Policy-related discussions involving young people in Indonesia should always take into account the diversity of Indonesian youth, recommends a new study developed by UNFPA in collaboration with the Youth Studies Centre (YouSure) from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).
The comprehensive study on adolescent- and youth-related policies in Indonesia provides recommendations on key issues and priority policies for youth in the form of a holistic youth-development framework. It emphasizes the necessity to establish coordination across sectors and organizations, and involve youth as part of this process.
“Engaging young people in policy and programme development will build the leadership capacity of young people and stimulate new energy from both adults and youth,” explained UNFPA Indonesia’s Representative Mr. Jose Ferraris, during his keynote address at the launch of the study in Jakarta on Thursday, 6 August.
“A safe, successful and healthy passage from adolescence into adulthood is the right of every child. However this right can only be fulfilled if we make focused investments; investments to ensure that adolescents have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and resilience they need for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life.”
Dr. Muhammad Najib Azca and Dr. Subando Agus Mardono from the Youth Studies Centre of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UGM, drafted the study, which involved inputs from participants of focus group discussions and consultative meetings with several ministries, youth networks and the UN Interagency Network on Youth Development (IANYD), which UNFPA coordinates.
From left: Prof. DR. Sri Moertiningsih Adioetomo, Prof. Dr. dr. Siswanto Agus Wilopo, Dr. Elizabeth Jane Soepardi, Prof. Ir. Nizam, Prof. Terence H Hull and Dr. Margaretha Sitanggang.
Ms. Suharti and Ms. Ani Pudyastuti with their team from the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) also contributed to the study, leading discussions with the Government and youth networks to provide sources of data and to review the study analysis.
The launch included a panel discussion with Prof. Ir. Nizam, head of the Center for Educational Assessment of Office for Research and Development from the Ministry of Education and Culture, UGM Prof. Dr. Siswanto Agus Wilopo, Prof. Dr. Sri Moertiningsih Adioetomo, Dr. Elizabeth Jane Soepardi, Director of Child Health from the Ministry of Health, and Prof. Terence Hull from the Australian National University.
The seminar was also an opportunity for Mr. Ferraris to extend his appreciation to Dr. Nina Sardjunani, Deputy Minister for Development Planning on Human Resources and Culture Affairs of Bappenas for her dedication and support to the the development of UNFPA programmes over the past two decades.
UNFPA Indonesia Representative Mr. Jose Ferraris, Dr. Muhammad Najib Azca, Dr. Nina Sardjunani and UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Douglas Broderick. © UNFPA Indonesia
“Ibu Nina was among the first policy makers who understood the implications of a demographic dividend for the country’s social and economic development,” Mr. Ferraris said. “She has worked tirelessly to engage the academic community with policy makers to establish evidence to support public policy in this area.”
Also in attendance was the UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Douglas Broderick and Prof. Fasli Jalal, the former head of the National Family Planning and Population Board (BKKBN).
