East Jakarta Mayor Sends Off Two Red Cross Youth Members for Exchange Program in Japan

LINTAS86.com, EAST JAKARTA — Two members of Indonesia's Red Cross Youth (PMR) from East Jakarta have officially been sent off to participate in the International Youth Exchange Program with the Japanese Red Cross, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from November 5 to 11, 2026.

The participants are Amirah Salsabila from SMAN 81 Jakarta and Kevin El-Aqsha Hartono Mohamad from SMAN 61 Jakarta. They will join the PMI Jakarta Provincial delegation consisting of 16 participants, including 12 junior and senior high school students and four accompanying mentors.

The send-off ceremony took place during an audience with the Mayor of East Jakarta at the East Jakarta Mayor’s Office on Monday, November 2, 2026. The event reflected the local government's support for young people who have earned the opportunity to represent East Jakarta in an international Red Cross youth exchange program.

In addition to the participants and their families, the event was attended by representatives from schools, educational institutions, and PMI East Jakarta. Their presence highlighted a collective commitment to supporting youth development through humanitarian activities and international exchange initiatives.

The program is part of ongoing humanitarian cooperation between the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Japanese Red Cross, aimed at strengthening friendship and collaboration among young members of both organizations.

Educational Stakeholders Join the Audience Session

The audience session brought together various stakeholders who have contributed to the development of Red Cross Youth members.

Among those in attendance were the participants’ parents, school principals, PMR advisors, education officials from Duren Sawit and Makasar districts, and representatives from the East Jakarta Education Office.

PMI East Jakarta was represented by its chairperson, treasurer, head of education and training, chief administrator, head of youth and volunteer affairs, and other staff members.

The involvement of these stakeholders demonstrated that the achievement of PMR members reaching the international level is the result of continuous support from schools, families, and PMI.

For the education sector, the accomplishment serves as evidence that extracurricular activities not only help students develop their interests and talents but can also open doors to national and international opportunities.

The send-off by the local administration was also a recognition of the students’ dedication and achievements in humanitarian service.

Jakarta Delegation Consists of 16 Participants

For this year's exchange program, PMI Jakarta Province is sending a delegation of 16 members.

Twelve participants are junior and senior high school students from various schools across Jakarta, while four others serve as mentors representing teachers, PMI staff, and PMI provincial officials.

During their stay in Japan, the delegation will take part in a series of activities organized by the Japanese Red Cross.

These activities include educational visits, cultural exchange programs, youth discussion forums, humanitarian knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking opportunities with members of the Japanese Youth Red Cross.

The program is designed to provide participants with firsthand experience of humanitarian practices in Japan while also introducing Indonesian Red Cross Youth activities to their international counterparts.

As a result, participants will serve not merely as visitors but as youth ambassadors carrying Indonesia’s humanitarian values and experiences abroad.

Continuing a Long-Standing Exchange Program

The International Youth Exchange Program with the Japanese Red Cross is part of a long-standing partnership between PMI and the Japanese Red Cross.

In 2025, members of the Japanese Youth Red Cross visited Indonesia as part of a reciprocal exchange initiative involving cultural and humanitarian activities.

This year, members of Indonesia’s Red Cross Youth have the opportunity to make a return visit to Japan.

Such reciprocal exchanges help strengthen friendships between young people from both countries.

Through direct interaction, participants can share experiences related to humanitarian activities conducted in their schools and communities.

Beyond strengthening cooperation between the two Red Cross organizations, the program also serves as a platform for cultural and educational exchange with lasting benefits for participants.

Programs like these are considered valuable because they offer international experiences that cannot be gained through regular classroom learning.

Red Cross Youth as a Platform for Character Development

The participation of PMR members in an international program highlights the important role of school-based humanitarian organizations in youth development.

Red Cross Youth has long been recognized as a platform that promotes humanitarian values, social responsibility, discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

Through activities such as health education, first aid training, blood donation campaigns, disaster preparedness programs, and community service initiatives, members gain experiences that contribute to personal growth and character building.

These experiences become important assets when participating in national and international programs.

For Amirah and Kevin, the opportunity to join the exchange program in Japan represents the next stage of a learning journey that began through their involvement in PMR at school.

The knowledge and experiences they gain in Japan are expected to enhance their global perspective, communication skills, and ability to adapt to international environments.

Long-Term Benefits for Schools and PMI

Participation in an international youth exchange program offers benefits that extend far beyond the individual participants.

PMI East Jakarta hopes that both students will share the knowledge, experiences, and insights they gain in Japan with fellow PMR members upon their return.

This transfer of knowledge can take place through presentations, training sessions, and educational activities within schools and local communities.

As a result, the program's impact is expected to reach a much wider audience.

Furthermore, the international experience gained by participants can contribute to the development of future PMI leaders and humanitarian volunteers.

Investing in youth through international exchange programs is considered essential for developing socially responsible individuals with strong global awareness.

PMI East Jakarta’s Expectations

PMI East Jakarta hopes that Amirah Salsabila and Kevin El-Aqsha Hartono Mohamad will gain valuable experiences through the International Youth Exchange Program with the Japanese Red Cross that will benefit them in the long term.

In addition to building international friendships, both participants are expected to bring home new knowledge and perspectives that can be applied within their schools and communities.

Their achievement is also expected to inspire other PMR members to pursue excellence and remain active in humanitarian activities.

With support from schools, families, local government, and PMI, young people in East Jakarta are encouraged to become more confident in participating at both national and international levels.

The exchange program demonstrates how the spirit of humanity can serve as a bridge connecting young people across countries in a shared mission: helping others and contributing to a more caring world.

Writer: Opi / Abas
Editor: Editorial Team