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.
