Activities
16. February 2010
Spreading Peace and Harvesting Harmony
Indonesian Students Declare "SAVE Indonesia!"
One hundred students from fifty Javanese high schools, universities, and pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) came together in late December 2009 to declare the birth of SAVE Indonesia (Students Against Violence and Extremism). The students drafted a 10-point declaration, resolving to respect every difference, refuse discriminatory behaviour, speak out against violence and promote the spirit of sisterhood in Indonesia. The declaration was the culmination of two Indonesian Students’ Youth Peace Camps 2009 held in Tawangmangu and Lembang, in central and west Java. The camps were organized by the Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies (CePDeS) Jakarta in cooperation with local organizations in Solo and Bandung, with the support of Initiatives of Change (IofC) Indonesia.
Lily Zakiyah Munir, Director of CePDeS and SAVE Member, emphasized that the “activities were initiated because of deep concerns [about the] violence which has emerged using religious doctrines and dogmas mainly targeted [at] youth. We hope these camps will give birth to a new generation of Indonesian youth who will internalize the values of love and peace, and appreciation of diversity.” Each camp lasted for four days, during which the participants reflected on acceptance of self, belief in diversity and ability to lead, using the frame of the following mini-workshops:
“Plurality”: a group examination of difference (physical and non-, religious, philosophical, etc.).
“Self-Analysis”: based on the premise that peace starts from within, participants are asked to reflect on themselves and their self-worth.
“Discovering the Other”: getting to know one another, recognizing and acknowledging different backgrounds and world views without prejudice or judgement.
“Non-Violence and Forgiveness”: an examination of the importance of peaceful conflict resolution, forgiving and asking for forgiveness.
“Beauty in Diversity”: a place to use creative projects as a means to express the beauty of peace in diversity (painting, short, etc.).
“Morning Contemplation (Quiet Time)”: a daily guided contemplation, using a reflection-correction-action model to approach events of the past, present and future.
“'Family’ Groups”: a space to share life stories, confusions and hardships, and to build self-confidence.
“Team Building Game”: a game to develop the participants’ skills in team work and leadership.
Participants commented:
“I have always been detached from the community where I live because I behave differently from my peers and I don’t like fighting. Now I feel more open, and I am not afraid anymore to be a different person whether in the family, school or society.”
Kuncoro, Solo
“For me, this camp is extraordinarily fun, exciting, and thrilling. I learned a lot of new things on the importance of peace and diversities... For me, peace must start from my own self, before I can ask other people to be peaceful.”
Lala, Solo
“Differences are God’s blessings to make our lives more beautiful. My commitment after participating in this camp is to become a peace activist who will spread the viruses of peace and the reconciliation of conflicts with a cool head, not with muscles.”
Redza, Bandung
DECLARATION OF INDONESIAN STUDENTS ON PEACE IN 2009:
1. I, the Indonesian young generation, highly respect every difference that should be safeguarded and respected in our daily lives;
2. I will cast away from any discriminatory attitudes and behaviours disadvantaging other individuals or groups;
3. I will prevent any kind of acts of violence and extremism;
4. I refuse any forms of violence and extremism on whatever grounds;
5. I am prepared and committed to become a peace activist and to be part of an international peace network that continually seeks to end all forms of violence and extremism;
6. I fully support all positive actions of the Indonesian young generation in performing peace activities;
7. I am prepared to become pioneer of peace movement and form the SAVE Indonesia Network developed by Indonesian students and santris;
8. I will involve the government, students’ organizations and the society to play an active role in safeguarding Indonesia’s young generation from all forms of violence and extremism;
9. I will uplift the spirit of sisterhood, mutual respect and peace in guarding Indonesia’s harmony and diversity;
10. I will speak out against all forms of discrimination and violence by anybody through various media.
SAVE Indonesia or Students Against Violence and Extremism is a network of students from all over Indonesia with a commitment to spread the “viruses” of peace through extracurricular activities such as training, camping, and workshops. This network is open to students with various backgrounds in religion, ethnicity and cultures and with the same vision for a peaceful Indonesia in diversity.
CePDeS (Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promote the humanity teachings of Islam through democracy and human rights education in Muslim societies. Since its birth in 2002, CePDeS has implemented various programs among others voter education in 2004 and 2009 to promote political rights of women and the marginalized, good governance and health budget advocacy, and leadership training for grassroots community leaders. CePDeS is currently working with the youths to strengthen civil society through peace education.
Lily Zakiyah Munir participated in the first Global SAVE Conference in Vienna in November 2010.
