The revolutionary history of Indonesia is one of youth and student struggle against imperialism. The great radical Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer relentlessly asserted the special role revolutionary youth can play in changing the world into a decent place.
Indonesian youth and students played an important role in overthrowing the Suharto dictatorship in 1998. Australian youth and students played a key role in spreading the anti-Vietnam War campaign in the 1970s and in generating solidarity with the Indonesian democratic movement, as well as the movement for East Timor’s self-determination.
Venezuelan youth are playing a leading role in defending the Bolivarian revolutionary process. The French youth and students’ “second” revolt against the anti-worker laws has also increased our confidence.
Today’s crisis of global capitalism is experienced throughout the world. That’s why we will work to strengthen the connections between the movements generated by people’s oppression under capitalism. The building of links between the international left must also become important in building the movement.
Congratulations on the 35th national Resistance conference. Together we can construct a more humane and equal world.
Gusti Galuh Ratna Sari, National Student League for Democracy, <http://www.lmnd.org>
[Abridged from greetings to the 35th Resistance conference.]
From Green Left Weekly, July 19, 2006.
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