by Mathias Hariyadi

The theme of the 19th edition of the meeting is "Enhancing unity through solidarity." The event was attended by at least 80 people, including students and teachers. Local priests also present. Lectures and seminars accompanied by prayer and reflection. A Catholic University initiative that reinforces "cooperation and mutual relations."

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - With the goal of strengthening the sense of cooperation and mutual friendship through seminars and hands-on activities, Catholic doctors and medical students from various faculties throughout  Indonesia took part in the 19th edition of the annual meeting promoted by "Pjpmkfki".

This association brings together a network of Catholic physicians - present and future - throughout the archipelago and this year met in a Carmelite center of the Archdiocese of Medan, in the province of North Sumatra.

The weeklong event was attended by about 80 participants from different universities - public and private - around the country. As highlighted by Cinthya Theresia Tambunan, a student of Medical Sciences of the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, the initiative has reinforced a "sense of cooperation and mutual relations between us".

The 2014 edition was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the student group of St. Luke's North Sumatra University and members of St. Raphael Methodist University, both from Medan. During the seminar teachers and students visited remote areas, to provide free medical care to the local population. Practical activities plus seminars on basic healthcare and disease prevention, which was also attended by a number of local priests.

With the theme "Increase Solidarity for Unity," priests and participants strengthened their ties to cement the spirit of cooperation in the service of society and of the sick in particular. The members of Pjpmkfki describe the group as "informal", born in 1990 during the regime of President Suharto at the initiative of the students of the University of Indonesia in Jakarta and Padjajaran University in Bandung, West Java, both state universities.

In the beginning the group came under the scrutiny of government intelligence, which censored and blocked any activities not in line with the regime. Over time, the project has been expanded to include students and professionals from all over the country.

Cinthya Tambunan, originally from Medan, adds that "on a personal level, this type of initiative is a unique opportunity to allow participants [of universities] to get know each other better and this boosts everyone's moral".

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, Christians represent 5.7 per cent of the population with Catholics just over 3.6 per cent. Catholics are an active component in society. Over the years, they have contributed to the nation's development and played a major role in emergency operations, as was the case during the devastating floods of January 2013.

 

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