From Independence to Indonesia 2045: How Youth Leads Enhance Global Competitiveness?

The Proclamation of Independence marked a significant moment in Indonesian history, creating a spirit of freedom from colonial rule. Celebrated annually on August 17th, this moment symbolizes Indonesia’s identity as an independent, united, sovereign, just and prosperous nation. On September 28th 1950, Indonesia officially became the 60th member of the United Nations. This milestone in Indonesia’s independence brought a unique dimension to the global landscape and played a crucial role in inspiring various Asian and African nations to pave the way for the creation of a fair global world, through the Asian-African Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Aspirations, Human Development, and Indonesia’s Trajectory

Since gaining independence, Indonesia has navigated various developmental challenges. Despite global crises in the 2008-2009 recession, Indonesia maintained an impressive average economic growth rate of 5.7% annually from 2004 to 2014. This economic progress elevated Indonesia from being the 23rd largest economy in 2003 to the 16th largest globally by 2011. Building on this historical legacy, President Joko Widodo declared the “Indonesia’s Dreams 2015-2085” initiative, aimed at realizing the vision of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). After focusing more on infrastructure in 2014-2019, during his second term, President Joko Widodo shifted the country’s national development focus to enhancing Indonesia’s human capital.

In alignment with these aspirations, Indonesia’s Vision 2045 was formulated with four pillars, with one of the crucial pillars of its development being “Human Development and Mastery of Science and Technology.” By Indonesia’s 100th anniversary of independence in 2045, it is projected to become the world’s 4th largest economic power based on PPP GDP. Failing to achieve this vision, could risk stagnation in Indonesia’s social and economic progress. Considering this situation, in order to achieve Indonesia’s Vision 2045, human capital emerges as a crucial factor capable of driving growth across all sectors and types of businesses.

Despite Indonesia’s ambitious aspirations, the reality presents significant challenges in the context of human resources. In 2023, Indonesia’s human resource competitiveness in Southeast Asia–which has declined since 2019, was less prominent compared to neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. This is proven by the World Talent Ranking (WTR) report released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), a Swiss research institution, that in 2023, Indonesia scored 51.13 out of 100 points, ranked 47th out of 64 countries surveyed and 4th out of 5 among Southeast Asian countries. According to IMD, this ranking is based on three indicators: investment and development of home-grown talent, the extent for a country to tap into the overseas talent pool (appeal), and the availability of skills within the talent pool as an indicator of human resource readiness, which is closely related to the PISA Educational Assessment.

With over 60% of the population projected to be of productive age by 2030, the younger generation often viewed as the most influential stakeholders, holds considerable potential in Indonesia’s journey towards 2045. While traditional education certainly plays a critical role in advancing Indonesia’s ambition to become a developed nation, the equal emphasis is actually placed on strengthening values, character, and ethics. This includes developing collaborative skills, responsibility, respect, healthy competition, critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-confidence—all essential qualities for nurturing tomorrow’s leaders who embody Indonesia’s ethos of Gotong Royong (mutual cooperation) and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

The Key to Enhancing Indonesia’s Global Competitiveness

Given these current conditions, the relationship between Indonesia’s global competitiveness and the participation of its youth in international forums has become increasingly intertwined. When discussing competitiveness, the active involvement of Indonesian youth on the global stage plays an essential role. Engaging in international forums equips them with necessary global skills such as cross-cultural communication, a deep understanding of global issues, and improved negotiation abilities. The diverse global environment broadens their perspectives, empowering them to innovate and address local challenges creatively. These experiences collectively enhance their readiness for the competitive global job market and significantly contribute to Indonesia’s overall competitiveness.

More concretely, by participating and engaging in international agendas, Indonesian youth can expand networks with peers from other countries, creating opportunities for collaboration on international projects that can drive innovation and attract foreign investment beneficial to Indonesia. The active presence of the young generation in global forums also contributes to increasing the country’s positive branding and reputation. By showcasing its commitment to global cooperation and leadership in addressing shared global challenges, Indonesia can strengthen its position as an influential nation in the global community.

Youth Involvement in Amplifying Voices in Global Dialogue & Collaboration

It becomes imperative for young Indonesians to maximize their skills and interactions to create diverse collaborations and strategic partnerships globally. This prepares them to confront global challenges and contribute significantly to national development. Through international collaborations and diplomatic relations, today’s youth are envisioned as future agents, representatives, and leaders of Indonesia. This involves expanding international exposure and seizing global opportunities to advocate for, actively engage, initiate and be proactive in voicing their interests, discussing and sharing perspectives on national interests, and contributing to global dialogues and agendas, especially in addressing various current multidimensional issues.

Engaging in international activities does not diminish nationalism; instead, it leverages Indonesia’s contribution on the global stage. Cross-border interactions among youth from different backgrounds gives massive impact in human development by understanding global dynamics and local issues through interconnectedness. Eventually, they should be able to develop a global mindset—open, inclusive, critical, and adaptive to various cultures, perspectives, and practices worldwide. This creates a creative and resilient young generation capable of driving innovation and tackling complex global challenges. In practical terms, Indonesian youth can explore and engage in various international agendas and opportunities, such as conferences, competitions, discussions, seminars, student exchanges, and volunteer activities. They should prioritize connectivity, empathy, and sharing experiences with peers globally, while actively seeking opportunity for collaborative projects or agendas that contribute positively.

To conclude, encouraging strategic collaboration among Indonesia’s youth in a global context is pivotal for embracing diverse perspectives and achieving efficiency in tackling future challenges, particularly towards Indonesia’s aspirations for 2045. By cultivating a culture of reading, critical thinking, social engagement, and continuous exploration from an early age while embracing failure as part of growth, young Indonesians are urged to make impact through creative initiatives/projects, contribute to societal progress with innovative solutions, and generate fresh ideas that spark inspiration. These qualities are foundational for Indonesia Emas 2045—a leading nation propelled by a million advancements and novel breakthroughs.