Indonesia: Hundreds of children and young people call for kindness and an end to bullying

JAKARTA, 25 June 2021 – Hundreds of children and young people from around Indonesia will join leaders, journalists and activists at a three-day conference beginning tomorrow to promote kindness and call for an end to bullying.

The Kindness Conference Indonesia, which will be held virtually from 26-28 June 2021, will bring together 360 youth participants to voice their opinions and ideas about kindness and bullying prevention. The participants were selected from over 2,500 applicants via the Kindness Challenge #BaikItuKeren on UNICEF's youth communication platform, U-Report. During the three days, they will learn how to identify and report cases of bullying to prevent peer-to-peer violence in their daily lives.

The conference will also call on young people to become ‘kindness leaders’ to help end violence against children by promoting kindness and empathy in their schools and communities.

In Indonesia, bullying is among the key issues that negatively impact the well-being of children. According to recent data:

• 2 out of 3 girls and boys aged 13-17 have experienced at least one type of violence in their lives. 
• 41 per cent of students aged 15 have experienced bullying more than a few times a month.
• 45 per cent of 2,777 young people aged 14-24 surveyed through UNICEF’s youth engagement platform U-Report said that they have experienced cyberbullying.

The Kindness Conference Indonesia is part of a broader campaign with the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, and UNICEF to end bullying and violence against children.

“My message to the participants, the potential leaders in the future, let us cultivate a sense of empathy and tolerance in implementing development in every sector. Always carry the perspective of women and children in your every thought, your understanding, and in all the efforts that you will do in the future. This is surely to realize the vision of empowered women, protected children and an advanced Indonesia," said the Minister of Woman Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga.

Minister Bintang added that in carrying out efforts to empower women and protect children, the Ministry routinely holds dialogues, discussions, and exchanges ideas with various parties from children's organizations such as children's forums, student organizations, CEO forums, to various organizations in and outside the country.

“Every day, far too many youths are forced to face bullying, which not only undermines their learning but can have a significant impact on their health and well-being,” said UNICEF Deputy Representative Robert Gass. “But simple acts of kindness can change this by making people feel valued and cared for. By working with young people as partners in spreading kindness and empathy, we can promote an end to bullying and other forms of violence against children.”

During the online conference, a series of workshop sessions will feature experts and youth representatives who will share their stories and experiences. They will issue a call to action for others to be kind to each other, spread empathy and prevent bullying. The sessions will be led by 35 young facilitators, including representatives from Mitra Muda, Child Forum and the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection.

Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga, Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim, and journalist and activist Najwa Shihab are invited to participate in a panel discussion on kindness and empathy in leadership.

UNICEF Regional Ambassador for East Asia and Pacific Choi Siwon will attend a Q&A session with young people about kindness and anti-bullying issues. 

“Bullying can affect a child’s confidence, education and mental health. And that lasts a lifetime,” said Choi Siwon. “For over four years, I’ve partnered with UNICEF in the East Asia and Pacific region to raise awareness of bullying and work with young people to end this problem. At this year’s Kindness Conference, I’m excited to continue this campaign and engage Indonesian youth in a meaningful dialogue on how to end bullying through spreading kindness and empathy.”

The sessions will be held virtually via Zoom, with several sessions – including the panel discussion on Day 1 and the Q&A with Choi Siwon – planned to be broadcast through UNICEF’s social media channels.

Watch the event live on UNICEF Indonesia’s YouTube Channel.