Hi, I’m Christine, a delegate representing Indonesia at One Young World.
I was raised in a multicultural, multifaith and even in multisocial-class family. These things makes me respect differences.
I believe that if we are more open-minded and can accept differences as a blessing in life, racism and discrimination won’t exist.
In my perspective, differences make our life dynamic. I always curious to know and want to learn more about other new things. I think these backgrounds made me interested to be a culture and tourism ambassador in my country, especially my province North Sumatra. I believe that culture exchange as well as information exchange will help to promote mutual understanding between people and nations.
Culture and tourism are the industries that will contribute a lot for the development of social welfare because of its multiplier effect. Indonesia is promoting it’s tourism and culture industry so that the world knows Indonesia as a whole, not only Bali. Nowadays youth in my country are far from sufficient regarding knowledge and sense of belonging to our own cultures and heritages. In fact, as a part of society we need to know our own roots and culture well.
In order to be a part of these campaigns, I’m actively involved in local culture and tourism association. We start doing small steps like learning traditional dances and trying to promote them by performing them. Mostly we wear our traditional costume that most youth tend to avoid and even have no idea about its existance. We simply hope that this could inspire other youth to have the same awareness to be proud of their own culture and heritage.
I do believe that identity is important and that we have sufficient knowledge about our own strengths and weaknesses. Once we know ourselves better and can respect our backgrounds, it is easier for us to respect others. We still have a long way to go but every little step is meaningful.
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BBC World Have Your Say 
I tend to agree with you. I travel a lot and realise that people are very much the same everywhere I go especially the children. Man made religeons rather than bind us together do their level best to tear us apart. I too dream of a world with one colour a common language and the natural tolerance that I believe will then come about.
Hi, In my view racism and discrimination exsists because people wont interact. When people come to live in the uk from abroad they settle in regions together. They continue with thier own customs and churches. They stick together and do not mix with us. We find that our property devalues and other things like that comes about. They bring racism and discrimination upon themselves as a result. If they were made to live in our areas without condensing they would live alot happier than they and we do. I am not racist nor do I discriminate. Why should we have to accept as this is our country walling walls and mosques etc. They want their own schools and it goes on and on like that. Alot of people come to live here to get away from conflict and find employment. We understand this but once they have settled they refuse to intergrate. Laws of the land should be applied. They know our laws and customs tho they spend their time making us live by their laws. UNJUST!
Living in a multiracial country is challenging and offers a lot of scope to evolve into better human beings. With more tolerance and more understanding, our senses become more tuned and we become more aware of the lovely cultural tapestry of a multicultural society where different races live in harmony. Life is short. The more we are able to exchange, the better global citizens we strive to be. With more opportunities we will be able to nip racism in the bud. Racism has no place in this day and age. The more we learn about other people’s customs and culture the more empowered we become. Knowledge is power and the more inter-cultural and inter-racial bridges we build the less ignorant we become and the more respectful we become of others. A fine example of a city state where racial and cultural harmony exists is Singapore.
Most problems have more than one side to it. As long as there is communication there can be understanding especially when one has to live among different people. There also needs to be some maturity to appreciate differences. This of course requires older and wiser people to advise the others.
That is aperfect idea you have to stop this nostalgia of discrimination and racism.keep the spirit alive and one day you will get the nobel price for peace in the world
what you said was definitely important .. i myself was trying to involve in such activities and i got a chance in the USA but.. the reason why i couldn’t was my culture to which i want introduce people haha… that is complictaed..
a girl from Oman
Christine it seems that your view of the world is broad enough to understand that tolerance is a tenet needed for good relations. And what calls me my attention is that Indonesia is a country with hundreds of islands. And the people that live in islands have a different way of thinking. And again education is the link for understanding human problems and resolving them.
Congratulions because Indonesia is well represented.
Christine: Congratulations for your open mind.
I am look forward to nations like japan and china leaders calling themselves promoting multi racial,multi cultural and multi faith in their cuntries. This young star is representative of the future who see people as people just like me in my youth as a 9 year old.