President Sukarno of Indonesia

President Sukarno of Indonesia:

Speech at the Opening of the Bandung Conference, April 18, 1955

This twentieth century has been a period of terrific dynamism. Perhaps the last fifty years have seen more developments and more material progress than the previous five hundred years. Man has learned to control many of the scourges, which once threatened him. He has learned to consume distance. He

has learned to project his voice and his picture across oceans and continents. He has learned how to make the desert bloom and the plants of the earth increase their bounty. He has learned how to release the immense forces locked in the smallest particles of matter.

But has man's political skill marched hand-in-hand with his technical and

scientific skill? The answer is No! The political skill of man has been far outstripped by technical skill, The result of this is fear. And man gasps for safety and morality.

Perhaps now more than at any other moment in the history of the world,

society, government and statesmanship needs to be based upon the highest code

of morality and ethics. And in political terms, what is the highest code of morality? It is the subordination of everything to the well being of mankind. But today we are faced with a situation where the well being of mankind is not always the primary consideration. Many who are in places of high power think, rather, of controlling the world.

Yes, we are living in a world of fear. The life of man today is corroded and

made bitter by fear. Fear of future, fear of hydrogen bomb, fear of ideologies.

Perhaps this fear is a greater danger than the danger itself, because it is fear, which drives men to act foolishly, to act thoughtlessly, to act dangerously.

All of us, I am certain, are united by more important things than those,

which superficially divide us. We are united, for instance, by a common

detestation of colonialism in whatever form it appears. We are united by a

common detestation of racialism. And we are united by a common determination

to preserve and stabilize peace in the world. We are often told, "Colonialism is dead." Let us not be deceived or even soothed by that. I say to you, colonialism is not yet dead. How can we say it is dead, so long as vast areas of Asia and Africa are unfree.

And, I beg of you do not think of colonialism only in the classic form, which

we of Indonesia, and our brothers in different parts of Asia and Africa, knew.

Colonialism has also its modern dress, in the form of economic control, intellectual control, and actual physical control by a small but alien community within a nation. It is a skillful and determined enemy, and it appears in many guises. It does not give up its loot easily. Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and one which must be eradicated from the earth . . . .

Source:

(Excerpt taken from Africa-Asia Speaks from Bandong,

(Djakarta Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1955, 19-29)

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  Note down your opinions and reactions to the

questions. During the discussion with your teacher and classmates, offer your

personal reaction and understanding of the text.

1. Do you think politics has changed much since the time of President

Sukarno?

2. Why did President Sukarno want everyone to be united?

3. What is the new kind of colonialism that President Sukarno is talking

about? Does it still exist? If yes, please describe in what ways? Support

your answers with examples.

4. From this article, can you figure out President Sukarno's hopes and

dreams for the world? Explain.

5. What are your hopes and dreams for the world and especially for your

country? Describe.

6. Do you think President Sukarno was able to realize his dreams and hopes?

If yes, how?

7. According to President Sukarno, peace is very important. What do you

think? Discuss.

8. If you were given a chance to give a speech in front of all the presidents

and prime ministers of the world, what would you talk about? Discuss in

details.

PERSONAL JOURNAL WRITING

Take a moment to think why hopes and dreams are necessary for success in life. It is said that those who do not hope and dream, do nothing in life. Write down why it is so. If you want, share with your classmates.

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Examples to express hope:

- I want to become a doctor.

- I am hoping to finish all my work on time.

- I hope I will realize all my dreams.

- I hope that I will always be honest.

- I hope that I will never lie.

- I hope that I will never smoke.

- I want to get my homework done.

How to Congratulate

Congratulating is the act of expressing joy and acknowledgment for

achievement and success of other people.

Congratulating

Very well done. Congratulations!!

Good job! No one deserves it more

than you do.

Fantastic! Congratulations on

getting the first prize.

Marvelous! I am so proud of you.

Great! You did it. Your hard work

paid at last.

Responding

Thank you.

Thank you, your saying this means a

lot to me.

Thanks! I still can't believe it

happened. I have been dreaming

about it for a long time.

Thanks! I am happy to make you

proud.

It was nothing special. Thank you!