Rector: Local Wisdom plays an important role in Papua's development
Ciputat, UIN News Online – Local Wisdom plays an important role in Papua's development. Papua's cultural richness is present in the form of hundreds of ethnicities with their respective languages and unique cultures.
This was said by the Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis in her speech during webinar entitled “Peran Kearifan Lokal Masyarakat Papua dalam Pembangunan” organized by the Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH) UIN Jakarta on Tuesday (08/31/2021).
“We must consider this in establishing various policies that are beneficial to the Papuan people,” said Rector.
The use of local wisdom, she explained, could actually have been taken during the national political reforms that pushed the implementation of autonomy for the regions, especially Papua. In addition to budgeting policies, autonomy allows cultural accommodation in various development policies.
“This should continue to be optimized in the context of Papua's development,” she said.
Besides Amany Lubis, this webinar also invited the Rector of IAIN Fattahul Muluk Idrus Alhamid, IAIN Sorong academic Ismail Suardi Wekke, Head of Jayapura Education Office Christian Sohilait. Ustadz Saiful Islam Payage of the Papuan Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Marshal of the Indonesian Air Forces, Tri Bowo Budi Santoso and Papuan Activist Farida Klasin as resource persons.
Regarding the development of Papua, Christian Sohilait said that education is one sector that continues to be developed in order to provide opportunities for the local young generation to access formal education. Currently, Papua has 2,400 elementary schools, 600 junior high schools, 230 senior high schools, 180 vocational high schools, 26 private universities and three state universities.
Nevertheless, Christian revealed, that Papua still has several obstacles in the education sector that must be resolved. Among them, the lack of human resources, inadequate facilities and infrastructure, lengthy regulations, and the lack of environmental support.
“Several groups of people have closed many schools for certain reasons,” he said.
Therefore, he continued, Papua needs the support from many parties to formulate an integral approach and appropriate educational innovation.
Saiful Islam Payage added, in addition to development in various sectors of education, culture, and politics in Papua, the government also needs to support the growth of noble values in society. Bureaucracy and government officials are required to become a role model for the community.
“A good and honest government system is an example that the people of Papua can emulate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Frida Klasin revealed that environmental damage in the Papua region is an important factor in the emergence of community disappointment to the government. In addition to natural wealth, the forests and oceans in Papua are a source of local wisdom that they must protect. If left unchecked, this will disrupt the cultural ecosystem.
“Indigenous people in Papua have the right to live on their land and cultural areas. Until now, their culture has created a society without any marginalized groups,” said Frida. (usa/zm/rk)