the most important  is the attitude. Youth are superior figure, progressive, revolutionary, and have fiery spirit. In the history of the struggle of Indonesia, youth has always occupied a very strategic role of any significant events that occurred. It can even be said that the youth become the backbone of the whole struggle against Dutch and Japanese colonialism at the time. Youth as Agents of Change will not be able to make significant changes if it is not supported by a system or supporting device. One of them by community, is the most effective facilities to make such changes. A youth can not make changes individually, because of limited ability. This is where the role of community born. Nowadays, many communities set up by Indonesian youth, whether in the social, political, humanitarian, interests and talents, sports, or any community in virtual world. In each region have their respective societies. This amounts prove that there are many youth who care about the fate of the Indonesian nation. They want to contribute to various expertise for a better Indonesia. Some of the youth community where each community has a varies focus on, such as Sekolah Bersama Yuk (SBY), Sanggar Juara, Forum for Indonesia, Indonesia Future Leaders (IFL), Indonesia Student Youth Forum (ISYF), Kine Forum and Wiser Earth. These communities are some examples of place where youth can actualize themselves and be creative based on each excellence or focus. Forming of these communities is very important, because it can develop the maturity of mind, increasing the power of analysis, and ability to work within a team. The youth can exchange ideas and thoughts in resolving problems and challenges facing Indonesia recently. If already participate in a community, the youth can perform its role as a Social Control. It’s realized by strengthening the insight of nationalism; raising awareness of the responsibilities, rights and obligations as citizens; generating critical attitude towards the government and law enforcement; increasing participation in the formulation of public policy, and ensuring transparency and public accountability, providing easy access to get information. If the role as agent of change and social control has been fulfilled, automatically  also the youth has carried out his role as a Moral Strength. It can be implemented by developing aspects of ethics and morality in the act on every dimension of youth life; strengthening the faith and piety, spiritual and mental endurance; and increasing awareness of the law. If the youth already play an active role in the development of Indonesia, then Indonesia will become an advanced country. Does not colonized by other countries in economy and culture anymore. Indonesia will become an independent country that does not rely on other countries. In conclusion, youth and their communities have a contribution in the country's development. Community helps and encourages youth to carry out their active role in the development of Indonesia. Therefore, the government should participate in various aspects to support the development and advancement of youth communities.