IVED 2012: Bakrie Takes National Crown, Makes History

Aryo Febrian (Universitas Bakrie 1) speaks in IVED 2012 Grand Final

“ The winners of IVED 2012 proved it is possible for any Indonesian university, even new ones, to excel in English competitive debating and compete with more established institutions as long as they work hard. The best novice team award went to Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta 1 (Rasman, Retno Rahma Safitri, Tika Destiratri) that defeated Universitas Hasanuddin 2 (Erwin Katunde, Framita Rahman, Maman) in a separate final.”

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta teams (Zyah, Niki, Pipit, Writer, Tika, Retha, Risti, Egi)

Universitas Bakrie is now part of the small elite club of national debating champions. #3 Bakrie 1 (Aryo Febrian, Mutiara Hapsari, Yudha Mustafa) won the15th Indonesian Varsities English Debate last night, dashing Universitas Indonesia’s hope of grabbing the national title for the ninth time. Seven out of nine grandfinal judges thought #1 UI 1 (Aulia Anggita, Bramesada Prasastyoga, Egalita Irfan) had come short in blocking Bakrie’s proposal to require multinational corporations give 5% of their profit to development funds.The victory recorded a list of milestones. The school, first established in 2006, is the youngest by far among the colleges that have won IVED. The 5 other institutions all are more than three decades old. The winning speakers are part of the inaugural generation of Bakrie debaters. Last night was not only their first IVED win, it was their first victorious campaign in a major nationwide debating tournament. Before IVED 2012, they even had not debated beyond the IVED prelims. In IVED 2010, Aryo, Mutiara and Yudha also debated together but they only ended 10 spots below the last breaking team.

Signs of progress became clear last year. In February 2011, Yudha and Mutiara reached the semifinals of the ALSA Unpad E-Challenge. In May, Aryo and Yudha were part of a Bakrie team that topped the tab of the ALSA UI E-Comp, the longest running debate tournament in Indonesia, although they failed to go far in the knockouts. A few weeks later, they bagged their first trophy in Macau of all places. Aryo and Yudha were members of a squad that won the EFL category of the 2011 United Asian Debating Championships. Later on, Aryo reached the last debate of the National Universities English Debating Championships and two other grand finals, with 3 different partners. He also ended as fourth best in the 2011 Debater of the Year list. They were waiting for their big moment and it came in the country’s top tournament.

The winners of IVED 2012 proved it is possible for any Indonesian university, even new ones, to excel in English competitive debating and compete with more established institutions as long as they work hard. The best novice team award went to Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta 1 (Rasman, Retno Rahma Safitri, Tika Destiratri) that defeated Universitas Hasanuddin 2 (Erwin Katunde, Framita Rahman, Maman) in a separate final.

Repost from: Indodebate

Believe it or not: winning the novice IVED 2012

It is already in the midnight right now, 12.58. The picture is still clear inside my head. I was, two days ago, in University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) holding the trophy as the first winner of Novice category of Indonesian Varsities English Debate (IVED) 2012. It was really a huge struggle after battling for many times with other teams. I was there in a podium speaking for eight minutes in front of hundreds of best Indonesian debaters. Being affirmative team, with Tika Destiratri and Pipit, finally we kick opponent ass on the motion “THBT sex workers should refuse to perform their services to prospective married client”. We were facing Hassanudin University, Makassar, in the grand final.
Before all of that achievements, we had already kicked some asses. Bunda Mulia University, Airlangga University, Padjajaran University, Semarang University, Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, and some others were all defeated. We were felt not really lucky before, for not having broken to main break’s octofinals. It was just our team standing in the rank 17th, one more step to get a ticket to the big 16. However, we finally still saw the opportunity for becoming the 1st rank in the Novice category. We finally should be ready for battling Satya Wacana catholic University 2,  Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta 2, University of Muhammadiyah Malang 1, Padjadjaran University1, Hasanuddin University 2, Hasanuddin University Semarang University 1.
 

Restore the image of Conservatism/fundamentalism.

Everyone faces the changing in the different way. However, it must be not a matter. It is everyone’s freedom to interprete. There should be a different treat to different views… . …. just a reflection to all of us to not to easily judge others. It is needed, the people who are open minded, and can see another perspective before their glasses. Therefore, there will be no any misunderstanding…

To make it balance, because the previous post describes about the restoring the image of liberalism, now it is the time to brings the problem of image of conservatism/fundamentalism. Commonly, conservatism is described as a term used to certain people whose action is old-fashioned, orthodox, hardcore, and closed people. In terms of religion, it is commonly described as an hard action to force other to do certain action. This terms, then, is connected to the terrorism action. The reason is simple, and not logical actually. It’s because the most of, for instance, the terrorists are fundamentalism.

The terms religion fundamentalism can be defined into two. First, it is the idea that it connects to the much obeying all the God’s messages. Thus, it leads into an idea that it is too much obeying. The second definition commonly relates to the idea that the fundamentalism is the terms to people whose their interpretation towards holy book is textual. It claims that the changing of the time is happening, so that the interpretation should follow. Unfortunately, those lead into bad perspectives to the terms and is the wrong way to step in.

Let’s analyze the first definition. It is clearly that obeying all the God’s rules is not something we worried about. Thus, putting the stigma of bad image on conservatism can lead into an assumption that obeying all the God’s rules is also bad or, if it is less moderate, the assumption will be, fully obeying is dangerous. Second definition most likely to talk about the differences of the interpretations that might be possible. If the problem is really because of textually interpretation, so should it be a justification to degrade their position as a potential attacker? Everyone faces the changing in the different way. However, it must be not a matter. It is everyone’s freedom to interprete. There should be a different treat to different views.

The issue of whether religion is private or public sphere also rising hardly between conservatives and non-conservatives. It is somehow problematic. Something that is likely true is that they are arguing different views because they see from different glasses. The non-conservatism tend to ignore the argument based on religion. It means that they see more largely on the close-secularism. That’s why they believe that the religion is private sphere. Thus, there should be none interfere it. However, it tends to be seen narrowly when there is a people believe that others have been interfered the private sphere, when, for instance, ask to do pray. This is not the case. On the other hand, the conservatism tend to deliver their perspective based on religion, a bit ignoring the secularism point of view. Thus, it leads into the belief that everyone should remind each other about prayer to God.      They argue that the goodness they have got from God should be spread to others as well. Indeed, this is not really a threat to others. The one who feel threaten by this is the one who do not really have the strong belief. That’s why never put blame on this people.

The statement above doesn’t reflect that pros-secularism is non-conservative, and cons-secularism is conservative. Because there is also another parts of citizen who are being otherwise. This post is just a reflection to all of us to not to easily judge others. It is needed, the people who are open minded, and can see another perspective before their glasses. Therefore, there will be no any misunderstanding.

Restore the image of liberalism

“… this terms is commonly not comprehensively described. Most of the time, people generalized this as the ideology where everyone is free to do what they want without any limitation. It is said that in liberalism people are free to for instance consume drugs, drink alcohol, smoking or kill people. Indeed, the fact says otherwise. It has the limitation… .”

Liberalism is still being discussed among Indonesian society. Most of them are trying to analyze whether it is suit with the background of the country. Unfortunately, this terms is commonly not comprehensively described. Most of the time, people generalized this as the ideology where everyone is free to do what they want without any limitation. It is said that in liberalism people are free to for instance consume drugs, drink alcohol, smoking or kill people. Indeed, the fact says otherwise. It has the limitation. That’s why, in liberal countries also have the law. It is a sign of preventive action from the freedom which has been harmed the others. So, there’ll be no such anarchy actions like what most of the people are worried about.

It is to narrow to talk liberalism just in that border. Actually, this terms would like to change the collectivism who make individuals are not free to choose what they desirably want to choose. In collectivism. individuals are indirectly forced to follow such pattern that has been there for along time. If individuals do not follow it, there will be like a stereotyping toward them. For example, a person is actually want to go to university and take course Psychology, Management, or economics. However, he get a huge barrier of collectivism which state that the successful man is someone who become a teacher, a doctor, or some identical jobs. This is specifically happen in most of villages. Other cases also happen because of the collectivism. It’s a matter of how a people cannot determine their future freely by their own willingness. However, not all of the collectivism should be banned by liberalism for some is still reliable. It’s not justifiable to, for instance, force the collectivism to not to take away the ideas that want to prevent the individuals from doing such things that would break their life directly and indirectly. it is like the case of tighting the rule of banning drugs and alcohol.

It was actually clear from above explanation, that purely liberalism is not that bad for life. Most of people are disappointing and reject it because having realize of the fact that there are many destruction in countries where it is stood still. Yeah, we cannot deny that there’s so much misusing of this term. It makes the bad image of this.

That’s why for you who highly support the liberalism, please restore the image of it. You cannot consume drugs in the name of liberalism. You cannot legalize prostitution under this umbrella. Never defense yourself behind the wall of liberalism to celebrate consuming alcoholic drinking. Never say it before doing rape, killing, crimes and others. You are not liberal at that moment. That’s why please keep it pure.

A lesson from IP MAN Movie: “never sell your identity!”

“…everyone would not be undefeated person forever. As the time passed by, you become older and finally you’ll be easily defeated by others. Never try to only gain power, try to always synchronize your brain, heart, and soul proven by a good attitude… . For him, there’s no other hurting moment but when others trying to put off the others identity or culture. He was also a person who seemed to be very angry and disappointed to see the others Chinese people were taking advantage under the occupying and ‘sell’ their identity… .”

I’ve just watched the inspiring Chinese movie entitled IP man. This movie pictures the era when China was under the occupying of British. IP man is kung fu movie, that’s why it doesn’t describe the complete situation under the occupation. It just specifically gives the picture of Chinese kung fu called wing chun.

Briefly, this movie tells the struggle of one of the famous founder of wing chun kung fu named Yip. This person is actually the teacher of the famous kung fu actor Bruce Lee. It is told in the movie that Yip was struggling to fight against the western boxer who has mocked at Chinese kung fu. He said that Chinese kung fu’s weak and just like a dance. This made the Yip angry and finally challenged that person to fight on the ring. Finally, after struggling in hours and rounds, Yip succeeded to take an avenged of the Chung’s death (another great Chinese kung fu teacher who had been defeated before).

Yip really inspired me. Although he was the best kung fu fighter, his personal attitude was very manner. He never used his ability to do crimes. Even, he chose to not to fight if there’s a problem if it was possible. He wasn’t arrogant man. Keeping his dignity, for them was not by fighting but attitude.

One of the most inspiring quotes is when he told to his pupil. He said that everyone would not be undefeated person forever. As the time passed by, you become older and finally you’ll be easily defeated by others. Never try to only gain power, try to always synchronize your brain, heart, and soul proven by a good attitude. This was touching words. It is now really hard to find someone like him. Generally, people will become more arrogant as his power, ability, and authority greater than before. Commonly, people are trying to see others through underestimating views when he gets little power.

The other inspiring action in that movie is when the Yip never got up to defense their identity. He believed that it was very essential to certain people or society. For him, there’s no other hurting moment but when others trying to put off the others identity or culture. He was also a person who seemed to be very angry and disappointed to see the others Chinese people were taking advantage under the occupying and ‘sell’ their identity. He hated the people who made cooperation with British while the identity was at risk. Hm, it’s really inspiring. Nowadays, quantify how much people who struggle the identity. Someone is possibly losing their identity as they started to think about themselves and try to get as much advantages as possible, go along with the drift, and sell their identity only to get the proud.

What’s freedom looks like?

To some people, freedom is defined as doing anything they want. While the others believe that freedom is limited when it harms another people’s freedom. Yeah, this definition is much more moderate. However, the citizens were interpreting that the freedom is destructive.

Freedom is one of the well-known terms today. Most of the people agree with the idea of freedom. Though, it, however, has different interpretation. To some people, freedom is defined as doing anything they want. While the others believe that freedom is limited when it harms another people’s freedom. Yeah, this definition is much more moderate. However, the citizens were interpreting that the freedom is destructive.

This is what I call interpretation textually. It is maybe happen because of there are many incidents in their surrounding which is, they claim, too much and wide freedom.
On the other hand, the people to whom those parts of citizens say the freedom is destructive believe that recently, there are so many freedoms that have been limited and being harmed. How it occurs? Guess what happen next? WAR.

Take a classical debate about hijab and the freedom of women. Here, I would like to show you how the existence of Hijab (veil) may give two perspectives. While some of the women say it harms their freedom, others argue that wearing it give the freedom.
First, some of them believe that veil is the treatment that limits the right of the women to express their body autonomies right. It is also sometimes added with the argument that the women should be equal with men. Wearing it is such like putting them under men. Secondly, others against to that argument. They argue that it is the freedom. When wearing it, they argue that they feel protected. They also feel secure from any disturbance especially for their women esteem. This is what they called getting freedom from insecure. This is very fundamental for every human being to get this freedom.

So, the conclusion is that both have different standard of truth and different perspective. The first one looks concerned on how that every people should pursue everything they wanna get. Meanwhile, the second one concerned that it should not. The second one concerned that we should limit our desire (nafsu). What is the better one? It’s something that make your heart peaceful and secure.

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IVED 2012: Prepared Motions

The lead adjudicators of the 2012 Indonesian Varsities English Debate have launched prepared motions for 4 unspecified rounds. IVED has 9 rounds – 5 preliminaries and 4 knockouts. This year the de-facto national championships will take place at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang from February 7 to 11. The prepared motions are as follows:

Economy
THW introduce a financial transaction tax
THW forgive student debt
THBT the government should not treat water as a basic human rights, but rather as a commodity

Modern Society
THW provide free broadband internet services for everyone
THW give tax breaks/credits for those who choose to commit into a covenant marriage
THW require online gaming companies to compensate therapy costs for players who become addicted to MMORPGs

Women
THBT developing countries should embrace reproductive tourism
THBT the Arab Spring has been a disaster for women
THBT the feminist movement should celebrate Disney Princesses

International
THW expand the permanent membership of the UN Security Council
THBT Pakistan should abandon its collaboration with the USA in the War on Terror
THBT the West should push on with its plan to embargo Iranian oil

Chief Adjudicator: Eldhianto Jusuf (UGM)
Deputies: Satrio Adi Pratama (Undip), Dwita Aryani (Unpar), Sabarrudin Adinugroho (Binus)
from: http://indodebate.blogspot.com

The thinking of Agnoticism

It is so interested to know about agnostic people. It seems (a bit) funny. They strongly believe that all streams of religion is bad and cannot define the words of God. However, rather than trying to study and interpret about, for instance Al Quran, with the knowledge of commentary it, the agnostic people are commonly founded stuck as just skeptical persons. It really doesn’t stand under my logic.

Maybe there are some of you who are not familiar yet with the word Agnosticism. Well, to make it clearer, it is one of the thinking about faith that is placed between religion and atheism. As far as I know, the diagnosis of the people who are indicated belong to agnosticism is that they try to question about the truth of the religion right now. They argue that the holy verse from God is misinterpreted. They don’t belong to any stream of certain religion. They are particularly known as the people who do not do what the people with religion do. Different with atheism, agnosticism agree that the God is exist.

For example, in Islamic agnosticism are the people who believe that Allah is almighty, the god of the universe. However, they are not practicing shalat, particularly fasting and other things that the usual people agree as the fundamental of the religion. They claim that there is no any true interpretation in defining the words of God. The agnostic people are generally feeling so. They believe that there is no any stream in Islam which is true.

It is so interested to know about agnostic people. It seems (a bit) funny. They strongly believe that all streams of religion is bad and cannot define the words of God. However, rather than trying to study and interpret about, for instance Al Quran, with the knowledge of commentary it, the agnostic people are commonly founded stuck as just skeptical persons. It really doesn’t stand under my logic.

It is also interested to know that most of them realize themselves as people who do not have the knowledge of interpreting the holy book but they commonly judge the people who have interpreted it, Although the people who do interpretation have studied about it in high education, they still stand with their argument.

Maybe one of the respond they could say is that, yeah, maybe the teacher of the teachers of a person who interpreted the quran also made mistake. “That’s why; also, we do not want to study about it. It is because we think there is no place of education that has the pure teachers. Hmm. If it is really the reason they have, it’s clear that most of them only assume, not finding fact. Therefore, they are also judging before knowing.

Another reason maybe because of not willing to be just a follower of certain streams. However, it’s clear that there’s none in this world live without becoming one of the followers of certain things. Even, there are also many of the agnostic people who only the follower despite the real agnostic. It is also happened in the case of streams of religion. There are people who only follow, but the others do not. It is also interested to know that there are none in this earth that are not influenced by others. It means that all of us are followers, right? But different things to follow.

I think the agnostic people think skeptically because the condition in their environment which is bad and do not represent what the religion should be. It is estimated because of there are many of preacher for instance who do such enforcement and or wrong attitude. It turns into premature justification of this people. It becomes greater right now after the rising of terrorists issue that is committed with religion misinterpreted.

Worried for not discipline enough.

Some people ever feel worried. The others are trapped on their paranoia and fear. It is what I used to be. Sometimes it’s just too much fear authorizing in the heart. I am just perplexed to find the source of this feeling. Sometimes, I am just frustrated of not being able to kick it away from my head and affection.

All the praise is to Allah, now I can move on without worrying about something that even never happens. I would like to share what I concerned to do to put the feeling away.

Based on my experience, people are worried because of two reasons. First, there is too much negative thinking inside the mind. You are what you think. That was the simple quote that very inspires me. Yea, indeed, it is true. If you think you can, you are right, if not, you are also right. Second, is too much postponing something that should be done. It, then, makes the jobs are accumulated and piled up. Guess, what happen next. It is REGRETTING. Yeah, you will regret for not doing what you should do. I believe that the feeling of regretting is a key to make a person worried.

Take a simple instance; it’s about postponing of taking prayer. I think, based on my experience, it is the main problem of having worried. It takes much energy to postpone prayer. So, if you are now having the feeling of worried, try to pray five times in the mosque in time. Then, see what will happen next (the words of Mario Teguh  ).

I think that is the lesson for today. I hope it will be useful. It is also to remind me how to solve the worried problems if it is someday happen again. However, I expect it would not happen again and should not happen again.

Now, it’s time to sleep. Don’t postpone it.