Cultural Diversity for Responsible Development

Nusa Dua - One of the most interesting topics discussed in the symposia which attracted the attention of the participants of WCF day 2, Wednesday, 12 October 2016, is that in symposium 6 entitled “Cultural Diversity for Responsible Development”. Three experts were brought as speakers to the stage, namely Din Syamsuddin (the Indonesian Council of Ulama Advisory Council Chairman), Ahmad Fedyani Saifuddin (Professor of Anthropology, University of Indonesia), and Moncef Ben Abdeljelil (Dean of Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, University of Sousse, Tunisia). It also featured AKP Mochtan (Deputy Secretary General of Community and Corporate Affairs, ASEAN) as discussant and Heddy Shri Ahimsa Putra as moderator.

Indonesia, a country of which the ideology is Pancasila and official motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) is blessed with a diverse society that accepts diversity. This was echoed by Din Syamsuddin, who appeared as the first speaker of the symposium. He stated that Indonesia is a model of a multicultural society since it consists of diverse languages and ethnic groups, as well as variety of religions where the followers of each religion live harmoniously side by side.

In Islam, Din explained, Qur’an already mentions that the creation of human, male and female, in various races, languages, religions, are to know one another. The message doesn’t just stop there, according to this Muhammadiyah’s outgoing chairman, because the diversity in the world would not work if only just knowing each other, but must be followed by ta’awun or to help each other. Therefore, he urged all the participants of the WCF 2016 to enliven the diversity by sharing with each other, whether in knowledge, work, welfare, and peace. By doing those actions, he believed that cultural diversity in the world can support not only a sustainable development but also a responsible one.

Moncef Bin Abdeljelil supported Din’s statement. In his presentation Moncef explained that diversity is not just a matter for discussion, but must be implemented significantly to support a responsible development. He cited Iranian Fazlurrahman’s opinion that diversity should be enlightening.

Ahmad Perwira Mochtan, as Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs stated that ASEAN fully supports every activity which is aimed to develop diversity in ASEAN countries. Through this support, it is expected young people can take a larger role in the realization of the goal.

Related to this, Ahmad Fedyani Saifuddin, Professor of Anthropology of University of Indonesia explained that there are many things that cause failure to the practice of diversity in the world, but the role played by young people can beat it all. Because young people are hope.

The speakers very appreciated the organization of the discussion forum in WCF 2016. They hoped that WCF would not stop only at discussion level, but must be implemented in the real world, for the development of a sustainable world. (Nur Azizah/Penni Patmawai)