Character is key to making a nation great, scholars say

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 05/06/2010 10:29 AM

Character-building is an important aspect of developing a nation, and is an area Indonesia needs to focus on in its education, politics and business sectors, an education seminar heard on Wednesday.

“Great countries build on the strength of character,” former environment minister Sarwono Kusumaatmaja said at the seminar organized by Outward Bound Indonesia.

Sarwono said absurdity was abound in nations of weaker character.

Several negative character traits undermined development in Indonesia, said Komaruddin Hidayat, a speaker from Jakarta’s State Islamic University.

“Envy is rife among Indonesians — they do not like to see other people happy,” he said, relating this to violence and fatal clashes.

The thoughts of German philosopher Immanuel Kant could benefit Indonesia, Komaruddin said, citing several examples.

“Freedom is a value that must be maintained,” he said.

“We also need to believe there is an afterlife,” he said.

Komaruddin said faith was important because it led to responsibility.

“If people do not believe there is life after death, they tend to think good deeds are not important.”

He also said values led to character building.

“There should be a moral code that everyone follows,” he said.

Willy Suwandi Dharma of Adira Insurance, who spoke on character building in business, said over the next five years character building would be important for Indonesia because of the global economic recovery and the large number of young working people here.

“The Indonesian economy will develop over the next five years. One of the reasons for this will be the recovery of global economy,” he said.

In the next few years Indonesia would see an increase in regional trade, including through the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, Willy said.

In a world of tough global competition, the business sector in Indonesia also needed character, he said.

“We need to think about which direction we want our businesses to go.

“We must decide our business vision, mission, area of business, ethics and values,” he said.

Willy also recommended several values for good corporate governance.

“There should be transparency or disclosure to all stakeholders,” he said.

Other values included accountability, compliance with the law, regulations, community values, independence and fairness.

“Indonesia has a lot of homework to do without a correct political agenda,” said J. Kristiadi from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

“Power is thrilling and appealing,” he said.

“Without control, authority will not only monopolize power but also the truth,” he said.

Kristiadi said the strengthening of political dynasties and oligarchy had caused him great concern.

“This is not unique to the central government but also affects regional administrations,” he said.

The worrying state of Indonesia’s political character could only be mended through education programs targeting several areas including morale and character-building, political citizenship and nationalism, Kristiadi said.

“These three elements should be integrated into other education programs,” he added. (map)