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1. Community Development as a Way to Create a
Peaceful World
2010 International Essay Contest for Young People
Randi Swandaru
22 years old/Male/ Indonesia
Bogor Agricultural University
YOUTH (797 WORDS)
Jalan Burisrowo no 780 RT 01/03 Halim P 13610 Jakarta, Indonesia
email : randi_swandaru@yahoo.com phone: 6281310235685

2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS
A WAY TO CREATE A PEACEFUL WORLD
Living in this new century we have abundant different situations with the 20 th century. Today we
have a better education, technology, and communication system. However, in this first decade of 21 st
century we did have some wars and conflicts around the world. Start with the 9/11 tragedy 1 which
triggered wars in Iraq and Afganistan then some bombing tragedy in Spain, Rusia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia,
India, Indonesia and many others. Those wars and conflicts have caused a lot of death, destruction, poverty,
deaseas, disability, trauma and some other disadvantages. Instead of blaming the situation I prefer to be
proactive and do some action to change this condition. I believe that creating a peaceful world must be
started with a paradigm that we respect people because of humanity then do some immediate action in our
local community.
I do believe that people must respect each other by the most basic thing which is humanity. We
should respect the other persons not because what they have or what they achieved but because of we are all
the same as human. In fact, many of us still think that we have better nationality, race, or religion and
underestimate the others. This paradigm is a seed of terrorism and violation because it can fertilize hatred to
a different race, religion, nationality, and many other differences. Hitler along his army 2 was an example for
that paradigm which killed thousands even millions Jews in early 1900s. Bosnian tragedy 3 is another
example of this dangerous paradigm. On the contratry, when we respect and love another person because
of humanity we can break many barriers. We can easily come and help people without any fear or
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prejudice. Mother Theresa4 and Lady Diana5 are two good examples for us in the way they helped people
with different color, country, race or religion. They did believe that above of all differences we are all the
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3. same as human. If we can use this paradigm it will give us a better understanding in global life and a good
starting point to create a peaceful world
Although creating a peaceful world is a Herculian job so that we need an effort from many
stakeholders, we can start it with a little single step in our community. According to Piazza6 social cleavage
is more likely the reason of terrorism than poverty. Related to that research, starting with our community
is relevant because community is small enough so that we can identify the problems and try to solve them
together. In addition community development can solve economical problems and help people to find their
identity again as a community simultaneously. Moreover, as young people we are good motors in our
community because we are not very old so that we have more passion and not very green so that we have a
good framework of thinking. The only thing that we need is open our eyes to observe and ears to listen in
order to find the problems and their solutions.
In my country, Indonesia, we have experienced a lot of terror and bombing tragedy since 2000.
Community Development as a Way to Create a Peaceful World | ommunity
They were twice in Bali7, several times in Jakarta8, and in some cities on Christmast night in 20009. The
reason of that tragedy can be identified as ethnical and religious problems 10. In addition, most of the actors
were young people who had problems with their finance and family. According to that fact, I believe that
we should start with our community to create peaceful world because the root of the problems is not only
poverty but also sociological problems
Realizing the importance of community development as a solution of terror and conflicts, my
friends and I started a community development in Desa Tapos, Bogor, West Java in October 2009. We
helped the farmers to make high nutritional drink from Jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis)11 which we called
Koro Milk and train them to plant and culture organic paddy on their fields. We found sponsor who
interested in our programs. We use the money to buy a sealer machine, mixer, and other tools. In addition,
we also use it to hold some courses that train them to make organic fertilizer and pesticide and help them to
Develo
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4. plant the organic paddy. After eight months of programs, now the farmer’s wifes can make Koro Milk by
themselves and ready to sell it. Moreover, the farmers are still waiting the harvest time which comes in
July. The farmers and their families are happy because the programs will give them money and make them
closer with one another
I believe if every young people can share about the dream of peaceful world and give contribution
to their community, the journey to see a new brighter future is no longer a dream.
*****
1)
Did 9/11 Justify the War in Afghanistan? Source :http://www.911truth.org/
2)
Hitler. Source : http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210520/hitler.htm
3)
The Bosnian Tragedy. By Sara Flounders, International Action Center, 1995. This Pamplet Is Part Of The
Forthcoming Book, Nato In The Balkans: Voices In Opposition. Source :
http://www.iacenter.org/bosnia/tragedy.htm
4)
The Nobel Prize in Peace 1979, Mother Teresa. Source :
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html
5)
Queen of Humanity. Source : http://www.princess-diana.com/diana/queenofhumanity.htm
6)
Piazza, James. Rooted in Poverty?: Terrorism, Poor Economic Development, and Social Cleavages.
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Department of Political Science, University of North Carolina,Charlotte, NC, USA
7)
Bali blast confirmed as suicide bombing. Source :
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/12/09/bali.blasts/index.html
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5. 8)
Waluyo, Sapto. 2010. Kontra Terorisme Dilema Indonesia Era Transisi. NF Media Center. Pg 128
9)
Christmas bombing campaign hits Catholic churches across Indonesia. Source :
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/christmas-bombing-campaign-hits-catholic-churches-
across-indonesia-627571.html
10)
Waluyo, Sapto. 2010. Kontra Terorisme Dilema Indonesia Era Transisi. NF Media Center. Pg 11
11)
Canavalia ensiformis. Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canavalia_ensiformis
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Community Development as a Way to Create a Peaceful World | ommunity
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