Notes of Life

(Published in HighEND Teen April 2012) Inspired by her journalist mother Anggi Nurqonita always writes what she sees, listens and fells every time. She was just six year old when she was selected as the winner, as well as favorite winner in the national writing competition to commemorate Indonesian "Mother's Day"

In second grade, her family moved to Thailand following her father's job. There, her writtings improved greatly because Anggi saw and experienced in person the real life in Thailand which introduced her to strict discipline.

She is the kind of person who is always curious and interested in everything so she's accustomed to write down her experience and send them to magazine and newspapers. "I'm so glad and proud when I see my writing appeared in one of magazine or newspaper article" says Anggi.

Her many Fascinations
Writing isn't her only fascinations. Since she was a child, her mother always directed her to learn various dances and musical instruments, enrolling her in competitions and events to boost her confidence. In Thailand she joined and won several international competitions. She performed solo on "ON Environmental Day" as a ballerina and represent Indonesian Youth traditional dancer in " Asian Institute of Technology Community School".

Returning to Indonesia, this first of three children joins environmental organization, like TCPI (The Climate Project Indonesia) and Simponi (Sindikat Musik Penghuni Bumi). Last year, her writing scored her a place in Indonesian Delegation to participate in the Asia-Pacific Environmental Youth Forum "Bundang Civil Solidarity for Environment" in Gyeonggi, Korea.

There Anggi, with her team brought up some environmental issues that have been often spoken about nowadays. She has a deep concern with the condition of Indonesia nowadays. "We can see now, everywhere there is environmental damage, so as part of youth, what we do for the future,"explains Anggi."It can be something simple that you can do, but fully advantageous for nature and environment."

Act globally, speak locally

[Published in The Jakarta Post-Youthspeak, 12 December 2011] I attended the Asia Pacific Environmental Youth Forum, Gyeonggi - Korea, in August, where young people from six countries gathered. Trough seminars and discussions about climate change in the region, I learned some countermeasures and how to deal with it.

The event worked to build awareness about what young people often take for granted: food, water, energy and ecology. The activities included field visits, among which was to Korea’s wetlands.

But really impressed me from the forum was that all of the countries present has the national language and their original writings (script), Japan , Thailand - Vietnam - Korea and Taiwan except Indonesia.


In this globalized world, I believe we must be familiar with English, the most spoken international language. But the Japanese Delegation never spoke in English. They made their presentation in Japanese, which that proud of their national tongue? If the answer to the last question is yes, then it is contrary to what many Indonesians believe.

In my school, student with fluent English are considered extraordinary and in my neighborhood they are known as great, smart kids. Artist who speak english well are said to be professionals and they gain fanatic fans. We greet foreign guests in English, discouraging them from even learning Indonesian. And why is that, again?

I am not sure, about the answer to that question. but seeing the five countries which all fit into the category of developed countries, I could say that a great country where people take pride in their owm language.

There is nothing wrong with learning international languages such as English and Mandarin from early childhood, which is trend now, but we should not miss what important. We should first understand and appreciate our own traditions cultures and languages.

We just commemorated Youth Oath Day on October 28, the day when eight decades ago young Indonesians pledged to unite as one nation and use Indonesian as its lingua fanca. As a youth I just want to just remind my peer that we may act "globally", but speak locally to continue to strengthen national identity amid the shrinking world.