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Jokowi celebrates Children’s Day in Papua to symbolize educational justice
Wearing traditional Papuan attire, Jokowi danced alongside 2,600 students in an event that broke the Indonesian World Record Museum (MURI) record for a mass dance.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center) together with wife Iriana present a gift to an elementary school student during the commemoration of the 40th National Children’s Day at Istora Papua Bangkit, Jayapura, Papua, on July 23, 2024. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was in Jayapura, Papua, on Tuesday to celebrate National Children’s Day. The city was chosen as the organizer for this year’s event to symbolize that education should touch all children in Indonesia, including those in the remote and outermost regions.
Jokowi, who attended the event with his wife Iriana, Home Minister Tito Karnavian and Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, said that children should study hard amid increasingly fierce global competition.
“Study, study, study,” said the president in a press conference, adding, “Indonesian children must be prepared not only to be smart, but also to have character.”
The 40th National Children's Day was held under the theme Protected Children, Onward Indonesia.
Read also: Nusantara presidential palace completed in time for Independence Day
Wearing traditional Papuan attire, Jokowi danced alongside 2,600 students at Istora Papua Bangkit, in an event that broke the Indonesian World Record Museum (MURI) record for a mass dance.
There was also a fashion show featuring children in traditional costumes and a marching band performed by children. Jokowi and Iriana also carried out what has become their trademark quizzes; with winners receiving small gifts as rewards.
During the occasion, representatives from the National Children Forum (FAN), a children's organization under the Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry, voiced their concerns to the President regarding several problems Indonesian children faced, including limited access to education, early marriage and childhood smoking and alcohol consumption. (alf)
