Social Affairs Minister Inspires Students, Addresses Social Issues

JAKARTA (25 May 2023) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini received an audience from the management and student delegates who are members of the Nusantara Student Executive Board (BEM), in the Minister’s Meeting Room, in Jakarta (24/05). Social Affairs Minister Risma hailed the students' participation, stating that the nation's destiny is in the hands of the next generation.

“You are the ones who can do it, who else, what do you want to be, who do you want to own this country? Who else will be the pioneers, if not you?" Risma asked.

In addition to meeting the Minister, BEM Nusantara delegates were there to discuss social empowerment programs implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). The Minister expects that BEM Nusantara delegates and MoSA will work together to develop social empowerment programs in their respective regions.

"You can create programs in your region. Or when I have a program, you can invite your friends to help out. You have a wealth of knowledge," Risma stated.

The Minister also encouraged BEM Nusantara delegates to learn a lot by going directly to vulnerable groups of people and gaining knowledge and experience that cannot be achieved through formal education.

As in Majene, Risma described her attempts to communicate with the local community. To reduce costs associated with the construction of earthquake-resistant schools, the Minister encouraged local citizens to collaborate in building schools.

"How much does school cost? It is reported to be IDR 1.2 billion. Then I ended up talking to the residents; whether they want to contribute or not, we collaborate so that (building) the school is more cost-effective. The tiny children helped lift the bricks. How much does the project cost in the end? Only IDR 500 million remains from the original IDR 1.2 billion. And that is knowledge, which you will never learn anywhere," the Minister said.

One of the delegates asked about a problem that frequently arises among young people, namely brawling. He asked the Minister of Social Affairs for her thoughts on how to handle this problem. According to the Minister, situations like this must be addressed at their underlying cause to avoid problems like brawls.

"So you investigate the root of the problem. If there is unemployment, consider how the program might be used to create jobs," the Minister replied.

Students are required to be able to communicate and foster community solidarity. Aside from enhancing the sense of unity, this step can pave the way for the formation of empowering ideas that help people live more prosperously.

"Establish communication with young people in your community. Identify some potentials for development. If there are no potentials due to limits, we will discuss them. So you can dig in your area, or I'll entrust the program later," Risma explained.

The Minister requested that students more thoroughly identify the social concerns in their community. For example, if there is unemployment among young people, students might investigate their needs and potential. If there is land, a business can be established. Alternatively, they may be interested in starting a workshop business, which has the potential to grow.

The Minister of Social Affairs hopes that the BEM Nusantara, which will organize a National Gathering this year with 500 campus representatives from across Indonesia, will make a difference by generating something valuable for the nation.

Also accompanying the Minister at this audience, Senior Advisor to the Minister for Communication and Mass Media Don Rozano Sigit Prakoeswa and Senior Advisor to the Minister for Persons in Need and Social Welfare Resource and Potential.