"Integrity is not measured by wealth or power, but by the positive change we bring to others". This principle, reflected in a quote attributed to renowned musician Bob Marley, captures the essence of Indonesia’s Youth Pledge: words mean little unless we have the courage to turn them into action.

For Kawan UNDIRA, the Youth Pledge is more than a childhood lesson or a declaration recited every October 28. It is a living commitment to uphold our values, take responsibility for our words, and transform a shared vision into meaningful change. Rooted in one of the most defining moments in Indonesia’s history, Youth Pledge Day reminds us that a stronger nation begins when its people choose unity over division and action over empty promises.

Youth Pledge Day traces its origins to the Second Youth Congress, organized by the Indonesian Students' Association (Perhimpunan Pelajar-Pelajar Indonesia, or PPPI) in Jakarta on October 27–28, 1928. The congress took place at several venues, including the Katholieke Jongenlingen Bond Building, the Oost Java Bioscoop cinema, and the Indonesische Clubgebouw, now known as the Kramat 106 Youth Pledge Museum in Jakarta. The congress brought together young Indonesians from diverse regional, ethnic, and religious backgrounds to express their shared national aspirations. Its resolutions affirmed the principles of unity and equality, laying the foundation for a collective national identity and strengthening the ideals and aspirations of the Indonesian people.

The Youth Pledge consists of three solemn declarations that have been passed down from generation to generation. The first states, “We, the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia.” The second declares, “We, the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation, the Indonesian nation.” The third proclaims, “We, the sons and daughters of Indonesia, uphold the language of unity, Indonesian.” Although these three declarations are concise yet powerful expressions of national solidarity, the passage of time has made it all too easy for their meaning to remain confined to words spoken on ceremonial occasions.

In the modern era, Indonesia continues to face a range of contradictions and persistent challenges. The road ahead is far from easy. When reflecting on the nation's current circumstances, we are reminded of persistent socio-cultural inequalities, economic uncertainty, the continuing need to strengthen literacy, and, more recently, growing concerns over environmental issues affecting forests across Indonesia. These challenges can undermine public confidence, including that of the international community, while creating long-term consequences that affect the well-being of society as a whole. Now is the time for us to rise, forging a new beginning through the spirit of youth.

As we approach this year's Youth Pledge Day, celebrated under the theme “Patriotic, Resilient, and Empathetic: Youth for Indonesia,” it is time to recognize that this historic occasion must be more than a chapter in our shared history, Kawan UNDIRA. Building a strong nation requires us to move beyond reciting a pledge and begin putting its values into practice, starting with the choices we make in our everyday lives.

Being patriotic does not simply mean attending ceremonies or raising our voices in declarations of national pride. It means demonstrating genuine care for our homeland, promoting transparency, strengthening the nation's commitment to literacy, protecting our immediate surroundings, and advocating for the preservation of Indonesia's natural heritage.

Being resilient means refusing to give up in the face of adversity. It means pursuing knowledge, developing our skills, creating meaningful work, and embracing innovation, even when the path forward is far from smooth.

Meanwhile, being empathetic means being willing to listen to and embrace our fellow Indonesians, looking beyond differences in ethnicity, religion, and regional identity. It means carrying forward the spirit of the young people of 1928, who were willing to set aside their differences in pursuit of a shared national aspiration. We create change through small steps that lead to a brighter and better future.

“To care for Indonesia is to care for the lives of everyone who calls it home. One homeland, one nation, one language, and one shared responsibility: to protect Indonesia.”

Happy Youth Pledge Day, Kawan UNDIRA! Let us turn the three pledges into a source of inspiration and a driving force for meaningful action, bringing Indonesia closer to a brighter future. May the spirit of October 28 continue to remind us that the future of this nation is not shaped by promises alone, but by the courage, integrity, and collective efforts of its people.