International Seminar on Heritage Education for Schools in Indonesia
Address by Simon R. Molesworth AM QC (Chairman; International National Trusts Organization – INTO)
Hello, I’m Simon Molesworth, the Chairman of INTO, the International National Trusts Organisation.
I am sorry that I’m not there in person with you at this very important seminar, the International Seminar on Heritage Education in Schools in Indonesia. It is a very important project, a very important project for Indonesia.
Now first, INTO. INTO is the International National Trusts Organisation, comprising heritage trusts and National Trusts from around the globe. We have about 42 members at the moment representing about 5.5 million people who all share a vision about the better understanding and protection of cultural heritage. And one of our members is BPPI, the Indonesian Heritage Trust. We are very glad to have Indonesia as one of the earliest members of INTO.
I would like to congratulate BPPI and the Netherlands Institute for Heritage on the initiative of this programme, this Project. Education is such an important part of heritage conservation.
Now the Dutch have had a very long tradition of valuing and safeguarding their heritage. From the Netherlands, the Gelderland Trust has been one of the founding members of INTO and the Gelderland Trust itself has a proud tradition of caring for a magnificent portfolio of properties.
I understand that the Indonesian Government through the Centre for Curriculum, Department of National Education, and the Department of Culture and Tourism have both been enthusiastic supporters of this Project. Also at the regional level, the Education Agency Yogyakarta Special Territory is also a supporter. To all these agencies of Government may I convey our congratulations for their participation.
Now as part of my speech today I want to address three themes: (1) Intergenerational Equity; (2) the concept of a “Sense of Place”; and (3) Inspirational Education. Let me deal first with Intergenerational Equity.
Intergenerational Equity: that is one of the cornerstone principles of sustainability. In essence it means that we the present generation have inherited the world, the environment, from our forebears – those that have come before us – and we hold it in trust now for future generations, so that we can hand over to those that follow. This principle calls for decision makers to consider, have regard to, all the impacts on and implications for the future.
Now the primary focus of this principle has always been on the current generation, how we today can go about our business, how we do things today; but it is nevertheless very much a “two-way” concept. Just as we today have obligations to the future, so too the generation that follows must be ready to take on the responsibility to be the future custodians. For this to work, we today have to prepare the way for the future. We can’t expect much of those who follow, if we do not assist them to be aware of the values – the value of heritage. This means that education is essential; we today must pass on our knowledge; pass on our enthusiasm for our heritage. We must help those that follow us to open their eyes, their ears, all their senses – their minds – to all the reasons why we believe our heritage deserves to be safeguarded, indeed cherished.
I now want to address the principle of “A Sense of Place”. The term “A Sense of Place” is a wonderful concept. It is basically about connectivity – the connection of a person, and their community, to their place. It is about allowing a person to understand their origins, their cultural roots – where they came from. Heritage education is all about helping people to find their Sense of Place.
It helps people to find their “place” in this world – in time – in their moment in history. I sincerely believe that an understood Sense of Place truly assists communities to find stability – to arrive at a position of knowing their place from which to plan their futures. Heritage education in schools has great potential to assist young people to achieve this knowledge which is so important – their Sense of Place.
Now I finally want to address Inspirational Education. Heritage education has every opportunity to inspire people – to ignite that flame for learning more – because heritage, told the right way, the interesting way, is all about stories. Human history is full of excitement, challenge, achievement, adversity and triumph. The history which is built in to every item of heritage can be as good as the best story, the best film. It can be colourful; it can be inspiring. It is all in the telling – in heritage education. Do it well and win a young heart for ever; do it particularly well and win a community ready to take the custodianship of our heritage – when their time comes.
So when all of you attending this Seminar think about the presentations, and debate the concepts and consider the good advice you will hear – remember that what you are focussing on could not be more important. Indeed, in human terms, you are laying the foundations for the future.
I now close by wishing you all, the conference participants, every best bit of good luck for a successful conference. I trust your discussions will be effective and that the outcomes will be of great benefit to all Indonesians, but most of all to the younger generation, the school students, who will one day have passed on to them the responsibility to care for Indonesia’s heritage.
Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, as chairman of INTO, to address your conference albeit from a very far distant point on this globe. But I feel as though I’m there with you and I know that the outcomes will make a difference for us all: for Indonesian heritage, for global heritage.
Good luck and thank you for convening this very important Seminar. Good bye.
