Guest Lecture Calls for Revival of Pancasila Among Youth in Digital Era
November 23, 2024
Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Virda Lalitya Umam
Depok, November 18, 2024 – Prof. M. Amin Abdullah delivered a powerful guest lecture at UIII Faculty of Education, emphasizing the urgent need to reconnect Indonesian youth with the principles of Pancasila. The lecture, titled “Indonesia’s Philosophy of Pancasila: The Challenges for the Youth Amidst Cultural Shift and Globalization,” was part of the ‘Education and Equity’ course taught by R. Alpha Amirrachman, Ph.D., and Prof. Nina Nurmila.
Prof. Dr. M. Amin Abdullah is a renowned Indonesian Muslim scholar, philosopher, scientist, and hermeneuticist. He served as the Rector of Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University in Yogyakarta for two terms (2005–2010) and held prominent roles in the Muhammadiyah organization, including as Deputy Chairperson of its Central Leadership.
In his lecture, Prof. Amin expressed deep concern over the growing detachment of Indonesian youth from Pancasila, the philosophical foundation of the nation. He pointed to statistics, such as a survey by the Setara Institute that found over 83% of high school students believe Pancasila is not a permanent national ideology. “This reflects a generation that has become strangers to their own identity,” he lamented, attributing the phenomenon to decades of neglect in Pancasila education and the influence of the digital era.
The professor explained how the transition from the New Order to the Reformation era led to a decline in Pancasila’s prominence in educational curricula. Over two decades of insufficient emphasis on the philosophy have left many young people unfamiliar with its core principles, including ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ (Unity in Diversity). The result, he argued, is a growing susceptibility among youth to divisive ideologies, hate speech, and identity politics propagated through unregulated cyberspace.
To address this alarming trend, Prof. Amin called for a comprehensive revival of Pancasila education. He applauded recent initiatives by the National Board of Pancasila Ideology (BPIP) and the Ministry of Education and Culture to reintroduce Pancasila in schools and universities. These efforts include updated curricula that blend philosophical principles with practical applications. However, he emphasized that more needs to be done to make Pancasila resonate with the younger generation.
According to Prof. Amin, educators must go beyond traditional methods and leverage innovative approaches to teaching Pancasila. “It’s not enough to teach Pancasila as a set of abstract ideals,” he said. “We need to connect it to the lived experiences of young people, showing how its values can guide their decisions in navigating the challenges of globalization and digitalization.”
He also underscored the role of parents, community leaders, and digital influencers in reinforcing Pancasila’s principles outside the classroom, while calling on policymakers to prioritize social equity and inclusivity, ensuring that national development aligns with the ideals of justice and unity enshrined in Pancasila.
The lecture served as a wake-up call for the students and faculty in attendance, inspiring renewed commitment to revitalizing Pancasila education and making it a cornerstone of Indonesia’s identity. Through hosting lectures like these, UIII demonstrates its dedication to nurturing students’ critical engagement with issues of diversity, national identity, and social equity, making significant contributions to Indonesia’s educational landscape.