GEDUNG NASKAH , House of the documents

Indonesia proclaimed its Independance from Holland in 1945. Many steps and meetings still had to be taken to help the Dutch recognize that the world had changed and that 350 years of colonialism had served their time.

Linggarjati was such a moment, a moment of insight and vision by both Indonesia and Holland who saw that it was possible to enter a new area of history without bloodshed. Linggarjati will be known as THE HOUSE OF THE DOCUMENTS, the house were even for a short time reason and insight prevailed. The Linggarjati Agreement, ratified on march 27, has a very profound meaning. It is a monument to human values that the spirit of dialogue and goodwill can prevail in a world that is so often dominated by force. It was at Linggarjati that the Netherlands de facto recognized the fledling Republic of Indonesia.

What can Linggarjati mean for all the young Indonesians who visit the museum, as well as all the visiting students from other countries? Especially in an area were so many young people are looking for an idea to give content and meaning in life.

Linggarjati was another step for the new Indonesia, for the Indonesians as a whole towards democracy. With India and others, Indonesia can be proud to be one of the biggest democratic states in Asia

Democracy is a journey, sometimes a disappointing, confusing, painfull path, that is created only by walking it. In this global pluralisitc society, each nation is experiencing itself as a pluralistic nation.

Through the communications explosion, we are open to much which was never before available. Such a proliferation of experiences has had an effect on us not only as " learning creatures" but also as worldciticens. We find ourselves asking questions, which we never before asked; we find ourselves experiencing realities, which we had never before experienced. All of this makes new demands on us. Especially for the teeming millions of youth in Indonesia, Asia and the Middle East.

A new generation is replacing the Dutch and Indonesian statesmen, who were in Linggarjati in 1947 . The Indonesian have seen their nation struggle with rapid change in the last 50 years, and the expanding comlications of life have shaken Indonesia as they have all nations. Those expanding dimensions are forcing every nation in this global age into creating new patterns of intellectual thought, as well as fresh expressions of cultural and spiritual content.

The initiatif of many people of all ages to preserve 350 years of common Indonesian and Dutch history in the GEDUNG NASKAH deserves the support of both the Indonensian and Dutch government.

Students today, just like my generation just after World War II, take things more seriously than most of us took them in the past.. They ask questions. They ask about democracy, independance a pluralistic society. They ask pragmatic questions : " Does democracy work? Does it make a difference? Has it been making a difference these last 60 years?

These are valid questions. Each citicen of a 'democratic' nation should ask himself: " Are democracy and independance making a difference in my life, in my nation; and what is that difference?"

To change the GEDUNG NASKAH , the House of the Domcuments into a museum were 350 years of common history of Indonesia and Holland are nurtured and given form, will that appeal to young people?

I suggest this museum should have then three coherent and complementary tasks.

1. To keep our historical and cultural heritage

2. To contribute to the debate on contempory social themes such as digitalilsation, multiculturalisation, globalising of cultures and religions and the increasing familiarity; with other world religions.

3. To provide critical reflection on the fundamental truths that are hidden in an Indonesian, Asian democratic existence.

April 2004, Joty ter Kulve.