Jusuf Kalla`s Thoughts on Nelson Mandela, Value of Reconciliation
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Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During his opening speech at the Mandela Peace Summit in New York, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla recollected his unforgettable encounter with Nelson Mandela in 2003, an individual that Jusuf deemed had inspired millions of people across the globe.
“His (Mandela's) struggle against the apartheid shows us what it really means to free ourselves from discrimination,” said the vice president at General Assembly Hall on Monday, September 24.
According to Jusuf Kalla, throughout his life, Mandela taught the value of justice and reconciliation where every individual must respect the values of human rights without looking at the color of their skin, faith, nationality, and social status.
“I believe in the value of reconciliation,” said Jusuf Kalla who also maintained that democracy will only work within the presence of tranquility, respect toward differences, and tolerance.
The vice president further elaborated that it was applied in Indonesia’s reconciliation with Aceh and Timor Leste. Jusuf Kalla views that dialogue helps overcome hate speech, radicalism, and violent extremism.
CHITRA PARAMAESTI
