A Message?

Happy Ramadhan..

Ramadhan Mubarak!!... :)

About Our Seminar...

Last week, our national seminar on Multicultural Society in Indonesia and America was successfully held. It was at the same time as the memorial day of 9/11. The speakers were Mr. H.A.R. Tilaar (a social figure and author concerned with social and education issue based in Jakarta), Mr. Michael H. Anderson (U.S. Consulate based in Surabaya), Mr. Mohtar Mas'oed (Dean of Faculty of Politics and Science of UGM), and Mrs. Ida Rochani Adi (director of INCULS of UGM). Each of them delivered their speech and presentation in relation to the issue of multiculturalism. All agree on the similar problem faced both by Indonesia and America, that is, multicultural society. Being multicultural can be beneficial and, at the same time, be something to watch over since it is potential for creating conflict. All agree on the different kind of multiculturalism of the two countries. America is multicultural starting from the arrival of Mayflower back in 1620. She is a land of immigrants. Indonesia is multicultural since the declaration and agreement of a number of local tribes to be united as a nation. One interesting question is decide which one is better: a melting pot or salad bowl. From this seminar, it can be concluded that we should be proud of the multiculturalism. It enriches us. It gives us a chance to get to know each other, to understand each other, to respect each other. It's good be different.

We, on the behalf of the committe, would like to thank the speakers for their inspiring speech, for the participants for joining our program, and for the sponsors.

ASSAA's next project is to conduct a study tour. We're going to travel to Malang, Bali, and Lombok. That way, we'll find out more of Indonesia's multiculturalism. See you soon...

Something's Lost in the Ocean Wide...

Asad!! How's your package? It's not arrived yet. I think it's drowned somewhere in the ocean.... deep into the ocean blue.. hehehe.. I'll let you know soon after I receive it, someday..... :p

A Big Lesson of Wisdom through a Big Figure...

Mr. Amien Rais' secretary suddenly called last Thursday morning saying that he wouldn't be able to participate in our seminar. This news was like a lightning in a sunny day. He wasn't to do so. It did make the committee shocked. No matter how busy he is, he couldn't cancel what he had been assigned to that carelessly, though. The committee had made a deal since July. His schedule must respect that appointment in any way.
Now that the posters, brochures, and leaflets have been published. There's no turning back. Thank God we've found dean of social and politics faculty to replace him as the speaker in the seminar. But, whatever it is, we're so disappointed with what's just happened.

Young generation, keep it in your mind. Stay humble, low profile... even when you'll have been a worldwide social figure... Don't look down on ordinary people :)