The high school years represent one of the most defining phases in a person's life. It is during this period that dreams begin to take shape, character is formed, and the future is at stake. At the same time, however, teenagers are also at their most vulnerable to various negative influences, from brawls and drug and alcohol abuse to social circles that can alter the course of their lives because of a single wrong decision.
This awareness has driven various elements across
the Special Region of Yogyakarta to work together in protecting its younger
generation. UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta was among the universities taking
part in this movement, with its Rector, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, attending the
Flag Ceremony and Joint Declaration by the school community of high schools and
vocational schools across the Special Region of Yogyakarta at SMA N 5
Yogyakarta City on Monday (7/20/2026), where he delivered an address on behalf
of the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
Opening his address, the Rector invited all
ceremony participants to turn their attention to an issue of shared concern:
the rising incidence of various forms of juvenile delinquency. According to
him, as a city of education and culture, Yogyakarta must not allow its younger
generation to lose their future to brawls, drug and alcohol abuse, or the
possession of bladed weapons. He said these issues have gone beyond mere school
disciplinary violations and have become a social challenge that must be
addressed through collaboration among all elements of society.
“No child is born with the ambition of becoming a
perpetrator of violence. It often begins with something that seems trivial, choosing
the wrong friends, seeking validation, or wanting to appear brave. Yet true
courage is when a person is able to say ‘no’ to the wrong invitation and dares
to protect both themselves and their friends,” he stressed.
He explained that a brawl never happens out of
nowhere. The decision that ultimately leads to violence actually begins much
earlier, when a teenager chooses to stay silent upon witnessing wrongdoing, or
chooses to give in to peer pressure rather than uphold the values they believe
in.
“You are not merely high school or vocational
school students. You are future doctors, teachers, technicians, entrepreneurs,
artists, members of the military, members of the police force, even future
leaders of this nation. It would be such a shame if that much potential was
extinguished because of one wrong night,” he said.
He further emphasized that protecting the younger
generation is not solely the responsibility of schools. Local government,
families, universities, security forces, and the wider community must build
strong collaboration through joint action. One such effort is strengthening the
“Jaga Warga” (Guard the Community) initiative as a social safeguard within each
neighborhood, ranging from watching over children during high-risk hours and
offering persuasive reminders, to reporting potential dangers to the
authorities.
Before thousands of students, Prof. Noorhaidi
also urged them to make clear life choices. “Choose friendships that build you
up, choose the courage to report violence or drugs when you see them, choose to
come home on time and respect your parents. Protecting yourself is a form of
respect for those who have worked hard to raise you,” he explained.
Closing his address, Prof. Noorhaidi called on
all high school and vocational school students across the Special Region of
Yogyakarta to reject violence, drugs, alcohol, the possession of bladed
weapons, and all forms of juvenile delinquency that jeopardize their futures.
He expressed his belief that Yogyakarta's future is being built in classrooms
today, through every small decision student make after they leave school.
“Be a light for your parents, your teachers, and
for our beloved Special Region of Yogyakarta,” he concluded. (humassk)