The Significance of Catholic Youth in Political Education

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 74 views

The Role of Catholic Youth in Political Education in North Sumatra: A Critical Review

Introduction

North Sumatra, a region with a rich cultural and religious heritage, has long been a fertile ground for youth organizations to play an active role in socio-political life. Among these organizations, the Catholic Youth Commission has been a prominent force, committed to addressing various social and political issues. This research aims to explore the role of the North Sumatra Catholic Youth Commission in political education, examining the implementation of political education and its impact on shaping political awareness in society.

The Significance of Catholic Youth in Political Education

Catholic youth, as a youth organization, has a unique position in the socio-political landscape of North Sumatra. Rooted in religious values, they understand that their activities cannot be separated from the practical realities of politics. History has shown that Catholic youth have been actively involved in various political movements in Indonesia, giving birth to many leaders who have played a significant role in national politics. This legacy has instilled a sense of responsibility among Catholic youth to carry out political education, shaping the political awareness of society.

Theoretical Framework

This research employs the theory of political education and the goals of political education by Kartini Kartono, as well as the theory of organizational behavior by Stephen P. Robbins. The descriptive qualitative research method is used, with data collection techniques including interviews and literature studies. The informants and analysis units in this study are cadres and leaders of the North Sumatra Catholic Youth Commission, namely Mr. Oloan Simbolon, Mr. Hotdiman Manik, Mr. Maniur Rumapea, and Mr. Johannes Naibaho.

The Implementation of Political Education

The results of the analysis show that political education carried out by the North Sumatra Catholic Youth Commission is still limited to the internal scope of the organization. Political education is implemented through internal seminars and training, which are open to all levels of society. However, Catholic youths have not openly run political education programs for the general public. This limitation indicates that Catholic youth still need to develop strategies to reach a wider community.

Further Analysis

This research provides an interesting picture of the efforts of Catholic youth in carrying out political education. First, the limitations of political education, which are only focused on internal scope, indicate that Catholic youth still need to develop strategies to reach a wider community. Second, the openness of seminars and political education activities for the public shows the great potential of Catholic youth to become more inclusive political change agents.

Recommendation

To increase the role of Catholic youth in political education in North Sumatra, several steps need to be taken:

*** Developing a more structured and systematic political education program *** that can reach the wider community. *** Increasing collaboration with various parties *** such as academics, community leaders, and other youth organizations to strengthen the effectiveness of political education programs. *** Increasing access and information about political education *** to the community, especially for marginal groups and young people.

By doing this, Catholic youth can be more optimal in carrying out the role of a political education agent that has a real impact on the community and realize a just and dignified Indonesian ideal.

Conclusion

This research highlights the importance of Catholic youth in political education in North Sumatra. While they have made significant contributions to shaping political awareness in society, there is still room for improvement. By developing a more structured and systematic political education program, increasing collaboration with various parties, and increasing access and information about political education, Catholic youth can become more effective agents of political change.

Limitations and Future Research Directions

This research has several limitations, including the limited scope of the study and the reliance on a small sample size. Future research should aim to explore the role of Catholic youth in political education in a broader context, including other regions and youth organizations. Additionally, further research should investigate the impact of political education on the political awareness of society, using a more comprehensive and quantitative approach.

Implications for Policy and Practice

This research has several implications for policy and practice. Firstly, it highlights the importance of involving youth organizations in political education, particularly in regions with a rich cultural and religious heritage. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for a more structured and systematic approach to political education, which can reach a wider community. Finally, it underscores the importance of increasing access and information about political education to the community, especially for marginal groups and young people.

References

Kartini Kartono. (2010). Teori Pendidikan Politik. Jakarta: Pustaka Sinar Harapan.
Stephen P. Robbins. (2012). Organizational Behavior. New York: Prentice Hall.
North Sumatra Catholic Youth Commission. (2015). Laporan Tahunan 2015. Medan: Komisi Pemuda Katolik Sumatera Utara.

Appendix

List of informants and analysis units
Interview protocol
Literature review
Data analysis and results
Frequently Asked Questions: The Role of Catholic Youth in Political Education in North Sumatra

Q: What is the significance of Catholic youth in political education in North Sumatra?

A: Catholic youth, as a youth organization, has a unique position in the socio-political landscape of North Sumatra. Rooted in religious values, they understand that their activities cannot be separated from the practical realities of politics. History has shown that Catholic youth have been actively involved in various political movements in Indonesia, giving birth to many leaders who have played a significant role in national politics.

Q: What is the current state of political education among Catholic youth in North Sumatra?

A: The results of the analysis show that political education carried out by the North Sumatra Catholic Youth Commission is still limited to the internal scope of the organization. Political education is implemented through internal seminars and training, which are open to all levels of society. However, Catholic youths have not openly run political education programs for the general public.

Q: What are the limitations of political education among Catholic youth in North Sumatra?

A: The limitations of political education, which are only focused on internal scope, indicate that Catholic youth still need to develop strategies to reach a wider community. This limitation is a major challenge for Catholic youth in North Sumatra, as they aim to become more inclusive political change agents.

Q: What are the recommendations for increasing the role of Catholic youth in political education in North Sumatra?

A: To increase the role of Catholic youth in political education in North Sumatra, several steps need to be taken:

Q: What are the implications of this research for policy and practice?

A: This research has several implications for policy and practice. Firstly, it highlights the importance of involving youth organizations in political education, particularly in regions with a rich cultural and religious heritage. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for a more structured and systematic approach to political education, which can reach a wider community. Finally, it underscores the importance of increasing access and information about political education to the community, especially for marginal groups and young people.

Q: What are the future research directions for this topic?

A: Future research should aim to explore the role of Catholic youth in political education in a broader context, including other regions and youth organizations. Additionally, further research should investigate the impact of political education on the political awareness of society, using a more comprehensive and quantitative approach.

Q: What are the benefits of political education for Catholic youth in North Sumatra?

A: Political education can help Catholic youth in North Sumatra to develop their critical thinking skills, become more aware of their rights and responsibilities, and participate more actively in the political process. It can also help them to develop a sense of social responsibility and to become more engaged in their communities.

Q: What are the challenges facing Catholic youth in North Sumatra in implementing political education?

A: The challenges facing Catholic youth in North Sumatra in implementing political education include limited resources, lack of expertise, and limited access to information and networks. Additionally, they may face resistance from some community members who may be skeptical about the role of youth in politics.

Q: How can Catholic youth in North Sumatra overcome these challenges?

A: Catholic youth in North Sumatra can overcome these challenges by developing a more structured and systematic approach to political education, increasing collaboration with various parties, and increasing access and information about political education to the community. They can also seek support from other organizations and networks to help them overcome these challenges.