20 ASEAN Youth Ambassadors Actively Promote Indonesia's Social Welfare Program

JAKARTA (October 13, 2019) - The Indonesian government, especially the Ministry of Social Affairs, has an interest in promoting various social welfare development agendas in the ASEAN region. Through the ASEAN Youth Ambassador, the Ministry of Social Affair’s promotion and education program will be more effectively received among ASEAN communities.

"Through the ASEAN Young Ambassadors, the Ministry of Social Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs educates and explains to the ASEAN community how challenges and opportunities in the development of community social welfare," said Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Hartono Laras, in his remarks at the event "Mainstreaming the Concept of ASEAN Cooperation: Car Free Day - 2019 ASEAN Young Ambassadors", in the Car Free Day area, Jakarta, Sunday (13/10/2019).

This event is one of a series of orientation activities for the 20 DMAI 2019 Finalists. Here, the finalists provide counseling / disseminate information to the people of Jakarta during Car Free Day.

In collaboration with the two ministries, the 20 young people also campaigned for the tasks and functions of the Ministry of Social Affairs, in this case the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence against Children on Car Free Day, today.

The 20 DMAI 2019 Finalists raised awareness to the public through an interactive question and answer process, quizzes, games, and so on. They distributed goodie bags to the community that had been raised awareness and understanding of ASEAN.

Present from the Ministry of Social Affairs at this event were, among others, Head of the Planning Bureau Adhy Karyono, Secretary of the Education, Research and Social Counseling Agency Harapan Lumban Gaol, Head of the Social Counseling Center Hasyim, Director of Social Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Margo Wiyono, and Director of Social Rehabilitation of the Elderly Andi Hanindito.

In his remarks, Hartono added, in its development ASEAN is supported by three pillars, namely the political and security pillar, the economic pillar, and the socio-cultural pillar. "From the socio-cultural pillar, by working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs can participate in increasing the awareness and understanding of ASEAN communities, related to social welfare development," said the Secretary General.

The relevance of promoting Indonesia's agenda, including the social agenda, he said, is increasingly relevant in line with Indonesia becoming chair of ASEAN in 2023. To succeed in the agenda, the support of the wider community is needed. "Thank you to the Directorate of Social Culture of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs," Hartono said.

Hartono added that the three ASEAN pillars work together to realize the vision of the ASEAN Community 2025, which is united, inclusive, resilient, highly competitive, innovative, dynamic, sustainable, and involves the community in the process and ensures that ASEAN can always bring maximum benefits to the community.

In an effort to raise public awareness, Hartono emphasized that the dissemination method is the most appropriate. "As the first layer of Indonesia's foreign policy, decisions in ASEAN can affect the lives of Indonesians and vice versa, both directly and indirectly," he said.

In addition, the 20 DMAI 2019 Finalists along with DMAI alumni from previous years who are spread throughout Indonesia, also help the Ministry of Social Affairs provide counseling and disseminate various Ministry of Social Affairs programs in various regions in Indonesia as needed.

As is known, 30% of the total ASEAN population as a whole consists of youth, where most of the youth come from Indonesia. In the millennial age and the rapid development of information technology as it is today, providing counseling and disseminating information can no longer use conventional methods alone.

The younger generation has its own culture, manner of communication and language style, so that messages can be more easily received by the wider community. Therefore, empowering the 20 DMAI 2019 Finalists during Car Free Day on October 13, 2019 and in the regions is seen as an effective way to convey information to the intended audience, especially young people, the next generation of the Indonesian nation.


Acting Head of Public Relations Bureau RI Ministry of Social Affairs
Sonny W. Manalu