Indonesia’s sense of nationalism, despite having managed to keep a diverse range of peoples, cultures and beliefs together in a singular ark for nearly 80 years, remains largely superficial and full of paradoxes, according to analysts drawn from academia, civil society and the private sector.

As Indonesia prepares for its 77th Independence Day anniversary on Aug. 17, The Jakarta Post held a focus group discussion among Indonesians from different professional backgrounds to ponder where nationalism is headed amid the country’s growing problem of intolerance.

From the outset of the discussion, the speakers were acutely aware that the youth of today lead lives that are largely different from their own experiences, going beyond the notion that national boundaries dictate their civic duties and allegiances to the imagined community of Indonesia.

Source:
courtesy of THE JAKARTA POST

by Yvette Tanamal (The Jakarta Post)

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