Peace for Ukraine Forum engages Indonesian Youth in critical dialogues on peacebuilding

Peace for Ukraine Forum engages Indonesian Youth in critical dialogues on peacebuilding

Today’s ‘Peace for Ukraine Forum’, hosted by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Indonesia, served as a dynamic platform engaging young Indonesian people in critical dialogues surrounding peacebuilding efforts globally. Coinciding with the Day of International Criminal Justice, the forum underscored the pressing need to protect people from war crimes and prevent actions that threaten the peace, security, and well-being of world’s citizens.

The forum brought together young academics, activists, and journalists, encouraging them to participate in in-depth discussions about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. With the aim to foster a global perspective among Indonesia's future leaders, the event amplified the voices of the younger generation and their contributions to peace and diplomacy.

The EU Ambassador to Indonesia, H. E. Vincent Piket said: "Today, we saw a powerful demonstration of the active role our youth can play in understanding pressing global issues and humanitarian crises such as the one in Ukraine. The Peace for Ukraine Forum amplified the voices of young people, and also empowered them with a global perspective on peace and justice. I was very much impressed by the depth of their engagement and the quality of the discussion."

The forum was also opened by remarks from the Ambassador of Ukraine to Indonesia, H. E. Vasyl Hamianin and United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, H. E. Valerie Julliand.

The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Vasyl Hamianin, said: "The 'Peace for Ukraine Forum' served as a powerful reminder of the importance of engaging youth in critical dialogues and fostering global perspective on peace-building efforts in Ukraine. Today's discussions reaffirmed my belief that together we can safeguard the world where justice prevails over war crimes, where real actions are taken to protect peace and stability, and where the voices of the young generation shape a democratic and prosperous future for everyone. We must remember that true peace means not only the absence of war but the presence of justice".

The UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, H.E. Valerie Julliand stated: “The reality for the people in Ukraine is tragic, hence the position of the UN on the war in Ukraine is very clear. We deplore the aggression of Russia against Ukraine. The UN General Assembly has adopted two resolutions demanding Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine. The war in Ukraine impacts much more than immediate victims. Ukraine being an important actor in global trade, the war has caused shortages in food and fuel, leading to food crises and increase of prices globally. The UN was created to do everything possible to maintain peace. Peace is not just the absence of war. Peace needs to be built, rebuilt and consolidated. This implies truth-telling, perpetrators of war crimes to be brought to justice, reparations for the people who suffer, and reconstruction.”

The forum was co-organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Ukraine in Indonesia, the Centre for European and Eurasian Studies, Universitas Airlangga, and youth political awareness platform, Youth Initiative for Political Participation. Through meaningful dialogues from multiple perspectives, the event promoted the fight against disinformation and provided attendees with a comprehensive and factual understanding of the war in Ukraine.

Interactive panel discussions were held on a range of topics to explore the complexities of the Ukrainian conflict and its implications for global peace:

• The first session titled 'How is Ukraine? A People-to-People Conversation' featured speakers Kris Mada, a journalist from Kompas, and Vanda Sakina, an Indonesian citizen, both of whom had first-hand experience of the war in Ukraine.
• This second session on ‘Media and Disinformation on the War in Ukraine', which had Radityo Dharmaputra, a researcher on Eurasian studies, and Ika Ningtyas, the Secretary General of the Alliance of Indonesian Journalists (AJI), as speakers.
• The final session, 'What can Indonesians do? From Youth to the World', presented the views of Abigail Limuria, Founder of the What is Up, Indonesia? media platform, and Safina Maulida, a youth activist of the Milk Tea Alliance Indonesia.

"With the Peace for Ukraine Forum the EU aims to promote debate among young people about global peace and justice and about the role youth plays in these. Young thinkers are drivers of change, we need to listen to them,” said Ambassador Vincent Piket.