We can learn much from what Soedjatmoko said 30 to 40 years ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian intellectual Soedjatmoko’s contemplations on human development still hold relevance in the modern age, the director general of culture at the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry, Hilmar Farid, has opined.
His thoughts should be reflected on now because they remain relevant for handling various issues such as economic disruptions and challenges, he remarked during the online unveiling of the Reading Soedjatmoko website on Monday.
“We can learn much from what Soedjatmoko said 30 to 40 years ago,” he affirmed.
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According to Farid, Soedjatmoko’s questions and thoughts on development start with a basic premise that development does not just relate to the economy or introduction to new technologies and businesses.
One of the most important criteria for human development, as per Soedjatmoko, is education that can open a person’s mind to make changes for the future, he noted.
In addition, education that provides a space for a critique of the past generation could open the people’s capability to review established structures and systems, he added.
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When it comes to education, Soedjatmoko also underlined the importance of scientists, he said.
“On various occasions, Soedjatmoko has emphasized the importance of investment in research for the development of science and education, especially higher education,” Farid added.
In Soedjatmoko’s view, Indonesia faces a very serious problem in catching up with other nations, especially advanced nations, he noted.
Thus, scientists can play a key role in the understanding of reality and they can recommend an accurate development strategy, he said.
Soedjatmoko also anticipated one popular theme in the modern age on knowledge-based policy, he added.
This theme concerns how development should be based on knowledge and correct analysis of reality to produce an accurate development strategy, Farid elaborated.
He further said that Soedjatmoko’s confidence in intellectual matters throughout his life left a deep impression on him.
On his 100th birth anniversary, Indonesia should be grateful to Soedjatmoko’s contribution in various fields, starting from culture, literature, social, economic development, science, and religion, he opined.
“We should remember that he never finished high education, so his knowledge was truly collected from his journey as an intellectual and politician,” he pointed out.
“The challenges that surrounded him are what truly guided his intellectual thoughts,” he added.
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