Jakarta (ANTARA News, 02/06/07)- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on the people, particularly teachers to help safeguard younger generation from adverse impact of globalization such as hedonism, limitless freedom and attitude of taking short-cuts to gain something. 

"Let`s liberate our younger generation from such an attitude so that they would not be hedonistic, embrace freedom without limits and take short-cuts for attaining something," the president told teachers attending a grand reunion of teachers` training attendants organized by the state-owned telecommunications company, PT Telkom, and the Republika daily newspaper here on Saturday.

Yudhoyono said that there were dangerous developments taking place in society as a result of globalization, which brought in besides virtues also less good values such as hedonism culture, or the desire to obtain material happiness only, the desire to enjoy unlimited freedom and use of short-cut ways to achieve objectives.

The president said that the culture of hedonism was close to crimes and drugs as it considered that material gains and material happiness were above all. Unlimited freedom was far from cultural and religious values because it would disturb others` rights.

"On the other hand, the habit of resorting to short-cuts is dangerous because a problem would be solved through non-rational means such as asking the assistance of shamans," the president said.

He said that if the people wanted to develop an advanced nation, they should work hard and should not take a short-cut way.

In the meantime, PT Telkom President Director Rinaldi Firmansyah said that his company and Republika felt the obligation that besides doing business to gain profit, they also had to return some of the gain to the people through various forms of means such as public empowerment programs.

He said that the teachers training program his company and Republica were organizing had been held from April 2006 to April 2007. The program was part of the companies` CSR program aimed at motivating and providing skills for teachers.

During the function, the president was accompanied by Mme Ani Yudhoyono and a number of cabinet ministers such as Coordinating Minister for People?s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, Education Minister Bambang Soedibyo, Religious Minister M Maftuh Basyuni, Information Minister M Nuh, Head of the Capital Investment Board M Luthfi and Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi.(*)