Lecturers, administrative staff, and students of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), attended a ceremony commemorating Pancasila Sanctity Day at the FISIP field in Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang, on Thursday (October 1, 2026).
The ceremony was led by UNNES Vice Rector II for General Affairs and Finance, Prof. Heri Yanto. The commemoration served as a moment to reflect on Indonesia’s history and reaffirm the commitment to the values of Pancasila in social, national, and civic life.
One of the main parts of the ceremony was the reading of the Pancasila Sanctity Day Pledge. The pledge recalls the various challenges faced by the Republic of Indonesia since the Proclamation of Independence on August 17, 1945. It also emphasizes the importance of vigilance and solidarity in safeguarding Pancasila as the state ideology.
The pledge further highlights the importance of togetherness based on the noble values of Pancasila to strengthen the unity of the Republic of Indonesia. It calls on Indonesians to uphold Pancasila as a source of strength in promoting truth and justice and maintaining national unity.
For students, the commemoration was more than a ceremonial event. Syafaatul Riski Maulana, a first-semester student of the Political Science Study Program, said the commemoration reminded younger generations of the past and encouraged them to appreciate the contributions of national heroes and the values of Pancasila.
“Pancasila Sanctity Day reminds us of the past, encourages us to appreciate the contributions of our heroes, and reminds us of the importance of Pancasila. This ceremony is also a way to remember all of these things,” Syafaatul said.
Sabrina Aulia Rahma, a third-semester student of the Pancasila and Civic Education Study Program, arrived at the venue before the ceremony began at 6:45 a.m. She said the commemoration was important for remembering the difficult events in Indonesia’s past.
“For me, this commemoration reminds us of the dark events in the past so that they will not happen again,” Sabrina said.
Pancasila Sanctity Day is commemorated every October 1 and is historically associated with the political turmoil and violence surrounding the events of late September and early October 1965. The commemoration later became a national occasion to reaffirm Pancasila as the foundation of the Indonesian state and to reflect on the challenges faced by the nation.
For students in a university environment, commemorating the day can also provide an opportunity to connect historical knowledge with contemporary civic life. Remembering history is not only about understanding past events but also about reflecting on the importance of solidarity, justice, and peaceful coexistence in the present.
The commemoration also relates to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Through historical reflection and civic education, the activity contributes to developing students’ knowledge, civic awareness, and understanding of the values that support peaceful and inclusive societies.
