Mataram, Indonesia — Balai Bahasa Provinsi NTB kicked off the selection of Duta Bahasa Provinsi NTB for 2025 with a ceremony on March 18, 2025. The socialization event reached out to students at Universitas Bumigora, Universitas Islam Al-Azhar Mataram, and Institut Pendidikan Nusantara Global, encouraging them to become advocates for language and literature.
The initiative is heralded by Balai Bahasa and the Duta Bahasa Provinsi NTB, who detailed how young people can play a critical role in addressing language and literary challenges within the region. The presentation featured various questions from attending students ranging from the selection process to the benefits of joining the Duta Bahasa.
Siti Raehanun, the head of Ikatan Duta Bahasa Provinsi NTB, emphasized that those who progress to the finals (top 20) will automatically become members of the Ikatan Duta Bahasa. She stated, "The young people who become duta bahasa are selected through a strict selection process," highlighting the rigorous evaluation meant to capture candidates passionate about language.
Gilang Aryo Damar from Balai Bahasa NTB explained the integral role Duta Bahasa play in regional programs, noting, "Usually, duta bahasa will help implement activities by becoming presenters and moderators. Besides, duta bahasa are also involved in collecting data on regional languages." This involvement not only offers participants practical experience but also enhances their understanding of linguistic diversity in Indonesia.
Regarding the election process, the Duta Bahasa Provinsi NTB for 2025 features three significant stages: an online briefing, interviews for the top 50 candidates, and the final round. Registrations are open until March 21, 2025. This structure aims to ensure that the best candidates who demonstrate linguistic skills and cultural awareness are selected.
Meanwhile, in Lampung, the Balai Bahasa Provinsi Lampung has resumed its 2025 Duta Bahasa selection. Registration has been open since February 24, 2025, and will continue until April 8, 2025. The initiative seeks to involve local youth, defined by requirements including Indonesian citizenship, a minimum education of high school or equivalent, and an age range of 18 to 24 years old.
Guspradana Sesridha Alius from Balai Bahasa Lampung highlighted that, "Duta bahasa are representatives of the young generation with a high concern for language, literature, and literacy in Indonesia." This affirms the role these ambassadors play in promoting vital cultural values through language.
For the Lampung election, participants will navigate five stages of selection. Phase one involves document verification taking place from February to April 2025, leading up to a Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia (UKBI) scheduled for mid-April. Subsequent steps include interviews and skills assessment at the end of April, a writing and craft selection in May, culminating in the final stage in June 2025.
At the conclusion of these assessments, 13 pairs (totaling 26 individuals) will be officially inaugurated as Duta Bahasa Provinsi Lampung, integrating them into Ikatan Duta Bahasa Provinsi Lampung. The top winner will have the honor of representing Lampung at a national level, further underscoring the prestige associated with the Duta Bahasa title.
Events like these not only celebrate language but also engage youth in a broader dialogue about cultural heritage and its preservation. By taking part in the selection process, candidates are invited to contribute to the narrative of Indonesian literature and language.
With both provinces actively promoting these elections, they aim to cultivate a new generation of language ambassadors dedicated to fostering a rich linguistic culture across Indonesia. As the registrations for both provinces continue, the enthusiasm among the youth highlights a promising future for language engagement in Indonesia.
