Jakarta, Kemendikbud—Realizing mental revolution requires a national movement at two socio-political levels, namely officials and the public as citizens. This idea emerged at the national cultural seminar themed 'New Paradigm of Indonesian Cultural Strategy' in Jakarta last October.
This seminar, featuring various speakers from different fields, concluded that change must be directed at both levels: how rulers become capable and courteous protectors and servants of the public, and how the people can become citizens who are protected, have their rights guaranteed, and are responsible for their environment.
This seminar also concluded that education plays an important role in realizing a mental revolution. Therefore, educational institutions are needed that can produce teachers with strong pedagogical insights, as well as design basic education by giving teachers a role as pedagogues. Teachers must be able to be friends who allow students to be close and familiar, and be able to provide inspiration with concrete examples.
The conclusion addresses the educational perspective conveyed by Sunaryo Kartadinata. He assesses that there has been a weakening of intellectual contributions, particularly concerning the cultivation of a constructive competitive spirit. Education has thus far seemed normative, failing to accommodate input from local culture.
From a law enforcement perspective, new recruitment methods are needed. Furthermore, to cultivate good and professional legal minds, this needs to be addressed from the start of legal education. A transition period of several months is required for legal higher education to place graduates into suitable career paths, such as lawyers, judges, or prosecutors.
In the cultural sphere, a more appropriate approach is needed to address the current socio-political issues. Educational efforts through cultural channels, such as instilling cultural values, can be nurtured through literary and artistic works. Therefore, it is necessary to facilitate the growth and development of literature and arts that not only possess high aesthetic value but also contextual ethics and morality.
The views of experts from various fields imply the importance of grounding the mental revolution not only at the level of ideas and mentality but also translating it into practical daily actions, so that it can truly transform Indonesian society to be superior and have character. (Aline Rogeleonick/Source: Balitbang/uploader: Erika Hutapea)
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