The Indonesian government is facing the issue of holding a referendum on self-determination by Papua. At present the government has been working hard to defuse the heated situation, but we are also seeing the continuous roll-out of various actions aimed at provoking and endangering national unity. Pancasila University (UP) feels it has an obligation to remind all people of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Prof. Dr. Eddy Pratomo, SH, MA who is currently a Professor of International Law and also Head of the Institute for International Relations and Cooperation at Pancasila University (LHKI-UP), emphasized that international law does not allow a referendum to determine the self-determination of an already independent region. A referendum on self-determination is only permitted in the context of colonialism and this was carried out by Papua along with all other parts of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 1945. The desire for a referendum for Papua is no longer self-determination, but falls into the category of separatism.
Pancasila University (UP) has a responsibility to spread this understanding so that people are not influenced by opinions that are deliberately created to divide the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Chancellor of Pancasila University, Prof. Dr. Wahono Sumaryono, Apt. said that the University plays an important role through education to be able to foster a sense of love for the motherland. It is necessary to develop the character of students who are Nationalists and Pancasilaists. At UP, through the Pancasila Study Center (PSP), various studies and development of lecture methods are held in accordance with the dynamics of the current generation.
The Center for Pancasila Studies (PSP) designed various activities to facilitate this. Dr. Hendra Nurtjhajo, SH., M.Hum, as Chairperson of PSP UP said that, for example, to attract students' interest, a video was made with the theme "Pancasila in the eyes of the little people," namely what those who work as tea pickers, herbal medicine baskets, garbage collectors, etc. think about. Pancasila. In addition, PSP also held a Pancasila Character Building Workshop for students, and various scientific discussions. Currently PSP-UP is developing an instrument for measuring the Pancasila index. The hope of Pancasila education being developed at UP is that besides students being able to apply it to their daily lives, it is also to prevent the seeds of movements and issues of radicalism and separatism from getting a place among the younger generation.
Closing today's dialogue, Prof. Wahono Sumaryono expressed his gratitude to his media partners who have helped disseminate information, so as to straighten out the public's view of the issue of separatism. The Chancellor also appealed to all Pancasila University academics in particular and the Indonesian people in general not to be provoked by issues of separatism, not to foster prejudice between groups and to put national interests above personal and group interests.
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Pancasila University Public Relations
