The photo of a butter or 'bisbul' tree with colourful bee-hived benches in the profile picture really captures the vision of the school, which is to educate Indonesian younger generation into intellectual, religious, humanistic beings, within the equality and diversity framework. And the proposed initiative becomes a critical and systematic means to fulfil the broad vision.

Bisbul tree (Dyospyospilippensis) has a unique life cycle that it can only live in pairs: male and female. If only male or female tree is planted, the tree cannot grow. For this unique feature, bisbul tree can therefore be used as a symbol illustrating the importance of living together. Moreover, as a tree, regardless of who cultivates it, it never chooses to whom it will give its oxygen. Human beings claim themselves as the highest classified organism, but in reality we still often discriminate the people we are willing to give our help to. The life cycle of tree can teach students, teachers, school staff and society that even a tree (which scientifically is not blessed with a brain to think and a heart to feel) can be so humble and non-disciminatory - but why cant we who have the capacities to think and emphatise be like them?

Around the bisbul tree, bee-house-shaped seats are also installed .The seats are painted in different colors and are functioned to let students unwind and relaxed after they finish their classes. Bee house contains an implicit meaning for protection of the institution of education along with its genuine purposes. Bee itself is a honey-producing animal. As honey tastes sweet, all children are expected to be inspired to 'sweeten’ the relations among them, including to "revitalise" the disharmony that may arise due to the differences. The seats are made colourful to depict the beauty of being different. They are made to circle the tree as an illustration how students are expected to understand that misunderstandings caused by all kinds of differences may be reconciled when they are discussed together.

This living monument demonstrates the strong emphasis that the school puts in promoting peaceful coexistence through the practices of democracy, critical and objective thinking, active participation and empathy. The multicultural research centre that will become an integral part of this multicultural school endeavours to complement the school culture and curriculum by encouraging children and teachers to actively think and respond critically to the existing social issues.

Problem

The proposed initiative is trying to solve the way young people respond to controversial social problems, particularly those related with differences along the lines of religion, ethnicity, race, gender and social status. More specifically, we would like to address the lack of young people’s social and emotional development and their sense of responsibility to the community. Although the Reformation era has begun more than a decade ago in Indonesia, in terms of learning and teaching style, there has not been much significant changes. Students are still often taught to memorise what’s good and bad without having a space to question and rationalise.

Solution

To build a research centre, in which students and teachers are encouraged to be pro-active in solving social problems. Often school only teaches children about empathy or diversity through demonstration of ceremonial events, like celebrations of religious or ethnic occasions. Although this is a way towards building cultural understanding, it can sometimes be superficial and treating it as a sole solution does not necessarily offer systematic changes. Thence, alongside such ceremonial events to convey the visual beauty of diversity, it is equally important to address the prejudicial or stereotyped views about certain group from within. Through reading, collecting data,and analysing like true researchers, children and teachers (as children's role model at school) are altogether expected to challenge their own and others' pre-determined beliefs, to learn to think about and respond to problems more objectively and critically, and thence to search for solutions to the issues concerned.

Example

Using participatory research method, students are positioned to be both subjects and objects of studies. As the subjects,they will be given the chance to conduct their own research and the more experienced team will be guiding them throughout the process. We believe that investigation prompted by excitement can go a longer way than one that is not. During the research process, these students would be nurtured to develop the qualities that researchers possess such as maintaining objectivity, validity and making critical inquiries. Such qualities are essential in developing students’ social and emotional entities, alleviating biased and prejudicial views, as well as supporting students to be active problem-solvers. For example, by investigating the 1998 event, children learn that it was not purely a racial conflict as many resources claimed. Rather, it is an event where sentiments towards certain ethnic group were used as a provocation tool to manipulate a group of people to cause chaos and create diversion from the protests against the New Order Cabinet. It is expected that from this historical example, they learn that being physically different is not the main reason behind conflict outbreaks. It is also hoped that by collecting extensive data and investigating them carefully,they can challenge the societally-endorsed prejudicial beliefs which have the nature to disintegrate our diverse society, and can later be active peace-promoters. As the objects of studies,they will be the sample to measure the efficacy of this initiative;results of which may inform future actions.

Marketplace

Most academic research is often conducted by university students and academia. The research centre that is yet to be launched will be guiding school-age children (14-18 years old) and teachers to learn about research. Academics, undergraduate and postgraduate students will be invited to deliver talks about popular social issues and to inspire the school children and teachers to be more active in endorsing social changes. We have not identified any players who may hinder the growth of this project as yet. However, problems such as children’s lack of motivation to join in our team may occur, and this can be a great challenge to our success.