Be Indonesia’s Strong and Resilient Young Generation, President Jokowi Tells Scout Members

Photo caption: President Jokowi strikes a timpani to mark the opening of the 10th National Scout Jamboree on Sunday (14/8) in Cibubur, East Jakarta. (Photo by: Public Relations Division/Jay)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Jokowi called onScout members to prepare themselves to become Indonesia’s young generation who are strong and resilient.

The President made the statement in his remarks at the 55^th Anniversary of the National Scout Movement Day and the Opening of the 10^th National Scout Jamboree held at Bumi Perkemahan Wiladatika in Cibubur, East Jakarta, Sunday (14/8).

The opening of the Jamboree was marked by the striking of a timpaniby President Jokowi.

“Prepare yourselves to become productive young people who are full optimism, young people with high fighting spirit, young people who are not afraid to compete, and young people who are resilient. However, you also have to become young people who love others and who uphold manner and politeness,” the President said in his remarks.

As a big nation, President Jokowi said, Indonesia also has to face big challenges such aspoverty, social gap, and unemployment and in the future, along with the competition among countries, Indonesia must have high competitiveness and productivity to face those challenges.

President Jokowi also praised the theme of this year’s National Scout Jamboree: “Bangun Karakter Kaum Muda melalui Kegiatan yang Keren, Gembira, dan Asyik” (To Build Characters of Young People Through Cool, Fun, and Enjoyable Activities)

This year’s Jamboree is also expected to become a momentum for the Scout Movement to rejuvenate the spirit of the youth as well as to become a medium for the members to learn in cool, enjoyable, and fun ways.

On that occasion, President Jokowi called on members of the Scout Movementto always follow the advancement of the information technology that develops rapidly and to use it in a positive and smart way.

President Jokowi also told the Scout members to use the information technology to spread the messages of the Scout Movement, to lure others to join the movement, and to further attract them to be involved in Scout activities.

Nevertheless, President Jokowi reminded the Scout members against using social media for unproductive things.

“Don’t use social media to reproach others, to curse others, to look down on others, to vilify others andto spread hatred. Don’t use it for unproductive things,” the President said.

In the meantime, Chairman of the Indonesian Scout Movement (ISM), Adhyaksa Dault, said that this year’s National Jamboree, which is held until 21 August, is attended by 25,000 Scout members from all over Indonesia, 2,500 companions, 2,500 committee members, as well as 259 participants from nine countries.

Also on that occasion, 37 national figures and Scout members received awards.

They are, among others, former President Megawati Soekarno Putri who was conferred with the Lencana Tunas Kencana Award, as well as  Minister of the Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, Governor of Lampung M. Ridho Ficardo, Governor of Banten Rano Karno, Governor of North Kalimantan Irianto Lambrie, Gombloh the composer of the song Kebyar-Kebyar, as well as other figures, who also received awards.

Also attending the event were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, Attorney General Prasetyo, as well as Ambassadors of friendly countries. (UN/ES)(EP/YM/Naster)