JISRA Cross-Country Learning: Reviving Human Values Through History and Culture

Bandung has once again stood witness to a movement for change. On the second day of the Cross-Country Learning Event on Youth, Digital Safety, and Human Rights organized by Mensen met een Missie & JISRA INDONESIA and facilitated by PeaceGeneration Indonesia (PeaceGen) participants moved beyond the classroom. They took to the streets, retracing historical footsteps and immersing themselves in social realities.

Retracing Diplomacy and Struggle

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the journey began at the Museum of the Asian-African Conference, the very site where global solidarity was solidified decades ago. Here, participants were reminded that international cooperation is not a modern trend, but a vital legacy that must be fiercely protected.

The journey continued to Gedung Indonesia Menggugat (The "Indonesia Accuses" Building). Participants explored the history of the venue where Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, delivered his legendary defense plea. This landmark serves as a powerful reminder that defending justice and human rights is a struggle that demands immense moral courage.

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Social Experiment: The "Mark My Face" Game

In a session titled "Coreng Mukaku" (Mark My Face), led by PeaceGen facilitators Jere and Annisa, the dynamics between the majority and minority were sharply dissected.

Participants were asked to choose between two preferences (e.g., "Coffee vs. Tea"). The majority groupthose who chose the more popular option was granted the power to place a "dot" (a label) on the faces of the minority group.

The post-game discussion revealed a sobering reality: in the real world, minority groups often feel sacrifice their true identities simply to ensure their safety and avoid social exclusion.

Human Library

After playing "coreng mukaku" participants transitioned into the Human Library session. Within "small family" circles, they were encouraged to ask sensitive questions while maintaining deep mutual respect.

Every participant held the absolute right to say "no" to any question that made them uncomfortable. This was a practical application of empathy: learning to understand one another without violating personal boundaries or privacy.

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Celebrating Diversity at Saung Angklung Udjo

The day of profound reflection culminated in harmony at Saung Angklung Udjo. Attendees didn't just watch; they joined the performers in dancing and singing, celebrating the essence of Unity in Diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika).

Key Takeaways for Youth, Human Rights, and Digital Safety

The second day provided three fundamental lessons for young activists:

1. Understanding Power Dynamics: Recognizing how labels and identities create vulnerability, especially in digital spaces that are often polarized.

2. The Necessity of Safe Spaces: Cross-cultural dialogue can only flourish when there are explicit "ground rules" that prioritize respect.

3. The Power of Experiential Learning (ARCA): PeaceGen proved that through Activity, Reflection, Conceptualization, and Application, complex concepts like prejudice can be understood deeply through direct experience.

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Interested in learning more about the ARCA method or PeaceGen’s initiatives? Let’s start a conversation!