REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- During an event attended by leaders and youth representatives of Southeast Asian countries in the Philippines on Saturday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged the people to use social media for campaigning peace and tolerance. 

"I hope all youth in Southeast Asian countries would become the agents of change by wisely using social media," Jokowi stated while delivering a speech at the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The president further remarked that nearly all youth today spent most of their time in accessing social media. 

"In Indonesia alone, at least 44 million posts are published online in just one hour. We also have around 73 million active internet users and 72 million social media accounts," Jokowi noted. 

He said social media currently has a powerful influence on all people across the globe. 

Hence, the significant number of internet users in Indonesia could actually help the country to advance its several sectors. 

On a similar occasion, Jokowi also highlighted the importance of respecting differences among people. 

"All youth in ASEAN countries need to promote unity and harmony despite all the differences in religions, ethnicities, as well as cultural backgrounds," the president reiterated.

Awareness about respecting differences remains crucial amid several stereotypes, hate speeches, and opinions being posted online. 

"People of the earlier generation listened to their parents, but now, most youth will look and believe any information posted online," the president noted. 

The 30th ASEAN Summit, held in the Philippines' capital city of Manila on Apr 26-29, had agreed that civil service can function as a catalyst to realize the bloc's community vision in 2025. 

"We (the ASEAN member countries) recognize the significance of civil service as a backbone of good governance in the region and its critical mission in not only providing vital public services to the people of ASEAN but also in driving national and social development," the declaration stated as quoted on the bloc's official website.

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