Mentoring Indonesia

The main bulwark we are facing now, is the inadequacy of human resources. Indonesia, though by number is the fourth largest country in the world with an abundance of natural resources from its maritime, mining, gas, agriculture, etc, has not yet been able to become a well developed country.

The key bulwarks are the lack of access to education/information and the people’s mindset. We have settled for meagerness and mediocrity. We merely survive without striving to be the best. This could happened for we are lulled by the ease of the era and our natural resources so that we become dormant. In addition, the lack of access to education/information makes us counterproductive.

The strength of a nation lies on the quality of the human resources. Soon, Indonesia will possess a demographic bonus when the population of the productive age bracket defeats the population of the elderly and the children. Therefore, I believe if each individual is in his/her strength and skill zone, s/he will become part of an optimal generation which can build a great nation. In order to achieve this, we have to do it innovatively by engaging in programs to seek  solutions for the nation’s well being.

In history, Indonesia’s struggle for Independence was incited by young people who had the heart to contribute for the country. They were Soekarno, Mohammad Hatta, Mohamad Yamin, etc. Not only were they well educated, they were skillful and insightful. Yet, their superiority was inseparable from the help of a mentor. HOS. Tjokroaminoto - a mentor to Soekarno iis one example. 

Nowadays in Indonesia, the youths are apathetic towards the ruler and the government of the country. They lose hope and trust because too many members of the government are not credible, and some of them are corrupt. Therefore they need to see a good example of leaders/mentors that can change the way they think and start to be the change themselves.

Therefore, mentoring plays a great role as a platform to share, inspire and empower Indonesia’s youth to be change makers, to strengthen civil society and to seek innovative solutions for the nation’s well being. The mentor and their mentee will collaborate in a mentoring session according to their strengths, ideas, potentials, professionalisms, idealisms, etc. It will focus on the quality and growth of human resources, especially for the youths whom will soon have professional knowledge and depth of skills.

There are several criteria for both the mentor and the mentee. A mentor, an expert on their fields, has done much for the benefits of their community. They must have the heart and passion to help and educate the youths to have a better understanding and knowledge to pursue their goals and future endeavor. On the other hand, a mentee possesses leadership potentials, a passion to contribute and to act for the sake of their country by developing their skills and knowledge, and finally are committed to ‘pay it forward’ by being a mentor too someday. 

Mentoring sessions will help them increase their awareness and influence by empowering and developing the Indonesian youths. As a result, mentoring will create future leaders of the country that can bring innovative solutions and policy to build a stronger democratic nation.