Pancasila is an important state asset that serves not just as a constitution, but also bind the pluralistic nation.
This was stated by Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno LP Marsudi, when becoming keynote speaker in the 10th Pancasila Congress on Thursday(23/8) in the UGM Senate Hall.
Retno said Indonesia has many assets to be proud of such as the largest Muslim population, the world’s third democracy, and diversity, in addition to Pancasila which is an extraordinary asset.
“Pancasila is truly a state asset for a country as diverse as Indonesia. We use this asset to continue the commitment for the national spirit and the world,” she said.
In her opinion, Indonesia would not be where it is now without Pancasila. Indonesia’s diplomacy would not stand firm alongside world communities without Pancasila. So, Minister Retno asked all Indonesian citizens to always nurture Pancasila.
“Pancasila guards the nation and keeps us away from conflict. Hence, let’s nurture Pancasila for the glory of Indonesia,” she concluded.
Chairman of 10th Pancasila Congress, Prof. Djagal Wiseso Marseno, in his report explained this time the Congress raised the theme Pancasila, Ideology that Unites Nation and World. The event is run due to concerns that Pancasila as the state ideology has faced challenges both internally and externally.
A study by the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) showed that in the past seven years since 2010, Indonesia’s state resilience has ranked low while externally foreign ideology has infiltrated at a worrying level.
This was showed by a study saying that 23.5% of students agreed on ISIS, 16.8% disagreeing Pancasila as state ideology, while 17.8% agreeing the establishment of a khilafah.
“What’s more shocking was that 23.4% of students were ready for a jihad to establish a khilafah state,” he said.
Therefore, UGM hosts the Pancasila Congress from 23-24 August that is expected to be able to produce formulation and recommendation for the state. The event has five themes: Indonesia’s role for world peace, universal side of Pancasila in world’s perspective, religion and Pancasila values, higher learning role in Pancasila, and Pancasila and the young generation. The Congress presented speakers such as Mahfud MD, Anhar Gonggong, national and international experts, rectors and former rectors joining Forum Rektor Indonesia, UGM student executive body, and figures from the young generation.