RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, Bramantyo Suwondo, emphasized that young people play a strategic role in governance and in shaping ASEAN’s future.

He made the statement at the 3rd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The forum carried the theme “ASEAN Youth: Strengthening Solidarity and Empowering Future-Ready Leaders.”

Bramantyo said young people should no longer be seen merely as future leaders, as they are already part of the governance ecosystem. “For us, young people are not only future leaders. They are already part of the governance ecosystem. The question is not whether we should involve them, but how to ensure their participation is meaningful and sustainable,” he said, quoted from an official statement.

Bramantyo also conveyed that ASEAN is undergoing major transformation, marked by rapid digitalization, the growth of artificial intelligence, rising cyber risks and disinformation, and declining youth trust in public institutions. He noted that young people, who make up around one-third of ASEAN’s population, represent a major opportunity for the region.

However, this potential must be supported by targeted and sustainable policies. “This is a strategic opportunity, but it requires deliberate policy design so that it can be translated into real leadership,” he said.

Bramantyo highlighted Indonesia’s efforts to build youth participation from the local to the national level. At the village and subdistrict levels, youth are involved in Musrenbang development planning forums through organizations such as Karang Taruna.

At the national level, the Indonesian House of Representatives regularly holds the Youth Parliament program as a platform for political education and youth participation.

In addressing digital challenges, Indonesia has implemented the National Digital Literacy Program, which has reached more than 24 million participants, focusing on digital skills, ethics, safety, and culture. The government has also developed the Digital Talent Scholarship to strengthen youth capacity in data, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

“We do not only want to protect young people in the digital space, but also ensure they are able to participate productively in the digital economy,” Bramantyo said.

Indonesia also proposed several strategic recommendations, including early and sustained youth engagement, stronger regional cooperation in digital literacy and safety, integration of youth perspectives into education, employment, and mental health policies, and capacity building for future skills, including AI and the digital economy.

Bramantyo stressed that youth empowerment must be a priority in ASEAN governance, adding that Indonesia is ready to strengthen cooperation with AIPA member parliaments to promote the strategic role of young people in the region.