Four youths selected by the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports Republic of Indonesia (Kemenpora) represented Indonesia in the Youth7 (Y7) Summit held from 16 to 20 May 2022 in Berlin, Germany. Y7 2022 is one of the official engagement groups that voices youth’s aspirations leading up to the G7 Summit this June in Germany. The youth delegations participating in the 2022 Y7 Summit consisted of delegates from G7 countries, namely the United States, Germany, Japan, Britain, Italy, Canada, France, plus the European Union, as well as representatives from four partner countries, namely Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Ukraine. In addition to commemorating 70 years of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Germany, Indonesia has an essential role in implementing the Y7 Summit 2022 in the form of its strategic position in holding the G20 Presidency in 2022.
The Indonesian youth delegates at the Y7 Summit 2022 were Amira Bilqis (Sustainable and Green Planet), Muhammad Radhiyan Pasopati Pribadi (Economic Transformation for Shared Progress), Anak Agung Mia Intentilia, who became the head of the delegation (Resilience of Democracies), and Raihan Ariatama (Global Health & Solidarity). They have attended working meetings on their respective tracks virtually with delegates from other countries before negotiating face-to-face in Berlin, Germany.
Proposed Position of Indonesia
In the track’ Sustainable and Green Planet’, Amira proposed, “Indonesia and other developing countries affected by climate change need annual energy transition financial assistance and calls for acceleration of the low-emission renewable energy technology”. Amira hopes that the G7 policy decision upholds the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and provides holistic people-centred reskilling mechanisms for youth as the future workforce.
Meanwhile, Radhiyan who represented the Track 2 ‘Economic Transformation’ proposed, “Within the G7 and other countries, it is necessary to expand social safety nets in building recommendations for economical solutions that are just and accurately targeted”. Radhiyan also highlighted the practice of Village Fund Cash Direct Assistance (BLT) as an example of a community-based targeting mechanism so that other countries can learn from Indonesia to consult in determining who is entitled to social security reasonably.
While Mia as the head of the delegation and contributed to Track 3 ‘Resilience of Democracies’, said, “G7 leaders, G20, and international partners are important to make inclusive education and active youth participation intersect with democracy. In addition, there is also an improvement in digital infrastructure, an increase in digital literacy materials and critical thinking in the education process.” He added, strengthening the participation and voice of youth in democracy, for example, in the policy-making process and collaboration through real practice in entrepreneurship, internship opportunities, and international youth exchange opportunities.
Raihan as part of Track 4 ‘Global Health & Solidarity’ suggested that “G7 and G20 leaders need to ensure food security through equitable food access by prohibiting food embargoes under any conditions, national food diversification, and humanitarian assistance during crisis. Through the World Food Program, Raihan hopes that the global food program can target all levels of society regardless of religion, race, ethnicity and country of origin.
Negotiation Challenges and Follow Up Y7 2022 Communique
The challenges during negotiations are real when balancing the ambitious interest of developed countries with the capacities of developing countries. To build the spirit of the international partnership ‘Stronger Together’, Germany invited developing countries into the G7 engagement group policy-making process, keeping in mind that their policy priorities align with the Indonesian G20 Presidency’s theme ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger.’ The Communique also has been submitted directly to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to be followed up with the leaders of the G7 countries.
Subsequently, Gracia Paramitha, PhD as Co-Chair of Y20 Indonesia 2022 also had the opportunity to deliver an online keynote speech about the need for integration between sectors/issues in overcoming the global crisis, the importance of building a more inclusive Indonesia Y7 and Y20 network, and going beyond Communiqué to make the outputs of the Y7 and Y20 more concrete. Regarding the alignment of issues, the topic of Y20 Indonesia coincides with Y7 Germany, namely: ‘Sustainable and Livable Planet’ (SLP) with Track 1 ‘Sustainable and Green Planet’, ‘Youth Employment’ and ‘Digital Transformation’ with Track 2 ‘Economic Transformation’, and ‘Diversity Inclusion’ with Track 3 ‘Resilience of Democracy’. “The Y7 Berlin 2022 meeting is also a new history for Y20 Indonesia because it is the first time that Y20 Indonesia (non-member Y7) has synergised and cooperated with the Y7 Presidency of Germany 2022. This is also reflected in the cooperation of the German G7 Presidency and G20 Indonesia”, said Gracia.
In addition to the preparation of the Y7 Communiqué, the delegates had the opportunity to visit and have a dialogue at the German Bundestag (German Parliament) with several members of parliament and discuss with three diplomats at the German Federal Foreign Office. In addition, the delegates also met with Lisa Paus, the German Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth. The Indonesian delegation also held an audience and was received by the Deputy Head of Representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Berlin to present the results of the 2022 Y7 Summit. After the Y7 Summit, the Indonesian delegation and delegates from other countries committed to carrying out post-summit advocacy in various activities to amplify the Communique.
Sumber berita: g20.org
