Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, recently showcased pencak silat as a significant cultural heritage of Indonesia during the global sports initiative event ‘Securing the Legacy: Debriefing from Paris 2024 for Future Major Sporting Events Marking’ held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He emphasized how pencak silat embodies valuable principles such as discipline, resilience, and peace, surpassing its identity as a martial art. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, pencak silat not only teaches self-defense but also promotes harmony and peace among its practitioners.
Minister Dito’s advocacy for pencak silat as a symbol of global resilience underscores Indonesia’s commitment to showcasing it on an international platform, potentially including it in the Olympics. He believes that sports like pencak silat can embody principles of security resilience and play a role in nation-building, social cohesion, and conflict resolution. Indonesia is actively participating in the UN Office for Combating Terrorism’s Global Sports Programme, utilizing traditional and modern sports to empower youth and enhance resilience.
Drawing insights from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Minister Dito highlighted the importance of robust security infrastructure and preparedness for major sporting events. He emphasized the necessity of innovative security frameworks, intelligence sharing, and global partnerships to effectively manage security challenges. Indonesia is focused on strengthening public-private partnerships, improving sports safety standards, and fostering international collaboration to combat violent extremism through sports.
President Prabowo Subianto’s ambition to introduce pencak silat to the Olympics received specific mention, with a call for support from various stakeholders. He underscored the need to preserve pencak silat as a treasured cultural heritage of Indonesia and advocated for its inclusion in the Olympics. These efforts align with Indonesia’s dedication to promoting peace and unity through sports collaboration. By positioning sports as a symbol of peace and resilience, Indonesia aims to create a safe and inclusive global sporting environment.
Sources:
– [Link 1](https://prabowosubianto.com/in-line-with-prabowos-vision-menpora-dito-promotes-pencak-silat-at-the-un-indonesias-legacy-for-global-peace-and-resilience/)
– [Link 2](https://prabowo2024.net/2025/03/07/promoting-pencak-silat-indonesia-s-legacy-for-global-peace/)