“The Power of Culture to Create a Better Future”

That's my essay that I’ve sent for International Essay Contest for young people 2013. It’s organized by the Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO Endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, Japan Private High School Federation, Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Nikkei Inc. Supported by FELISSIMO CORPORATION and now the winners have already announced! 

I didn't win hehehe but it doesn't matter because at least I’ve registered as one of participants from among 15,105 entries from 157 countries. But actually I was shocked when I read other contestants essays. I thought I have to improve my imagination and also my ability to write (lol)

At least I've tried in my last minute as youth (cry) because next year I won't be able to participated, this is my first experience and also my last chance (smile).

Herewith my essay…

Please enjoy reading it even it is not as good as a professional writer.  (^.^)~ OrieNz

“The Power of Culture to Create a Better Future”

This world is very rich of culture. We cannot count one by one because there are millions even more cultures that exist in this world. Surely every part of the world has its own culture and it seems like culture become an inseparable part of the nation, even regions. For example is Indonesia.

In Indonesia there are so many islands starting from Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, etc. up to Papua. In every island it has so many regions. It means that Indonesia is very rich of cultures. Culture itself includes arts, traditions, values, wisdom, customs, etc. some kinds of Indonesian cultures are traditional dances, foods, songs, musical instruments, etc. But the most values that make me proud of Indonesian cultures are friendly and helpful. Indonesian people are famous of its friendly and helpful characters.

There would be no ending if people talk about Indonesian cultures. Because honestly I, myself don’t really know the details of another Indonesian regions culture, I just mostly know about my own region (Sunda – West Java culture) because so many cultures here. But I’m proud to be Indonesian people, especially to be Sundanese because as Sundanese I learn many values to respect everyone, especially our parents. Sundanese Cultures is a culture that upholds manner. Generally they have characters such as gentle, warm-hearted, always smiling, great respect to the elderly, good-humored, etc. Even it depends on the person but most of Sundanese characters are like the mention above. In Sunda, we were taught to speak smooth to older people. That’s why we have “Undak Usuk Basa Sunda (Sundanese Language Etiquette)” almost as the same as Japanese Language and another language has. Indirectly by smooth talking to an older person it means that we are being polite to them and indicates that we appreciate them. That’s the point that makes me pride in.

Then, the question is, how can Youth make the most of them to create a better future? By adopting Sundanese culture, we can apply that if we teach and exemplify youth generation to respect and appreciate others, they can create a better future. Because by respect and appreciate others is the beginning of support each other, understand each other and opened (can receive advice, feedback and criticism from others) and of course they can make this world peaceful. That’s the key to create a better future.

The point is even we are very rich of culture and have different culture but we are one. We live in the same world, we breathe the same air, and we have the same sky. So it is not necessary and no need to be selfish. Let’s make a difference of culture as a force, as a power to create a better future with respect each other, create a peaceful life and take and apply positive values from another region/country’s culture to make this world as a better future for us and for the next generation.