Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Andi Mallarangeng, hopes that the youth ready to welcome the establishment of ASEAN Community in 2015. In 2015, the ASEAN integration will be stronger in all sectors. On the other hand, the flow of goods, services and people between countries will also occur. Therefore, from now on the youth of Indonesia must prepare itself to compete with 500 million people in ASEAN.
"There are things to be prepared and done in the country, but the youth can work and compete with youth overseas," said Andi, when he gave a speech at the Youth Seminar, Retirement Ceremony and 70th Anniversary of Sociology Professor of Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Nasikun, at UGM UC, Monday (24/10).
Andi added that although some sort of gap would arise between the young people of Indonesia who are ready to compete abroad with the youth in the country, they should not let the connectivity between them cut off. Problems of distance and geography nowadays are no longer the barrier to progress in the modern and technology age.
"Don’t let the communication break between youths in Indonesia and those in foreign countries. Connectivity should still be maintained. At a minimum we are prepared to become leaders at the ASEAN level," Andi explained.
On that occasion, Andi Mallarangeng also mentioned the role of Indonesian youth that is desperately needed today. Indonesian youth must work in accordance with their respective responsibilities based on the spirit Youth’s Oath. The context of the struggle of the Indonesian youth, says Andi, also becomes increasingly complex, including participating in efforts to combat corruption.
"Engage not only in youth intellectual studies but also in efforts to combat corruption. Well, honesty cafeteria at the school is also an example of youth participation in anti-corruption movement," said Andi who is also an alumnus of the UGM Department of Sociology class of 1981.
At the event Andi had the opportunity to launch a book entitled Post-New Order Youth: Contemporary Portrait of Indonesian Youth, published by the Center for Youth Studies (YouSure) UGM. The book that contains 17 articles is symbolically handed over to Prof. Dr. Nasikun who is present on a wheelchair. Since 2007, Prof. Dr. Nasikun has been lying in bed because of stroke. He reached the age of 70 years on 28 October 2011. The event was also dedicated for his inspiration and dedication to science, especially sociology.
The event was attended by, among others, former UGM Rector Prof. Dr. Ichlasul Amal, M.A., Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mohtar Mas’oed, Dean Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., Prof. Dr. Djoko Suryo, Prof. Dr. Sunyoto Usman, M.A. as well as colleagues and students of Prof. Dr. Nasikun who came from different regions.