Jatinangor, 2025. Inspired by a TikTok post about youth parliament, Alya Amalia, a fourth-semester student of the Library and Information Science program at Fikom Unpad, decided to apply for the 2025 DPR RI Campus Parliament selection. The Campus Parliament is an educational program by the House of Representatives (DPR RI) that aims to introduce the parliamentary system to university students across Indonesia.
Alya had previously regretted not being able to participate in the Youth Parliament program during high school. However, that regret transformed into new motivation after she learned about the opening of the Campus Parliament selection. At the time, the TNI Bill was a hot topic of discussion among students. Alya realized the importance of deeply understanding an issue before participating in public action.
Real-World Political Experience
The selection for Campus Parliament members was open to all students in the greater Bandung area. Out of many applicants, only 100 participants were selected, including Alya. She was placed in the Sartika Faction, which focuses on issues of education, sports, and technology. Throughout the program, Alya was actively involved in research and discussions, including topics like inclusive education, remote and underdeveloped areas (3T), and education funding.
The most memorable experience for Alya was getting a firsthand look at the work session and plenary session processes, as well as meeting inspiring students from various backgrounds. This activity encouraged Alya to become more active and critical in understanding political and social issues.
Communication as a Main Key
Communication was a significant challenge and learning experience during the program. Alya emphasized the importance of building healthy communication within the faction, respecting differing opinions, and unifying views through discussion. She also highlighted the crucial role of the faction leader in mediating discussions to ensure they remained productive.
The communication and critical thinking skills Alya gained from this activity are now valuable assets. She feels motivated to continue learning and actively voicing her opinions responsibly.
A Message to Students
In closing, Alya urged students to be more aware and critical of political issues. “Read more news, don’t be lazy to find information, and be brave in voicing your opinions. Students must understand the issues being discussed, not just blindly follow along,” she advised.
For more information about the Campus Parliament program, students can access the official DPR RI website at https://www.dpr.go.id or follow its official social media accounts.
Author: Nayvashila Audyna, Student from Public Relation Program Study, Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Padjadjaran
