Indramayu Youth Build Safe Spaces, Reflecting on the Meaning of National Heroes’ Day
Indramayu Jaya News Com-Several youth organizations and literacy communities in Indramayu collaborated to hold a panel discussion and launch of a Safe Space with the theme “Reflection on Heroes’ Day: Disaster or Victory?” on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Struggle Monument. This event featured speakers from various sectors, including the Indramayu Community Literacy Volunteers (Relima), the Indramayu Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Indonesian National Student Association (KNPI), the Indramayu Youth Generation (GEMUYU), representatives of Inklusi (Inclusion), and other youth organizations.
This activity was designed to encourage young people to reflect on the meaning of heroism in a contemporary context. Beyond simply commemorating the heroes’ struggles, the event emphasized that today’s youth must be prepared to become “modern heroes” by becoming productive individuals, possessing mental maturity, and understanding their role in building families and communities.
This movement also served as a momentum to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for a healthy and quality future, including encouraging a shared commitment to ending the practice of child marriage.
The event’s moderator, Faisal, opened the discussion by emphasizing that heroism is not just a thing of the past, but is always relevant in every era.
“Heroes are those who have contributed to the common good. And today, we too have the opportunity to be part of that struggle,” said Faisal.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Khoeri, M.Pd., a volunteer for Indramayu Community Literacy, emphasized the urgency of historical literacy as a foundation for preparing for the future.
“We can view Heroes’ Day as an effort to build collective awareness and historical literacy. From there, we learn the foundation for welcoming the future, through the struggles we undertake today,” he said.
From an inclusive perspective, Supriatin, Indramayu’s Inclusion Coordinator, emphasized that reflection on Heroes’ Day must be realized through the protection of the younger generation.
“There are many ways for young people today to reflect on Heroes’ Day, one of which is by creating safe spaces in public spaces. We must ensure that the younger generation is free from bullying, sexual violence, and juvenile delinquency,” he explained.
The Chairman of the Indramayu Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Indonesian National Youth Movement (KNPI), Hamzah Fansuri, emphasized that the title of hero is not merely a symbol, but also carries a moral message.
“The title of hero for Indonesian figures must be understood as their presence has influenced the past and impacted the present. We must ensure the nation continues to move in a better direction,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Indramayu Youth Generation, Abdul Mufid, emphasized that the values of the struggle must be translated into concrete actions, especially on humanitarian issues.
“Human rights, preventing child marriage, and protecting the vulnerable must continue to be practiced. These are good examples of emulating the heroes who have fought for the benefit of the wider community,” he said.
The activity concluded with the launch of the Safe Space, a symbol of collaborative work to create a welcoming environment that educates and protects young people. Participants agreed that being a hero today means being ready to build oneself, one’s family, and one’s community with full responsibility, maturity, and social awareness.
In the spirit of Heroes’ Day, it is hoped that the young generation of Indramayu will emerge as agents of change who are not only intelligent and productive, but also mentally mature and steadfast in safeguarding the nation’s future from the threat of child marriage and other social issues.
(Wari)
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