Megawati Calls on the World to Reaffirm Commitment to Children's Rights and Future

February 5, 2025 | 04:29 pm

NATIONAL INFO - The Fifth President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, has called upon the world to reaffirm its commitment to the rights and future of children. She emphasized the need to ensure that every child grows up healthy, receives proper education, and lives free from fear. According to her, investing in children's well-being is an essential step toward building a just and prosperous world.

Megawati made this statement while speaking at the World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights at the Vatican, Rome, Italy, on Monday, February 3, 2025. The event, attended by numerous global leaders, policymakers, and child advocacy groups, served as a platform to discuss urgent challenges affecting children worldwide. "We must build mutual trust and work together to fulfill their rights, creating a world where every child can grow up healthy, educated, and free from fear," she said in her speech.

She specifically urged world leaders to pay close attention to the pressing issues of climate change and digitalization, two factors she believes will significantly shape the future of children. Additionally, she proposed Pancasila as an ideology that instills values of tolerance and mutual cooperation among children worldwide. She emphasized that fostering these values from an early age would help create a more united and harmonious global society. "Education should not only focus on academic achievements but also on developing a child's character, empathy, and sense of responsibility toward the environment and fellow human beings," she added.

According to Megawati, climate change poses a significant threat to the survival of humanity and the planet. "I have previously discussed global warming with the Holy Father, as he has also expressed his deep concerns about this global issue," she stated. She underscored the urgent need for collective action, emphasizing that world leaders must work together to mitigate the effects of climate change to secure a sustainable future for children. She further stressed that environmental education should be integrated into school curriculums to raise awareness among young generations about the importance of preserving the earth.

The Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) highlighted that Indonesia strongly believes in embedding Pancasila values in shaping national identity and character. She stressed that by instilling these principles globally, children could develop into compassionate and responsible leaders who understand the importance of cooperation over conflict. "In an era where digitalization is rapidly transforming society, we must ensure that technology serves as a tool for progress rather than a source of division or exploitation," she noted, urging governments to enforce stronger regulations on child protection in the digital space.

"They will be the future leaders navigating a complex and diverse world while upholding the principles of humanity, equality, and justice," Megawati asserted. She encouraged nations to promote digital literacy and responsible internet use among children, ensuring they are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world while being protected from cyber threats and misinformation.

She also quoted Indonesia’s first president and her father, Soekarno, who believed that education empowers children to dream without limits. "Bung Karno once advised Indonesian youth: ‘Hang your dreams as high as the sky. If you fall, you will fall among the stars in the vast universe.’ He also famously said: ‘Give me ten youths, and I will change the world,’" she recounted. She used these words to emphasize the boundless potential within every child when given the right opportunities and support.

Megawati expressed her hope that global commitments to safeguarding children's rights would serve as a unifying path for all nations. She reiterated that children are the rightful heirs of the future of the entire planet, and it is the responsibility of world leaders to protect and nurture them. She urged governments, organizations, and communities worldwide to take concrete steps in ensuring that children receive the love, care, and support they need to become responsible citizens who contribute to global peace and prosperity.

"To them, all world leaders must pledge to create a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world—one that belongs to all of humanity without discrimination," Megawati concluded, calling for collective action and solidarity in achieving this goal. She emphasized that prioritizing children's rights is not just an ethical obligation but a necessity for a brighter and more inclusive future. (*)

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