In a significant effort to promote access to education and cultural diversity, the American Studies Students and Alumni Association (ASSAA) in collaboration with the American Studies Society Indonesia (ASSINDO) successfully organized a series of events titled “Lecture Series and Thanksgiving Lunch 2024.” This event, held online via Zoom, focused on the theme “The Evolution of American Identity in a Multicultural Society,” reflecting the importance of education for sustainability and equal access to knowledge in developing countries.

Lecture Series Documentation

The Lecture Series commenced on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, with two engaging sessions. The first session featured Dr. Suzie Handajani, M.A., who discussed “Asian Americans: From Mainstream Media to Social Media.” This session highlighted the representation of Asian Americans in various media forms, emphasizing the need for cultural diversity in narratives that shape American identity.

Following Dr. Handajani’s presentation, Tino Torres, a graduate student from the City University of New York, presented on “American Identity Through a New York City Lens: A Reflection on Diversity and Cultural Contrasts.” His insights provided a unique perspective on how New York City, as a melting pot of cultures, influences the understanding of American identity.

Lecture Series Documentation

The second session took place on Thursday morning, November 7, 2024. Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.A., led a discussion on “Navigating Diversity: The Role of Intersectionality in Shaping American Identity.” This session underscored the importance of recognizing various intersecting identities in understanding the complexities of American culture.

Lecture Series Documentation

Prof. Dr. H. Nuriadi, S.S., M.Hum., followed with a fascinating exploration titled “Exploring The Use Of Pronoun Thou, Thee, Thy, Or Thine: A Fact From The American Quakers.” His presentation delved into the historical and cultural significance of language in shaping identity, further enriching the discourse on cultural diversity.

Participants in the Lecture Series included students and faculty from various universities across Indonesia, showcasing the event’s commitment to equal access to education and fostering a collaborative learning environment. The diverse audience reflected the cultural richness and academic engagement present in the field of American Studies.

Movie Discussion Documentation

On the afternoon of Thursday, November 7, the event culminated in a Movie Discussion and Thanksgiving Lunch. This gathering was attended by esteemed guests, including faculty members from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, graduate students from American Studies, English Literature students, and representatives from ASSINDO. The event provided a platform for networking and sharing experiences among attendees.

The Movie Discussion, moderated by Ahdi Sakha, was characterized by a warm atmosphere and enthusiastic participation. Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., opened the session with a heartfelt welcome, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to gather as an academic community during this festive occasion.

Following the discussion, attendees enjoyed a Thanksgiving Lunch, which served as a perfect opportunity for participants to reconnect, share experiences, and reminisce about their time in the American Studies program. This gathering not only celebrated academic achievements but also reinforced the bonds of community and cultural exchange.

The successful execution of the “Lecture Series and Thanksgiving Lunch 2024” exemplifies the commitment of ASSAA and ASSINDO to promote access to education, cultural diversity, and sustainable practices in the field of American Studies. As the world continues to evolve, such initiatives play a crucial role in fostering understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, particularly in developing countries.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Sandya Kirani]

Yogyakarta, December 14, 2024 – The Student Association of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Student Family (HMJ Kamastawa) Study Program. Literature, and Javanese Culture held a big year-end deliberation to read out all the accountability sheets (LPJ) of the events that had been carried out in the 2024/2025 period, agreeing on the Basic Bylaws (ADRT), and determining the chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2025/2026 period. The event took place in room 709 Soegondo Building from 08.00 WIB to 17.00 WIB.

Presidium of the Great Deliberation of HMJ Kamastawa

The event was opened by Nadiffa Setya (class of 2023) as Master of Ceremony followed by singing Indonesia Raya and Gadjah Mada Hymn, followed by remarks by the Head of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum. and Kamastawa Advisor, Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A. who attended the event online. The discussion of LPJ and ADRT was led by Saktia Hidayah (class of 2022) as the first presidium, Haryo Untoro (class of 2022) as the second presidium, and Dhiny Maulina (class of 2022) as the notetaker. 

Atmosphere of HMJ Kamastawa’s Great Deliberation

The first discussion began with the reading of accountability sheets (LPJ) for several activities that have been carried out by HMJ Kamastawa such as Gugur Gunung, Abhiseka Kramasisya and Temu Budaya Nusantara. The LPJ was read by the chief executive of each event. Then continued with the reading of the LPJ of each division of HMJ Kamastawa, which is:

– Chairman

– Vice Chair

– Secretary

– Treasurer

– Human Resources Division (HR)

– Public Relations and Organization Division (RPO)

– Social Society Division (Sosmas)

– Media and Information Division (Medinfo)

– Scientific Division

– Entrepreneurship and Logistics Division (Kewirugistik)

– Interest and Talent Division (Mikat)

The event was paused with a prayer break and lunch. Followed by a discussion about the election of the new chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2025/2026 period. There were three candidates proposed, namely M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, Fega Achillea Maydena, and Dwiyan Teguh Darmawan, all three of whom are students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program class of 2023. The three of them read the vision and mission that will be held for one period. After reading the vision and mission, entering the question and answer session, each candidate received questions from the chairman and several members of HMJ Kamastawa. Then continued with the deliberation session, with the deliberation of all participants, Dwiyan Teguh Darmawan was determined as the Chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2025/2026 period. The discussion of the determination of the chairman of HMJ Kamastawa ended the entire series of Great Deliberation events. The Great Conference was closed with a group photo documentation session.

Elected Chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2025 Period

Deliberation teaches students to socialize with others, communicate, and express opinions. It is hoped that with this deliberation, students will be able to learn to organize well and carry out their responsibilities.

The Department of Anthropology UGM hosted a significant guest lecture by Dr. Edna Agyepong, an academic from the University of Energy and Natural Resource. The guest lecture aimed to explain the complexities of cultural diversity and economic development in Africa, particularly in developing countries.

Dr. Agyepong began her lecture by emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity in shaping land use practices. He argued that understanding local customs and traditions is crucial for effective land management. “Cultural diversity is not just a matter of heritage; it is a vital resource for sustainable development,” he said. This perspective is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, which encourages quality education that promotes sustainability.

The lecture also highlighted the role of education for sustainability in empowering communities. Dr. Agyepong pointed out that education initiatives must integrate local knowledge and practices to be effective. “When we educate people about their land and its significance, we empower them to make informed decisions,” he explained. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members, which is crucial for sustainable economic development.

Dr. Agyepong also discussed the economic development challenges facing many African countries. He noted that while there is potential for growth, external factors such as climate change and global market fluctuations often hinder progress. “Developing countries must navigate these challenges while also preserving their cultural identity,” he said. This balancing act is critical to achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 8, which focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The guest lecture also discussed the importance of civil society partnerships in driving development assistance. Dr. Agyepong emphasized that collaboration between governments, NGOs, and local communities is essential for effective resource management. “Civil society plays a critical role in championing the needs of the people and ensuring that development initiatives are inclusive,” he said. This collaborative approach can lead to more sustainable outcomes and greater community engagement.

As the lecture progressed, Dr. Agyepong shared case studies from various African countries, illustrating successful initiatives that integrate cultural diversity and sustainable practices. These examples served as inspiration to the participants, demonstrating the potential for positive change when local knowledge is valued and integrated into development strategies.

The audience was highly engaged during the Q&A session, where students asked questions about the practical application of Dr. Agyepong’s theories. Many expressed a desire to learn more about how they can contribute to sustainable development efforts in their own communities. Dr. Agyepong encouraged them to seek partnerships and engage with local organizations to make a meaningful impact.

In conclusion, Dr. Agyepong’s lecture provided valuable insights into the complexities of land use and cultural diversity in Africa. The emphasis on education for sustainability and the importance of civil society partnerships resonated strongly with participants, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts in achieving the SDGs. As the event drew to a close, participants left with renewed vigor and commitment to drive sustainable development in their own contexts. Dr. Agyepong’s lecture was a significant step in this direction, inspiring the next generation of leaders to embrace cultural diversity and work towards a sustainable future.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Sandya Kirani]

Friday, March 8, 2024 – Institut Français Indonésie (IFI-LIP) Yogyakarta held a round table discussion entitled Gender-based violence in a digital society as a form of international women’s day celebration. IFI invited Wening Udasmoro (lecturer of bachelor of french language and literature) and Ratna Noviani (lecturer of master of cultural and media studies) from Universitas Gadjah Mada. In addition, IFI also invited Marie Nastorg (PhD student in droit de la non-discrimination) from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers online. The discussion was held in the IFI auditorium, with François Dabin as the moderator. The round table discussion was attended by around 105 participants. The number of participants was certainly influenced by the interesting and important theme of the discussion, namely online gender-based violence or online GBV. 

This discussion was spoken in English, and it was an action to support the Sustainable Development Goals, the goal of quality education and gender equality. What was conveyed by all the speakers proved the action. First, according to Nastorg, as the first speaker to present her argument, she stated that online GBV often occurs in higher education and labor environments, and most forms of violence are discrimination of women’s roles in these two spheres. Wening went on to say that cases of online GBV in higher education tend to be underreported because of the difficulty of reporting the case, even though regulations related to it already exist. Finally, Ratna expressed her opinion that the prevention and handling of online GBV requires collective awareness from the victim’s environment and the digital environment. 

This round table discussion concluded that it is important for the community to raise awareness of the vulnerability of online GBV in an era which is dominated by social media users. The hope of all speakers is that the discussion can inspire the audience to become wise while using social media, and be able to teach the same thing to others. 

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science, Penulis: Jasmine Nabila D
Editor: Rifal Fadlurrahman, Sandya Kirani]

In order to strengthen collaboration and exchange experiences in managing student organization activities, the Cultural Anthropology Student Family of Gadjah Mada University (KEMANT UGM) conducted a comparative study to the Social Anthropology Student Family of Diponegoro University (KAWAN UNDIP), Semarang. This activity took place on October 14, 2024 and was attended by dozens of participants from KEMANT UGM.

This comparative study was not just for fun or sightseeing. However, the main purpose of this activity is to strengthen relations between student organizations from both universities, exchange information related to the superior work programs of each student association, exchange stories about practices in student organization management, especially in the scope of student empowerment and community service, and classroom learning curriculum.

The series of comparative study events began with a warm welcome from the host, namely the head of the UNDIP KAWAN student association, which was then followed by an introduction to the organizational structure and work programs of each division. After that, the speech was continued by the chairman of the KEMANT UGM student association who also introduced the organizational structure and work program of each division.

The activity continued with gathering per division and discussing. In this session, the same divisions in both associations were brought together to exchange information. In addition, introductions were also made more in-depth, such as telling stories related to hobbies, favorite foods, and exchanging contacts that are expected to continue communication in the future.

After the discussion session, the next agenda was lunch and continued with mini games guided by the KEMANT UGM PSDM division. All participants followed the games happily and full of laughter. Activities that can bond and increase intimacy between associations.

With the spirit of collaboration, the activity ended with a group photo in front of UNDIP’s iconic statue, the white horse statue.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science, Editor: Sandya Kirani]