Paving the Way for Diversity

We can only beat terrorism by sowing the seeds of diversity. Therefore, surely it is important to support all efforts of teaching tolerance and empathy to others through education and awareness campaigns.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

Achmad Zaky

As someone who works among talented young people in the ever-progressing creative economy, I always look at Indonesia’s future with optimism. In my sector, for instance, experts predict that Indonesia will one day equal China as one of the world’s largest e-trading giants. In the bigger picture, experts also predict that Indonesia’s economy will continue to grow and become the world’s seventh largest in 2030 and the fourth largest in 2050.

The series of bombings in Surabaya on May 13 and 14, followed soon by assaults on police personnel across the country, have reopened my eyes to fact that huge struggles remain ahead for Indonesia to truly become an advanced, empowered and prosperous nation. We still have a long way to go. All optimistic predictions may be rendered meaningless if forces of hate find their way to destroy the fabric of Indonesia’s nationhood.