NEWS
Harmonizing Diversity: ECCO Foundation Drives Youth Tolerance Through “IDEA Voices of Peace”
In an increasingly interconnected yet diverse society, cultivating mutual respect and understanding among the younger generation is essential for long-term community harmony. To address this, ECCO Foundation launched IDEA Voices of Peace, a dedicated youth-led peacebuilding initiative designed to foster deep tolerance, environmental awareness, and cross-cultural appreciation among high school students (SMA/SMK) across Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB).
Adapted from the proven Tunas Bineka educational format, the program establishes safe, inclusive spaces where diverse young people can connect, break down cultural barriers, engage in meaningful dialogue, and collaborate creatively. The ultimate goal is to empower youth to amplify their voices to build a more peaceful and inclusive Lombok.
A Structured Approach to Inclusive Youth Dialogue
To build trust and deep connections among students from different cultural and religious backgrounds, ECCO Foundation executed the program across two main phases:
1. IDEA Goes to School I: Planting the Seeds of Tolerance
The initiative began with direct school visitations across 10 selected high schools in Mataram. ECCO Foundation facilitators led interactive, participatory sessions focusing on teamwork, empathy, and the core principles of inclusivity.
2. IDEA Goes to School II: Creative Collaboration
Following the school visits, ECCO Foundation hosted an intensive 4-day summit bringing together 50 student leaders. This immersive experience provided safe spaces for sharing personal stories, building cross-cultural friendships, and collaborating on original art pieces.
Key Achievements: Creative Milestones for Peace
The IDEA Voices of Peace program has yielded tangible, inspiring results that showcase the true power of community arts in peacebuilding:
- Active Youth Engagement: Directly impacted 200 high school students across 10 major educational institutions in Mataram.
- A Voice Through Music: Participants collaboratively wrote and produced an original song and music video, which has been officially published on the ECCO Foundation YouTube channel to spread messages of peace globally.
- Proven Peacebuilding Model: Demonstrated that art, music, and guided dialogue serve as highly effective tools for bridging differences among highly diverse youth demographics.
Through this initiative, ECCO Foundation continues to prove that sustainable peace begins when young people are given the safe space to listen, create, and heal together.