UN Day 2024 Youth Event Highlights Comics, Creativity and Global Cooperation

Jakarta, October 26, 2024

Climate change, digitization and global peace are the topics of the three comics that won the youth competition organized by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Jakarta, in collaboration with Bumilangit, an entertainment company in Indonesia that features Indonesian superheroes in their comics to commemorate United Nations Day, 24 October.

The "Reshaping the Future" Youth Comic Competition encouraged young Indonesians to use comics as a medium for expressing their thoughts on global challenges. With Bumilangit superheroes as their inspiration, participants creatively explored issues that mattered most to their generation.

Miklos Gaspar, UNIC Director, emphasized the importance of youth engagement through creative platforms:  “Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but are making a difference already today. Initiatives like the comic competition provide a platform for young people to creatively engage with the world’s challenges, allowing them to express their ideas and envision out-of-the-box solutions. UNIC and our partners amplify these voices, as they hold keys to a more sustainable and peaceful future.”

To award the winners and hold a discussion on global challenges and potential solution, UNIC, and the United Nations Association of (UNA) Indonesia hosted the UN Day 2024 celebration at National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta today.

The event engaged the public through interactive activities and discussions on climate change, youth and digital innovation, and global cooperation and peace. At the heart of the discussions was the Pact for the Future, a new global treaty adopted by UN Member States last month, a landmark declaration pledging concrete actions towards a more peaceful and sustainable world for future generations

The winners of the competition showcased their talent. Oei Alice Zita Kusuma, 20, from West Jakarta, depicted Sri Asih fighting crime in a city overwhelmed by floods and waste, highlighting the urgent issue of climate change and pollution. Mischa Sultana Salwa (16) from South Jakarta, focused on youth and digitalization, exploring both the benefits and drawbacks of technology use and with Virgo encouraging its responsible use. Ashley Maryam, 20, also from South Jakarta, centred her comic on global peace, featuring Si Buta, Sri Asih, and Virgo working together to promote cooperation and the role of all in building a peaceful world.

Agung Rachmawan, Vice President of Bumilangit, highlighted the value of collaborating with young talents: “We were thrilled to partner with the UN in this effort. Using our superheroes to inspire youth to think critically about global issues aligned perfectly with Bumilangit’s mission to promote empowerment and inclusivity. This collaboration went beyond just comics; it was about giving young voices a platform to imagine, engage, and create a better future for everyone.”

The UN Day celebration was designed to be more than just an event—it was a call to action for communities to come together, learn, and collaborate. Attendees participated in various interactive activities, such as "Networking Tarot," where they engaged in discussions about personal growth and careers using prompt cards. The "Vision Boards to the UN" activity allowed participants to express their hopes for the future through creative visual boards, while the "Letters to the UN" session offered a symbolic way for attendees to share their messages on plantable seed paper, signifying sustainability and growth.

Bagas Jatikusuma, Secretary General of UNAI, emphasized the transformative role of creativity: “This event demonstrated how creativity can be a powerful tool for positive change. By engaging youth through art and dialogue, we fostered a generation that is not only aware of global challenges but also ready to take action.”

For more information, please contact:

Siska Widyawati
National Communication Officer, UNIC Jakarta
Phone: +62 878-8488-5489