Jakarta, September 22, 2024 – The Europe Today: Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri stressed that politics must be directed toward enhancing a nation’s civilization during a scientific oration in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Saturday. The event was part of the ceremony where she was conferred the title of honorary professor of tourism and cultural heritage by the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage (IUTCH).
In her oration titled “Cultural Road and Civilization Meeting Points,” Megawati highlighted the importance of politics in shaping the future of humanity. “With this attitude, politics is responsible for the future of humanity worldwide,” she stated.
Megawati credited her perspective on civilization and politics to her father, Soekarno, the first President of Indonesia. “For me, Soekarno is both a father figure and a teacher. He taught me that politics is life,” she remarked.
Expounding on her father’s teachings, Megawati explained that culture is a fundamental aspect of civilization, rooted in the shared experiences and values of people. Nations are formed from these shared cultures, and within them, a collective will and moral commitment uphold the systems and laws that define national life.
She further emphasized that leadership derives its strength from the collective will of the people, stating, “No matter how strong a leader’s power may be, it cannot be separated from the collective will of the people who have established it.”
Megawati concluded by underscoring that culture is the path to human civilization, reinforcing the idea that a nation’s success is rooted in the shared culture and commitment of its people.
