Accelerating the Vision of Indonesia 2045, President Jokowi Commends The Futurist Summit 2023

Jakarta – Pijar Foundation successfully hosted The Futurist Summit, Indonesia’s first future-themed conference, on December 12, 2023, at Ciputra Artpreneur in South Jakarta. The event offered a unique blend of panel discussions and theatrical performance, aiming to catalyze collaboration among more than 1,100 strategic actors from across sectors and generations in pursuit of Indonesia’s 2045 vision.

This first-of-its-kind futurist conference in Indonesia received a warm welcome from President Joko Widodo. According to the President, the future will bring significant challenges, including climate change. These challenges are driving a global shift toward green and blue economies, while technological disruptions—advanced robotics and artificial intelligence—are simultaneously fostering new economies and displacing traditional ones.

"I welcome the organization of The Futurist Summit 2023, as it maps out future challenges and opportunities and formulates strategic steps toward achieving an inclusive and sustainable developed Indonesia. We must strengthen our future-readiness agenda, from mastering future knowledge, technology, and skills. Therefore, I appreciate Pijar Foundation’s contribution as a catalyst for the future," said President Joko Widodo in his remarks.

The President also expressed hope that this gathering of thousands of individuals at The Futurist Summit 2023 would yield strategic steps to shape the nation’s vision of inclusive and sustainable progress.

The summit was officially opened by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, who noted the growing uncertainty surrounding future employment.

“We must ensure that young people do not enter job markets that are already obsolete—so they don’t find themselves stunned when their dream careers no longer exist, or when the knowledge they hold dear becomes irrelevant. This forum helps prevent us from being caught off guard. I believe the futurists here are the ones who can anticipate what lies ahead,” said Pratikno.

Pratikno also welcomed the initiative from Pijar Foundation to organize this summit:

“I fully support Pijar Foundation’s initiative in holding this summit. The government is ready to collaborate—on whatever is necessary to build the national ecosystem so that, in line with the President’s message, we not only understand future challenges but also recognize the opportunities that lie ahead,” he added.

Aligned with this vision, Pijar Foundation operates through three main pillars: education, innovation, and public policy. In its two years of existence, Pijar Foundation has reached over 63,000 beneficiaries, implemented more than 25 social projects, and partnered with over 500 institutions.

According to Ferro Ferizka, Executive Director of Pijar Foundation, these achievements were only made possible through cross-sectoral and intergenerational collaboration:

“We believe collaboration is key. We cannot do this alone because Indonesia is not lacking in brilliant minds and ideas. Pijar Foundation acts as a catalyst—accelerating the quality of Indonesian society through education, entrepreneurship, and public policy,” said Ferro.

Unlike typical conferences, The Futurist Summit featured a theatrical performance by Pandora, offering a unique experience. The event explored diverse issues through expansive perspectives, including insights from children, to uncover blind spots and spark deeper conversations and action.

Supported by Bank Mandiri, BNI, Pertamina, Alpha JWC Ventures, and dozens of other corporations, institutions, and communities, the summit successfully convened over 1,100 strategic actors from across Indonesia to support the vision of Indonesia 2045.

The Futurist Summit also hosted a lineup of prominent speakers including Mari Elka Pangestu (Former Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank), Dito Ariotedjo (Minister of Youth and Sports), Shinta Widjaja Kamdani (Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association), KGPAA Mangkunegoro X, Jefrey Joe (Co-Founder & General Partner, Alpha JWC Ventures), Arcandra Tahar (Former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources), Diaz Hendropriyono (Special Staff to the President), and Patrick Walujo (CEO of GoTo Group).

Beyond theater and panel discussions, the 2023 summit also included Lunch & Learn sessions, where participants gained practical insights from industry experts and Pijar Foundation’s teams across sectors such as investment, agriculture, and public policy.