Indonesia is the only country from Southeast Asia that is a member of the G20. Not only that, Indonesia is also the first developing country to host the G20 Summit. Indonesia's leadership of the G20 must give color, especially by involving the youthJakarta (ANTARA) - Gaung Muda Indonesia, a follow-up forum to the G20 Youth Summit (Y20), was held this week to showcase innovative ideas from the youth and encourage their role in Indonesia’s G20 leadership.
"Indonesia is the only country from Southeast Asia that is a member of the G20. Not only that, Indonesia is also the first developing country to host the G20 Summit. Indonesia's leadership of the G20 must give color, especially by involving the youth," said co-chair of Y20 Indonesia, Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, according to a press release issued here on Saturday.
She made the statement while opening the forum in Solo on Friday (October 28, 2022) to follow up on the results of the agreement reached at the G20 Youth Summit, which was led by Indonesia this year, as well as to commemorate Youth Pledge Day.
The Y20 activity in Solo included the presentation of ideas by young finalists on ways to apply the results of the G20 and Y20 Indonesia in their respective communities, organizations, and regions. Panelists attending the session responded to, criticized, and provided inputs on the ideas.
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Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was a panelist on the topic of youth employment, said he hoped that the forum would provide space for the youth to develop relevant ideas in the global, local, and regional contexts.
Raka underlined the need for contributions from youth across Indonesia for strengthening the regional economy.
"Don't all youth go to Jakarta. There is a need to optimize the economic potential in the region. There must be ideas and innovations that empower the youth to be able to develop their regions as well," he said.
Meanwhile, on another occasion, the Deputy Governor of East Java, Emil Elestianto Dardak, lauded one of the ideas presented by the delegates “Sekoci: Sekolah Cinta Iklim.”
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He said he considers the idea important for raising public awareness on climate change. He even invited young initiators to collaborate with local governments in East Java.
"I will invite you to collaborate in East Java. I think this will have a huge impact, especially the issue of climate change and the sustainability of the planet is very important," he added.
In the meantime, the Mayor of Bogor, Bima Arya, highlighted the sustainability of the Gaung Muda Indonesia forum, which was initiated by young people.
"When I was young, I couldn't necessarily be like them. So, I think this event is good to increase the participation of young people in the success of the G20 agenda," he said.
The Gaung Muda Indonesia Y20 event in Solo was held to bring innovative leaders closer to young people with brilliant ideas in order to produce the next generation of young leaders as well as open up youth networks and collaborations between decision makers in the government and the private sector.
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Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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