Cahayu Agda Benna Salsabila: Advancing Youth Engagement in Indonesia’s Civil Society

An annual flag-hoisting ceremony on the morning of 17 August has long been a tradition to commemorate Indonesia's Independence Day. The focus is not just on raising the flag, but on the synchronised and skilful march of the 12-member flag-hoisting team.

Although the routine appears flawless, Australia Awards scholar Cahayu Agda Benna Salsabila discovered that achieving such synchronisation demands rigorous mental and physical training. Benna has been selected to join the flag-hoisting team for the Independence Day ceremony at the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, where she is pursuing a masters degree in Development Studies at the University of Melbourne with an Australia Awards Scholarship.

“The movements may look simple—marching in place, turning right, and turning left. The real challenge is getting 12 people to move in unison with precision, as each person has their own pace. Some march fast, others slower,” Benna explained.

Since late April, Benna has been training for the flag-hoisting routine four times a week, dedicating three hours per session, with some sessions extending late well into the night as the ceremony approaches.

“We practice relentlessly until our bodies ache. But the training builds not just physical strength but also mental resilience,” she said.

Benna’s dedication stems from her dream in 2018 when she first attended the Independence Day ceremony at King George Square in Brisbane. It was her first time celebrating Indonesia’s Independence Day abroad, and it ignited a deep sense of nationalism.

“It was a profound experience attending the ceremony overseas. It sparked my desire to one day participate in a flag ceremony in Australia,” she recalled.

Advancing Youth participation

For Benna, being part of the flag-hoisting team is both a patriotic act and a personal milestone in her commitment to youth empowerment.

Since joining Project Child Indonesia, an NGO providing alternative education to children in disaster-prone areas of Yogyakarta, Benna has focused on advancing youth participation. Her involvement led her to the Australia Awards Short Course on Youth Participation in Social Justice Issues in 2022. During the course, she engaged with academics and local government officials in Brisbane and Melbourne to explore ways to enhance youth involvement in promoting social justice.

“We discussed youth rights to participate in politics and their role as agents of change. We explored strategies to increase youth engagement in Indonesia’s democracy,” said Benna, who graduated from Gadjah Mada University’s International Relations undergraduate program in 2020.

Inspired, Benna applied for the Australia Awards Scholarship in 2023, her third attempt, and succeeded. She began her masters studies in February 2024, finding that her chosen field aligns perfectly with her goals.

“I have learned about various social, political, and economic issues globally, which helps me think critically about solutions for complex social problems in Indonesia. It fosters creativity in developing targeted solutions that can drive positive change, especially in remote areas or challenging environments,” she explained. 

In addition to her studies, Benna works part-time as a study abroad mentor at an educational start-up, assisting young Indonesians with scholarship applications, essay reviews, and interview preparations.

Strengthening Indonesia-Australia Relationship

Reflecting on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Australia, Benna values Australia’s support in various development programs. Her appreciation grew during her exchange program at the University of Queensland in Brisbane in 2018 and through her work with Project Child Indonesia (PCI). In addition to the Australia Awards, PCI’s Sekolah Sungai received a grant from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Alumni Grant Scheme (AGS). This grant enabled disadvantaged children to study online during COVID-19 as part of the Online Learning Assistance (OLA) program, which she helped manage as the Program Manager of PCI. 

Witnessing Australia’s support for PCI and other empowerment programs through the Australia Awards deepened her understanding of the mutual benefits of the Indonesia-Australia relationship and reinforced her commitment to contributing to impactful development initiatives.

“The bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Australia is distinct from what I observe with other countries. It extends beyond high-level officials and has a broader impact, affecting not just me personally but also local communities,” Benna said.

Amplifying Rural Youth Voices

Benna’s studies have deepened her commitment to advancing youth engagement in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas. She aims to empower rural youth, enhancing their capacity and involvement in community-led development.

“Youth have the power to drive change. Their active participation is crucial for the development of a democratic country like Indonesia,” she asserted.

Benna envisions creating inclusive spaces to support youth involvement in rural communities. This would address the imbalance between rural and urban development, which has led young people to leave their villages to seek better opportunities in cities.

“I want them to harness their strength and sense of agency. They have a voice, and their voice matters in their communities. By equipping youth organisations and providing platforms for expression, we can enable them to contribute positively to their communities,” she concluded.