Jakarta, October 28, 2022 – In line with the 2022 Year of Tolerance agenda, Special Staff to the President Ayu Kartika Dewi (“Ayu”) conducted a working visit to Central Sulawesi Province, specifically Poso Regency and Palu City. The visit aimed to foster dialogue and hold audiences on tolerance and peacebuilding initiatives with strategic partners, including local governments, youth groups, community organizations, and local residents. During the visit, Ayu signed the Diversity Charter (Piagam Keberagaman) in Pinedapa Village, Poso, alongside community and village leaders to reinforce local peacebuilding efforts. She also held an audience with the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government, attended the Youth Pledge Day commemoration, and presented the 2022 Year of Tolerance awards.
While in Poso, Ayu met with representatives from local youth communities to strengthen their networks as peace advocates and listen to their perspectives, concerns, and innovative ideas on promoting tolerance and peace. Ayu expressed hope that the session would not only generate fresh concepts but also create collaborative opportunities with stakeholders to translate those ideas into impactful, actionable programs.
Special Staff to the President Ayu Kartika Dewi stated, “One word that captures tolerance in Poso is hope. We cannot deny the profound sense of loss left by past conflicts. Today, however, I see extraordinary progress, driven by various stakeholders working together to weave and strengthen the ties of peace.”
“I extend my gratitude to all peacebuilders across Central Sulawesi—from the provincial and regency governments to local communities and grassroots society—who have dedicated themselves to upholding tolerance and acting as catalysts for peace in the region,” Ayu concluded.
Ayu also visited Pinedapa Village in Poso Regency, a community known for its high level of diversity, where two major religions (Islam and Christianity) and 24 ethnic groups coexist harmoniously. Pinedapa was among the villages severely impacted during the past communal conflicts, which forced residents into displacement camps. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the villagers united in mutual assistance, enabling them to leave the camps and return to rebuild their village ahead of others.
During the meeting, Village Head Mardianus Ndele and Customary Leader (Ketua Adat) Mujito Ndudu shared the community’s journey in rebuilding their lives post-conflict. The gathering was also attended by Muslim, Christian, and women community leaders. In recognition of the community’s dedication to sustaining peace, Ayu signed the Diversity Charter alongside youth representatives, the Village Government, and civil society elements as a shared commitment to preserving the nation’s social fabric.
Coinciding with the Youth Pledge Day commemoration, Ayu met and directly commended the winners of the 2022 Year of Tolerance competition in Palu. The awards recognized junior and senior high school students in the “Diversity” essay competition, as well as the winning teams of the Public Policy Hackathon themed “Public Policy for a Peaceful Indonesia.” The winning ideas were subsequently presented directly to officials from the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government.
Governor of Central Sulawesi, H. Rusdy Mastura, remarked, “I am proud of the many young people and tolerance advocates in Central Sulawesi who are steadfastly committed to defending diversity. As the pillars of our nation’s future, the youth must remain intelligent and united. We hope to support the implementation of the innovative policy ideas presented by the civil servant (ASN) winners of the Public Policy Hackathon to create a more peaceful Central Sulawesi.”
Concluding the working visit, Ayu joined the Cyber Peace Ambassadors (Duta Damai Dunia Maya), a partner initiative of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), to share insights on youth engagement in safeguarding diversity and countering radicalism, encouraging young people to actively nurture tolerance and combat extremism.
For more information about Ayu’s ongoing initiatives in shaping a better Indonesia, visit www.instagram.com/merancang.id.
