UNS – To commemorate Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta 44th anniversary the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNS held a national seminar on Saturday (15/02/2020) in Building 3 Hall FEB UNS. The national seminar raised the issue of character education, especially with regard to the millennial character in Indonesia.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Ir. Bondan Tiara Sofyan, M.Si (Director General of Defense Potential of the Ministry of Defense), M. Farid Sunarto, S.Pd, M.Si. (Head of Solo Bersimfoni), and Dr. Izza Mafruah, S.E., M.Si (Vice Dean of Academics) attended as speakers and Wahyu Hidayat, S.Sos., M. Sos as moderator.
The event is opened with an opening remark from the Dean of FEB, Prof. Drs. Djoko Suhardjanto, M.Com.(Hons)., Ph.D., Ak. In his remark, Prof. Djoko stated briefly on the importance of character education for the young generation. Before opening the event, he wished “Hopefully, this event will bring benefit and blessings for us, especially in our state life.”
The first speech is delivered by Prof. Bondan with the title of “Let’s Build Our State Defense Character.” The speech is opened with a description of the potential of Indonesia and a brief history of Indonesia’s struggle in fighting for independence. He also explained the post-independence condition of Indonesia. That the threat to the sovereignty of the country will continue to roll out such as the loss of several regions of the Republic of Indonesia and the threat of terrorism.
“The struggle of this country will continue, after the independence, Indonesia continues to be attacked from various sides. There are parties who want to divide this country,” said Prof. Bondan to the audience. Threats are not always in the form of the military but in various other tangible forms. One of the most dangerous threats is terrorism and radicalism. Many other countries have been divided as a result of regional and religious issues.
Proxy War, a war using the third party is one of the trends used to divide a country, one of which is by playing with the ideology. Pancasila and religious issues are a sweet target for the perpetrators to launch the action. But if we are more careful in examining Pancasila, this ideology is very good to be applied in Indonesia. From the start, Indonesia is built, the founding fathers have realized that this country has various races and not only one. That was why they tried to establish a composition of ideology that will be fair for all. It was proved from the revision of the first precept of the five precepts that are now agreed to be called Pancasila.
Besides describing the existing threats, Prof. Bondan also disseminating information on Indonesia’s current defense. One of which is the enactment of Law Number 23 of 2019 concerning the management of national resources for national defense. This law will regulate all matters regarding national defense.
Prof. Bondan stated that “Defending the country does not have to take up arms, but can with achievement. Make an achievement for Indonesia, make Indonesia and the university proud.”
The advanced era has advanced the methods for the indoctrination of radicalism. The information that easily entered through the internet has made the deterrence of radicalism to be developed in order to prevent its spread. M. Farid Sunarto, S.Pd, M.Si. as the head of Solo Bersimfoni conveyed the value of local culture that can be used to counter radicalism, especially for millennials. Through Solo Bersimfoni, M. Farid Sunarto, S.Pd, M.Si. and his friends established the local values under the name of Hasthalaku.
Hasthalaku consists of Tepa Slira (Solidarity), Lembah Manah (Humble), Andhap Ashor (Virtuous), Grapyak Semanak (Friendly), Gotong Royong (Helpfulness), Guyub Rukun (Harmony), Ewuh pekewuh (Mutual Respect), and Pangerten (Compassionate). All of these eight values are used as the basis for Solo in implementing its activities.
The community works together with the young people in Solo has programs that spread the values of tolerance to the community. One of the achievements from Solo Bersimfoni is the short video that helping others (donating blood) do not need to see the religion of the person that will get help. Besides that, Solo Bersimfoni also active in reaching out to the school to disseminate these values to students in Soloraya.
The final speech is delivered by Dr. Izza Mafruah, S.E., M.Si. on character education. There are four important dimensions that need attention in character education: ethics, literacy, aesthetics, and kinesthetic. All of these four can be trained by heart training, thought training, sense training, and exercising. If these training are performed well, a person will have a good character.
“Character education is long-life learning, everywhere, anytime, with anyone and with anything,” Dr. Izza Mafruah, S.E., M.Si concluding remark for the audiences. Humas/Ratri
