For particular society, the concern on spirit of nationalism is sometimes viewed as a conservative attitude. However, in the context of the nation, this concern is indeed a fact that the credibility of Pancasila is being reduced and citizenship education is not popular anymore. "The cause may vary. However, the thing we ought to question is whether this phenomenon indicates that the future of our nation is being threatened?" M. As’ad Said Ali asked, Wednesday (19/5), at the UGM Senate Hall.
The Deputy Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) said this when he became keynote speaker of Pancasila Workshop entitled Nationalism and Nation Building Character. He said that since the reform, the community has been experiencing radical changes. Reform is seen as having led the Indonesian nation to an entirely new world, open and liberal, in the middle of a stream called globalization. It has not only changed the people tastes and lifestyles similar to what happened with other nations, but has also united orientation and culture toward one culture of the world (world culture). The unification and uniformity become even more intense, massive, and comprehensive day after day. That, according to Said Ali, is due to the physical and individual culture contact. "The medium is the communication and information media that can be accessed by anyone and anywhere. The character of the culture contact is massive, involving a large number of people," he said.
In his view, the development and influence of transnational capitalism are increasingly more robust and widespread, replacing state capitalism. In fact, in international diplomacy now emerged the so-called micro-diplomacy. All these developments affirm that the state is no longer the only entity that allows relationships between nations. “Relations between nations are becoming increasingly open. Community groups, even individuals, can do it. The question is, what has become of nationalism?" he said inquiringly.
Yet, he still has the optimistic attitude towards nationalism. As an awareness attitude, nationalism is not going to vanish as long as the nation-state exists, because their relationship is like a bone and flesh. Globalization, indeed, relativizes the boundaries between states (borderless), change the people tastes and lifestyles, and unite the cultural orientation towards a single world culture. "However, it would not eliminate the nation state. This is still needed by everyone, no matter how well the globalization is. In fact, it’s even needed by the exiles because everyone absolutely needs political and social identity," he added.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of UGM, Drs. Djoko Moerdiyanto, M.A., in his welcoming speech said that UGM through the Center for Pancasila Studies wants to lift the spirit of nationalism through the four pillars, namely the Board of Trustees, University Leadership, Council of Professors and the Academic Senate. Indonesia seems to require contributions from the four pillars to provide a collective intelligence. With the move, it is expected to raise well-being and produce an excellent character as well as uphold the human dignity. "From these gathering, we hope awareness and concern will arise toward the issues of nationality," said Djoko Moerdiyanto.