In 1928, a group of young Indonesians made a declaration that would echo across generations: one homeland, one nation, and one language. The Sumpah Pemuda was a proclamation of unity, but above all, it was an act of imagination. A daring belief that young people, even without titles or wealth, could change the course of history. 

Today, nearly a century later, the spirit of that vow still burns brightly, reminding us that the courage of youth is timeless. But instead of gathering in a hall, they gather in digital spaces. Instead of handwritten pledges, they use hashtags, apps, podcasts and code. Some march peacefully on the streets; others campaign through viral videos. The methods are new, but the message is familiar: youth are here to lead, to build a better Indonesia. 

Youth, aged 16-30, are not a small demographic in Indonesia. They are nearly a quarter of Indonesia’s population, more than 60 million voices. That’s not just statistics, it’s a force. A force that is driving change in how we tackle poverty, improve education, strengthen governance, and protect our planet. Digital technology has amplified that force. With 95 percent of young people connected to the internet, the gap between imagination and action has never been smaller. 

From remote villages to sprawling cities, young Indonesians are using digital tools to open doors that were once closed, and they are proving that digital innovation can drive real change. They’re transforming challenges into opportunities, from climate action to education, from sustainability to inclusion. 

Through UNDP’s Youth Co:Lab programme, supported by Citi Foundation, young innovators across Indonesia are turning ideas into impact. In Medan, Kepul turns “Jual Sampah Jadi Mudah” into reality through a platform that helps communities sell and recycle waste, while empowering local movements like Sekolah Bebas Sampah and Sedekah Sampah. In Purwokerto, Arjun Technology brings immersive learning to classrooms through AR and VR, while in Papua, Sacode bridges the digital divide through coding classes and community ICT hubs that nurture local talent.

Across Indonesia, other young innovators are helping small businesses reach new markets, creating learning platforms for underserved communities, and using data to advocate for transparency and accountability. They’re turning climate concerns into campaigns and civic questions into conversations. This is not abstract progress, but rather human development in action. 

And yet, the promise of youth is not evenly shared. More than 23.78 percent of Indonesian youth are Not in Employment, Education, and Training (NEET). Many are young women who face layered barriers to opportunity. For all the promise of digital platforms, millions of youths still lack access to reliable internet or the skills to use it meaningfully. These gaps are more than numbers; they are lives whose potential remains unrealized and voices that go unheard. 

But these gaps are not dead ends, but rather a call to action. A call to invest in inclusive infrastructure, to expand digital literacy, and to ensure that participation is not a privilege for the connected few but a right for all. They remind us that development cannot be measured by economic growth alone; it must be about unlocking human potential. 

Indonesia’s national priorities reflect this. Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, Asta Cita No. 4 recognizes youth as critical agents of change. It’s not just about what youth are doing locally. Globally, young Indonesians are also stepping into arenas their parents’ generation rarely entered. They are speaking at climate negotiations, influencing debates on digital rights, and driving innovation in the blue economy. Earlier this year, Zagy Berian was appointed as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Climate Change, an extraordinary recognition of youth leadership from Indonesia on the world stage.  

For UNDP, this is where sustainable human development comes alive. It is not only about lifting people out of poverty. It is about ensuring that every individual has the choices and opportunities to live the life they value. And that freedom is amplified when youth have the digital skills, platforms, and trust to act as partners in shaping society.  

As we commemorate Hari Sumpah Pemuda this year, the question before us is simple: will we treat youth as passengers in Indonesia’s journey, or as drivers of its direction? Unity in the digital age cannot be reduced to slogans or trending hashtags. It must mean a shared purpose: to ensure that from Sabang to Merauke, no young person is left behind in shaping the story of this country. 

The youth of 1928 had only their voices, but they changed history. The youth of today hold the world at their fingertips. The generation that scrolls, shares, and shapes is ready. The question is: are we ready to listen? 
 

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Written by: Riswan Andika and Randa Sandhita – UNDP Youth Committee