Facing Technological Challenges: Strengthening National Unity through Pancasila
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Technological Challenges: Strengthening National Unity through Pancasila-This
country, the Republic of Indonesia, does not belong to any particular group,
religion, or ethnic group with customs and traditions. It is the collective
property of all Indonesian citizens, from Sabang to Merauke." The message
conveyed by Bung Karno serves as the foundation of Pancasila, which embodies
the national identity of Indonesia.
When formulating this statement,
Bung Karno had a clear vision of the nation's life, considering the diverse
backgrounds of the Indonesian people. Leading a nation with such ethnic,
religious, and cultural diversity is not an easy task. However, this diversity
is one of Indonesia's strengths that many other nations may not possess.
Bung Karno recognized the need for a unifying
force among the Indonesian people. There had to be a strong bond that would
unite them, regardless of their diverse backgrounds, in the name of the
Indonesian nation.
The Importance of Embracing
Pancasila amidst the Technological Buzz
Unbeknownst to us, we are
increasingly immersed in the bustling world of technology in our daily lives.
In carrying out our activities, we are almost inseparable from the gadgets we
possess, whether it be for work-related tasks or socializing with others.
The rapid development of
technology has made it easily accessible to the Indonesian society. This can be
seen in the frequent emergence of communication technologies with advanced
features that quickly attract a significant number of users.
With the growing reliance on
technology in our lives, one thing to be wary of is the irresponsible use of
technology, which can lead to the fragmentation of unity within our nation.
There have been numerous incidents that point in that direction. For instance,
the use of social media to spread radical teachings that have the potential to
harm the unity of our diverse nation, the ease with which individuals express
hatred towards others through social media platforms, and extreme actions such
as suicide bombings targeting places of worship.
These activities seem to be
spiraling out of control due to the ease of creating social media accounts,
coupled with the susceptibility of many members of our society to radical
ideologies. The government has taken action in response to these incidents.
However, the challenge lies in the fluid and dynamic nature of the
technological world. When the government tries to block certain troubling
social media accounts, new accounts of a similar nature will inevitably emerge.
It is important to remember that,
as discussed earlier, Pancasila serves as the unifying force of our nation.
From this perspective, we can see that any actions that threaten the unity of
our nation, including those facilitated by technology, are essentially an
affront to Pancasila. The five principles of our national foundation are not
mere empty phrases that adorn textbooks.
The Garuda Pancasila emblem is
not merely a mandatory decoration adorning the walls of every household.
Instead, we must realize that Pancasila unites the diverse elements of our
nation, even as we become increasingly familiar with the use of technology in
our lives. The more extensively technology is utilized, the more we should be
united with one another, as technology is fundamentally created to improve our
lives.
Equally important is the fact
that our national foundation consists of five principles. The number five
represents an odd number, and something classified as odd becomes more complete
when accompanied by an even number. Thus, the five principles of Pancasila
become more complete when we are able to complement them by behaving in
accordance with the implicit messages conveyed by each principle.
Today, there is a growing
skepticism towards Pancasila. The reason behind this is that, day by day,
Pancasila has seemingly failed to save Indonesia. However, it is not Pancasila
itself that is at fault but rather the imperfect implementation of Pancasila's
principles. Every national philosophy cannot be realized on its own; it must be
accommodated within a state system that
guarantees the realization of
that philosophy. This is where the importance of learning history comes into
play. Great nations always study their history to understand their national
character and determine the path they will lead their people towards.
Unfortunately, today we are not taught the history of our nation based on
democratic principles. Democracy has now become an industry, known as the
democracy industry. Why? Because it emerged during times of poverty among the
people. In reality, when the people have enough food, shelter, clothing,
economic stability, education, health, and legal protection, democracy will
naturally emerge gradually. But when democracy arises in times of hardship and
scarcity, it will be exchanged for mere basic needs.
Therefore, it is crucial to
revisit the essence of Pancasila as the guiding principle of our nation.
Pancasila represents the values that bind us together and ensure the harmonious
coexistence of a diverse society. It is not enough to merely recite the
principles; we must internalize and practice them in our daily lives. Pancasila
is not a stagnant concept; it is a living ideology that should guide our
actions and decisions as individuals and as a nation.
In order to address the
challenges posed by the rapid advancement of technology and its potential
negative impact on national unity, it is imperative to foster a sense of
responsibility and accountability in the use of technology. Education plays a
vital role in this regard. By promoting digital literacy, critical thinking,
and ethical behavior in the digital realm, we can mitigate the risks associated
with irresponsible technology use.
Furthermore, a comprehensive
approach involving the government, educational institutions, civil society, and
the private sector is necessary to tackle the issues arising from the misuse of
technology. This includes strengthening regulations to curb hate speech,
misinformation, and the spread of radical ideologies on social media platforms.
Collaborative efforts should be made to promote digital citizenship, promote
positive online discourse, and create safe online environments that foster
unity and tolerance.
By embracing Pancasila as the
guiding principle in the midst of the technological whirlwind, we can harness
the power of technology to strengthen national unity, promote inclusivity, and
foster a sense of belonging among all Indonesians. Pancasila provides us with a
solid foundation and a common identity, enabling us to navigate the
complexities of our diverse society while upholding the values of unity,
diversity, and social justice.
In conclusion, Pancasila remains
as relevant today as it was when it was first established. It serves as a
compass that guides us through the challenges of the modern world, including
the rapid advancements in technology. By embracing Pancasila and upholding its
principles, we can navigate the complexities of our diverse nation, preserve
our unity, and ensure a prosperous future for Indonesia and its people.