JAKARTA, JurnalPost.com — Diversity should not be a reason to create distance. Differences can actually serve as a space for everyone to understand, complement, and grow with one another.
This message emerged during the Bermuara 2026 series organized by Ruang Damai at Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace, Jakarta, on Saturday (August 22, 2026).
Carrying the theme “Keeping Hope, Weaving Change, 5 Years of Understanding Without Judging,” this event brought together various figures from diverse backgrounds to discuss the journey of understanding oneself, interpreting diversity, and creating positive impacts on the surrounding environment.
Being Yourself Amidst the Variety of Life
In Dialogue 1 titled “Being Yourself While Navigating the Variety of Life,” Bhikkhu Sangha Antadhiro Thera highlighted the importance of peace of heart, positive thinking, and the ability to control oneself in navigating life.
According to him, life needs to be lived in balance. One should not get too lost in a single emotional state because both sadness and happiness are parts of life's journey that complement each other.
He likened humans and life to water, which is capable of uniting various elements. In that journey, the presence of teachers or figures who provide guidance is necessary to help someone realize when to stop, reflect, and then move forward again.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin viewed diversity through the perspective of human relationships.
He emphasized that humans are essentially social beings who are interconnected and need one another.
One of the principles he conveyed is to treat others as one would like to be treated. This principle applies not only to human relationships but also to how we treat other living beings.
Diversity, according to the views expressed in the dialogue, is not created to be a basis for demeaning others, but rather as an opportunity to complement one another. Life gains meaning precisely because of the presence of various differences.
Caring Does Not Have to Start with Big Actions
The discussion continued in Dialogue 2 titled “Everyone Can Make an Impact Together.” The conversation focused on how everyone can take a role and provide benefits amidst the busyness of daily life.
Rio Zakarias highlighted the assumption that caring for the surrounding environment is sometimes difficult to do due to work demands or other busyness.
According to him, having a steady job or a packed routine should not be an excuse to stop paying attention to others.
Positive impact also does not always have to be realized through large-scale movements. Simple steps taken consistently and stemming from genuine care can still provide benefits.
This view on usefulness was reinforced by Handika Surbakti. He views humans as having the ability to empower and provide impact to their fellow human beings.
Fathimah Azzahra also assessed that becoming a person who brings change can start from something simple: caring.
When someone sees an issue and their heart or mind feels called to act, that condition can be the beginning of a real action.
Nurturing Meeting Spaces
These various ideas became an important part of Bermuara 2026, which also marked the five-year journey of Ruang Damai.
In addition to the dialogue sessions, the event featured a Gallery Walk – Time Capsule 5th Ruang Damai, the launch of the Ruang Damai Annual Report, game sessions, and River of Life – Creative Reflection.
The series of activities was designed so that participants would not only witness diversity from a distance but also experience, discuss, and reflect on it directly.
For Ruang Damai, such meeting spaces are considered important to be continuously nurtured in a society with different backgrounds, life experiences, beliefs, and perspectives.
Open interaction is expected to increase opportunities for the community to understand each other while reducing the potential for horizontal conflict.
The message that emerged in Bermuara 2026 confirms that differences are not a threat. Diversity can actually be an opportunity to complement the various limitations possessed by each individual.
The five-year journey of Ruang Damai was not only commemorated as a celebration. The momentum became a space for reflection on the importance of building a safe environment so that everyone has the opportunity to listen, understand, and grow together.
Bermuara 2026 was organized by Ruang Damai on August 22, 2026, at Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace, Jakarta, with the theme “Keeping Hope, Weaving Change, 5 Years of Understanding Without Judging.”
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