Aceh Youth View Report #1_English

Aceh Youth Radio Project (AYRP)

YOUTH VIEW REPORT
Report #1
Synopsis/Overview – English Version
October 2008

Aceh Youth View Report – English Synopsis

Background

This is a synopsis of the first of three Youth View Reports, which highlights findings from implementation and monitoring of the Aceh Youth Radio pilot project (AYRP). The centerpiece of this DFID-funded, World Bank administered project is the youth radio show, Geundeurang Damee. The 30-minute pre-produced youth magazine captures youth voices, ideas, and issues, to be shared across a wider audience in Aceh. Each pre-produced show is followed by a live, 30-minute interactive talk show, facilitated by youth radio presenters. At present Geundeurang Damee is being aired on 12 commercial radio stations in 8 districts, with talk shows broadcast on six stations. One of the key aims of the project is to provide the Aceh Reintegration Board (BRA) and other prominent decision-makers a direct body of information about the needs of youth, which they can consider in developing Aceh’s social reintegration and peace building strategies.

Chiefly gleaned from SMS responses, listener questionnaires, and focus group discussions (FGDs) held at partner radio stations throughout the province, the findings are intended to relay both the unanswered questions posed by youth, as well as youth-generated solutions to important development challenges. SFCG has found certain concerns and attitudes that bridge the gaps that traditionally characterize Acehnese society, such as geography and gender. There are other areas of opinion, however, where demographic trends have been detected and duly noted. This report should be read as a guide to the complex issues that confront youths in Aceh today and their corresponding heterogeneous attitudes and opinions. SFCG sees the dissemination of this information as integral for local stakeholders who are trying to understand the policies best suited for the youths of Aceh.

It should be noted that this document is an English language synopsis of the full text Bahasa Indonesia Aceh Youth View Report, not a direct translation. This document highlights many of the report’s pertinent findings and analysis and is intended to convey views and opinions from Acehnese youth to English reading audiences.

Geundeurang Damee (“The Drums of Peace”)

The following are the main themes presented in the Aceh Youth Radio pilot project’s pre-produced radio show, Geundeurang Damee:

1. Youth’s view for Peace in Aceh: The first show, aired on August 15 (to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the MoU) explored the chronology of peace – from the conflict era until the post-MoU era. Youth reporters invited youth to demonstrate their appreciation of the sustainable peace being built in Aceh. One interview showcased the success of young leader, who had been elected to be Deputy District Administrator (Bupati). Peaceful expressions of hope were captured in a closer look at the reggae communities in Bireun and Banda Aceh, echoing the songs of freedom.
2. Media Freedom and the Role of Youth Journalists: In the second edition, youth reporters covered the story of what peace really means for young people working in the mass media field. Interviews with Acehnese journalists in Bireun and Lhokseumawe provide a fresh perspective on the growth of press freedom since the MOU, after a long struggle against oppression, intimidation, and threats. Today freedom of speech and press are enjoyed by nearly all of Acehnese society. However, access to information and rumor management, continue to be acute challenges.
3. Children: Victims of Conflict: In this edition stories featured children in conflict-affected areas. Children are perhaps the most vulnerable groups during the reintegration phase. Many of them are being marginalized and ignored as a result of an unfair bias focusing reintegration resources mainly on adult men.
4. The MoU, Three Years On: What Youth Can Contribute to Peace: In this show, aired soon after the anniversary of the MoU, youth put forward their assessment of MoU progress, as well as expectations on MoU enforcement. Field reports also covered the Rafly Peace Concert, organized by IOM, and the highlight of the show is an interview with Rafly “The Peace Ambassador”, promoting peace through music.
5. Ex-Combatants, Now and Forever: This show tries to change people’s perceptions of youth ex-combatants by highlighting their contributions to Aceh’s development. The show includes an interview with a prominent member of the Komite Peralihan Aceh (KPA) in Pase, Aceh Utara. In addition, it features the Tamiang Clinic, built by ex-combatants. Finally, a Vox Pop looks at the role of ex-combatants in the peace process.
6. Youth Self-Reliance: Youth micro-enterprise and self-reliance is highlighted in this show. Acehnese youth daily navigate economic, social, and cultural challenges, and have risen to these challenges, opening shops, and developing innovative responses to community issues, with support from the BRA and others.
7. Ramadhan and Lebaran (Eid Mubarak celebrations) for Everyone: This shows looks at the issues surrounding Idul Fitri celebrations, including transportation, security, etc. With the peace process well established, much has changed in the way that Acehnese approach and celebrate Lebaran.
8. I’m Not Crazy: Psychological trauma is explored in this edition, as decades of conflict have taken a hefty toll on Acehnese communities. The show includes a heartfelt radio diary with youth in the conflict affected area of Aceh Utara, as well as an interview with a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma issues.

Interactive Feedback

Talk Shows
To complement Geundeurang Damee, and include more youth voices into the project, SFCG has trained 10 radio presenters in the art of talk back radio, with a “Common Ground” edge. Six of these radio presenters host interactive talk shows every week, immediately following Geundeurang Damee. The talk shows follow the theme of the pre-produced show, and each participating radio station compiles a profile of listeners who called, as well as “Frequently Asked Questions,” both by phone and SMS.

This aspect of the project is perhaps one of the most important. With the goal of helping marginalized people access information and provide feedback on youth issues for decision-makers, the local radio station links are critical. Many people do not know where to turn for help on seemingly intractable development issues, and the talk shows serve as a sounding board of sorts, as youth are able to express their opinions about the pressing topics of the day.

Phone Ins-SMS
There has been a steady flow of audience responses to the youth radio magazine program, stimulated partly by on-air requests for listeners to contact each radio station with their questions. This is a mechanism for the AYRP to monitor the extent of listener engagement with the radio program. Each radio station keeps track of SMS and phone calls from week to week, and provides the information to SFCG for analysis. SFCG coordinates with the radio presenters to ensure that the appropriate guests are present for the talk shows. All questions and comments generated by SMS and phone-ins are then collated by each of the radio stations involved in project, providing invaluable data about the youth context in each of the target areas. Depending on the topic of the week, the issues of greatest interest or import vary considerably. The Bahasa Indonesia Youth View Report includes careful analysis of this information.

Outreach
To garner public attention for the radio show and the Aceh Youth Radio project as a whole, SFCG designed special “Buka Puasa Bersama” (“Breaking the Fast Together”) events across Aceh, in recognition of the strong Muslim majority population. “Buka Puasa Bersama” refers to breaking the daily Ramadan fast in the early evening, and SFCG used these opportunities to promote the radio programs, providing snacks to youth participants.

In concert with Buka Puasa activities, SFCG conducted Listener Group and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) simultaneously, the outcome of which have contributed to the findings of this Youth View Report.

Findings

Overview
Listeners and participants from throughout the province addressed the heterogeneous social problems that confront many Acehnese youth today. Continually, youths expressed apprehensions about the current state of peace in Aceh, feeling that a stable peace has yet to be achieved. Despite characterizations from the government about the state of peace in Aceh, youths voiced doubts about these portrayals, and pressed the government to act further in its efforts to establish a durable peace. Few youths displayed a fervent allegiance to one political party; instead, they more regularly described the upcoming election as being overly inundated with political parties. Youths spoke of both their aspirations and anxieties for the upcoming elections, acknowledging the improvements in the stability of society since the signing of the MoU, while also articulating fears about skirmishes between supporters of national and local parties, both preceding and following the election. Participants and listeners from throughout the province addressed similar concerns about the perceived lack of support from the government for creating outlets for youth to express their opinions about contemporary Acehnese society.

Age and Education Demographics

Youths from all types of educational background exhibited a vested interest in the peacebuilding processes of Aceh. This finding is significant because it supports the idea that youths of all ages and backgrounds should be involved in the processes of socialization and peacebuilding. A successful lasting peace in Aceh will be ensured only with the support of youths from every area of Aceh’s disparate social geography.

The largest number of FGD participants fell between the ages of 16-20, with the 21-34 year old cohort representing the second largest amount. Age does not appear to be a substantial transforming variable on the knowledge, attitudes, and opinions within the age group of FGD participants. Both younger and older respondents articulated hopes for Aceh maintaining peace, displaying a striking awareness of the tensions that still exist within Acehnese society. This reinforces the importance of seeking to involve the broadest spectrum possible of Acehnese youth in the peace building process.

Gender Findings

In general, male participants emphasized the importance of economic reintegration to a peaceful Aceh; claiming, rightly so, that an increase in prosperity is more likely to ensure a long-lasting peace than the continuation of poverty and unemployment in certain areas. Female participants emphasized the importance of filling the social vacuum of youth activities that exists in certain parts of Aceh. Without adequate opportunities for socially constructive expressions of peace and progress, youths will continue to struggle to break the systems that support an environment of uncertainty about Aceh.

It should be noted that the most active, dynamic participants during the FGDs were overwhelmingly female. There are a variety of reasons that potentially underpin this, but the finding shows both the confidence and articulate nature of female youths while also highlighting the importance of convoking youths of both genders. Some topics were more frequently explored by female participants, such as the impact family has upon peace and conflict. One young woman emphasized the position of the family and its ability to either promulgate or transform conflict saying, “We cannot deal with society’s problems until we first deal with the family.” As children are primarily socialized by their parents, these familial values and attitudes are integral to society at large. Participants of both genders posed serious questions about how youths could make a substantive break in their ideologies from the thinking of their parent’s conflict-ridden generation to a peaceful and integrated society. Continued emphasis on both family and gender issues is integral to a peaceful Aceh. Moreover, the overall FGD gender composition was fairly balanced.1

Geography Matters

It comes as no surprise that the social and physical geography of the province are integral in shaping the attitudes and opinions of the youth. In one focus group discussion, youths from Takengon expressed some of the most skeptical attitudes about the present situation in Aceh, but simultaneously vested great hope in the future with the proper support for youths from the government. Clearly concerned about the economic plight of the Gayo region, participants said that the government needs to do more to ameliorate poverty in the region; if this is not addressed there will remain the underlying risk factors for conflict. FGD participants reported that guns still circulate in the community which induces anxiety, especially considering the looming 2009 elections. Participants were excited about and supportive of Geundeurang Damee because they said it was the type of activity that encourages creative expressions of peace in youths, which is sorely needed to combat the negative influences from violence and conflict.

The opinions and concerns of listeners in southwest Aceh (Meulaboh, Blang Pidie) were markedly different in some ways than those expressed in other areas of Aceh. Participants were skeptical of the MoU, as were youths in many other parts of the province. However, several questioned the very legitimacy of the MoU, saying that it did not serve justice. Participants there, as in Takengon, cited tourism as a possible stabilizing influence that could prevent the resurgence of violence. Respondents also questioned the government’s ability to follow through on its promises to help pay for the education of conflict victims.
1 For more complete gender disaggregated data, please refer to the full Bahasa Indonesia Youth View Report.

The feedback received in Biruen, Sigli and Lhokseumawe focused on some of the successes that have been achieved since the MoU, while also expressing apprehensions about the stability of society with the upcoming elections. Youth described the upswing in violent activity recently as both scary and upsetting. One listener quipped, “What is the government talking about when they say ‘peace in Aceh’ while there are still people being shot?” One respondent spoke sorrowfully of seeing the persistence of the same command structures from the conflict era, where older boys bully younger boys to commit petty crime in order to gain the approval of the older boys.

In questions pertaining to the feasibility of maintaining peace in Aceh, respondents more frequently felt that orderliness (ketertiban) is needed, and emphasized the need for citizens to act responsibly. Participants in this region vested more faith in the abilities of government officials to lead Aceh into a successful future than youth participants from Takengon and the West coast. Youths spoke of feeling like they have to believe deep in their hearts in the MoU in order to secure a safe future. It should also be noted that faith in the MoU is not unanimous - there were many participants who faulted the MoU for providing the appearance of a piece on paper that has distracted from real life challenges, and that lasting peace has yet to be achieved.

Conclusion

This Youth View Report is by no means exhaustive in terms of data collection and analysis, but provides an important lens into the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Acehnese youth, with regard to issues of peace in a democratic society. By bringing together youth from all walks of life, across gender and geographic lines SFCG is pleased to provide the space for youth to express their views in a positive, proactive manner. The commonalities and the differences expressed by the youth in the media produced by SFCG’s production team, as well as those expressed in discussions with youth in Aceh are sources of both hope and affirmation of the hard work of so many who have contributed to peace in Aceh. SFCG believes that continued engagement with youth across Aceh’s civil society will yield further findings to help inform public debate on critically important post-conflict development issues. SFCG welcomes stakeholder input into how we can more effectively enhance the collective body of knowledge generated as a result of the Aceh Youth Radio pilot project.