Participatory leadership in villages forms a sustainable leadership model.

Village leaders who involve the community in decision-making create a tradition of political engagement that will be passed down to future generations.

With an increasing number of citizens participating in the development process, villages become more independent and better equipped to face future challenges.

This also leads to a strong and transparent village government, which can provide space for residents to actively participate in determining the direction of their community development.

This creates a more inclusive decision-making process, where the aspirations and needs of the local community are taken into account and accommodated in village policies.

Thus, active community participation in village development programs also strengthens local democracy.

When citizens feel involved, they become more motivated to contribute to the development process, both physically and ideologically.

This process not only results in more targeted policies but also improves the quality of development outcomes because the community is directly involved in the planning.

It becomes increasingly clear that village leadership often stems from local wisdom that reflects values such as mutual cooperation and collectivism.

These values have become the foundation of social life in many villages and play an important role in community management.

Mutual cooperation, for example, teaches the importance of working together for the common good, while collectivism emphasizes the importance of communal interests over individual interests.

In modern governance, these local wisdom values are highly relevant, especially in the context of collaboration and sustainability.

Villages that implement the values of mutual cooperation and collectivism are able to create a more inclusive governance model, oriented towards the welfare of the community.

In this regard, villages are not only seen as administrative units but also as centers of social innovation capable of providing solutions to modern challenges, including environmental protection and natural resource management.

Local wisdom becomes a key asset in building governance that is more harmonious with nature and more responsive to community needs.

Effective village leadership can also manage potential conflicts before they escalate into larger issues.

By addressing grassroots conflicts, villages significantly contribute to national political stability.

Village leaders who are responsive to signs of radicalism and can foster dialogue among citizens create a conducive atmosphere for harmony.

Moreover, village leadership that prioritizes the values of Pancasila plays a strategic role in strengthening national identity and promoting diversity.

By instilling values of tolerance and unity, village leaders can solidify the spirit of nationalism among their citizens.

Villages that uphold Pancasila as a moral and social foundation serve as examples of how diversity can be a source of strength, not division.

Thus, leadership from the village not only plays a role in managing local communities but also in building a strong foundation for national unity.

To create effective village leadership, capacity building through education and training is essential.

Village leaders must be equipped with relevant knowledge about contemporary developments, particularly in technology and modern administration.

Training in technology and digital economics will help village leaders optimize local potential, facilitate access to information, and enhance transparency in village governance.

With these skills, they can be more responsive to community needs and better prepared to face global challenges affecting villages.

Political education for prospective village leaders is also necessary so they have a strong understanding of their rights and obligations in democratic governance.

This is important because village leaders must be able to perform their functions while respecting the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability.

This education not only assists them in carrying out administrative tasks but also enhances their ability to bridge citizen aspirations with targeted policies.

With a good understanding of their roles in the democratic system, village leaders can create more inclusive and participatory governance.

A strong network between villages will accelerate overall village development.

Interconnected village leaders can share experiences, ideas, and best practices that have proven successful in other regions.

This networking creates a collaborative ecosystem where villages can learn from each other and support one another in addressing various local challenges.

Thus, inter-village networking not only accelerates the development process but also creates greater synergy in achieving equitable progress throughout Indonesia.

Prof. Dr. Drs. Ermaya Suradinata SH, MH, MS is a former Director General of Social and Political Affairs at the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and Governor of Lemhanas RI (2001-2005).