JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, has invited the Presidential Special Envoy for the Development of Youth and Arts Practitioners, Raffi Ahmad, to collaborate on a major upcoming agenda: a "Gen-Z Audition" for youth in villages across Indonesia.

According to the Minister, Raffi Ahmad—familiarly known as Aa Raffi—will play a key role in mentoring village youth. The youth are seen as vital players capable of accessing global technology and information and tailoring it to local needs, thereby accelerating the modernization of rural areas.

"Today is extraordinary; we are visited by the Presidential Special Envoy for Youth and Arts. We have collaborated with him on various breakthroughs to build villages since the beginning," explained Minister Yandri during an audience with Raffi Ahmad at the Ministry’s office in Jakarta, Thursday (April 23, 2026).

"In the near future, we will embark on an incredible collaboration with him, targeting participation from youth throughout Indonesia," he added.

Minister Yandri further noted that this large-scale youth development agenda aims to involve all rural communities in Indonesia. With proper mentorship, village youth are expected to grow into responsible, productive individuals capable of transforming village potential into progress and prosperity.

Furthermore, youth development is seen as a catalyst for village leadership. Young people provide the sustainable energy needed for rural development through fresh, cutting-edge ideas.

Minister Yandri believes that in this era of rapid technological advancement, youth are naturally attuned to information speed and digital trends. This is considered a significant asset to encourage the millennial and Gen-Z generations to take an active interest in rural development.

"We want to inspire village youth to be more active and innovative. We will create a 'Gen-Z Audition,' and that is what we will collaborate on with the Presidential Special Envoy," he concluded.

During the meeting, Minister Yandri was accompanied by the Secretary-General Taufik Madjid, the Director General of PEID Tabrani, the Head of BPI Mulyadin Malik, and the Minister's Special Staff, Khoirul Huda.

Photo: Angga/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Dayat/Kemendes PDT