Themed “Jenggirat Obah Bareng” (Get up to Move Together), the meeting discussed how to face the emergency situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in a creative way.

The ICCN meeting, opened virtually by Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki on Nov. 5, involved East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak and ICCN member representatives of 231 cities/regencies, as well as 50 coordinators from the ICCN across Indonesia. Banyuwangi Regent Azwar Anas and Jayapura Deputy Mayor Rustan Saru also participated in the meeting.

Minister Teten hoped that the meeting held in Banyuwangi could provide an opportunity to strengthen the collaboration among the central government, regional government and creative economic people from across regions.

“Currently, the national economy is largely supported by MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), which include creative people. Amid the sluggish global economy, the President hoped that MSMEs could become the national economic buffer. We hope that the meeting will make positive contributions to MSMEs in terms of creativity,” Teten remarked.

He also expressed hope that the meeting could serve as a forum for sharing and strengthening among creative people, especially during this difficult time.

Teten expressed his appreciation to Banyuwangi as a host of the ICCN Rakornas. Banyuwangi is a region that has much potential and is recognized for its innovations that can be a source of inspiration for other regions.

“I returned from Banyuwangi a couple of days ago. I think the regency is the right place where people from other regions can learn from its creativity and innovations,” he said.

Meanwhile, ICC chairman Fiki Satari said almost all of the national creative activists participated in the meeting, including representatives from Sumatra and Papua.

“This is part of our jihad for the country. We flew to Banyuwangi with strict health protocols for the sake of mutual safety. So let’s make sure that the overall discussion, discourses and debates are part of our contribution to the country,” Fiki said.

According to Fiki, cities/regencies can be a starting point when it comes to turning Indonesia into a creative country. As a region abundant in creativity and innovations, Banyuwnagi itself is expected to become one of the sources of inspiration. “This includes a leadership model that can evoke innovative initiatives even amid the pandemic,” he said.

“We want the ICCN network to stay passionate and optimistic through synergy and collaboration, such as what Banyuwangi has done. Although amid the pandemic, we can still make achievements through creativity and innovations. We have to rush in and move together, which in Banyuwangi language, we say Jenggirat Obah Bareng,” he said.

Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azar Anas said Banyuwangi felt honored to be a host to the creative Indonesian people. He hoped the meeting could produce ideas for the development of the national creative realm.

“We are grateful for the trust that you’ve given us. May the meeting produce the best for the organization and the Indonesian creative world,” he said.

Anas said Banyuwangi’s creativity and innovations initially stemmed from a will to optimize the development in the regency amid the region’s limitations. He instilled creativity values and the spirit of being an innovator into all stakeholders in the region.

With sustainable creativity and innovations, a region will eventually not only achieve and even exceed the development program target, but also make achievements that the region is proud of. 

“We view the pandemic as a challenge that we have to resolve together. We try to get up by conducting synergy and new protocols in many aspects. COVID-19 is like a pit stop in a racing championship. If we can make a quick adjustment and acceleration, then we can move fast and become a winner,” he said.

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