TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi believed that Papua has a wealth of talented and intelligent young people. During his visit to Sentani, Jayapura, on Tuesday, July 23, for the National Children's Day peak celebration held at Istora Papua Bangkit, Jayapura, he witnessed the intellectual potential of Papuan children.

He highlighted the example of several Papuan children who excelled in mathematics using a Gasing (Easy, Fun, Engaging) method. “This shows a strong foundation in human capital. We just need to nurture these abilities to help them truly flourish,” the President said after reviewing the second round of the National Immunization Week (PIN) for Polio at Posyandu Rajawali III, Graha Nendali Housing, Jayapura, Papua, on Tuesday.

The 40th National Children's Day celebration was themed "From Papua to Indonesia: Children's Voices Building the Nation". The event encompassed various activities, including children presenting their aspirations to the president, scholarship awards, and demonstrations of Papuan children's learning methods.

Additionally, a marching parade, marching bands, and a colossal dance performance involving 2,000 Papuan children aiming to break a record with the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) were held.

Although Jokowi did not deliver a formal speech at the event, he offered valuable advice to all Indonesian children. “For the future, we must cultivate our intelligence, knowledge, insight, and character. And study, study, study.”

The event was attended by approximately 8,000 participants, including 6,000 elementary school students or younger. President Jokowi actively engaged with the children by giving them quizzes during the event held at Istora Papua Bangkit. First Lady Iriana accompanied the president, and the live broadcast also showed the presence of Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia and Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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