Yogyakarta, September 29, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continued its Entrepreneurship lecture series with the fifth meeting featuring Sofian Munawar, S.S., M.A., Founder of Ruang Baca Komunitas. In this session, students were invited to explore the concept of social entrepreneurship, a business approach that prioritizes solving social, environmental, and community issues through innovative and sustainable methods.

The lecture highlighted that social entrepreneurship is not merely profit-driven but instead focuses on social missions, innovation, sustainability, and generating real impact for communities. In the context of literature and language studies, this can be applied through creative literacy initiatives such as reading and writing workshops, digital literacy development, promoting a reading culture, and expanding public access to educational resources.

Students of the Arabic Study Program were also introduced to various examples of social entrepreneurship practices, both globally and locally. Inspiring cases such as Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, Warby Parker in the United States, and Indonesia’s National Literacy Movement showcased how social enterprises can improve quality of life while fostering independence. Locally, best practices from Yogyakarta were presented, including CV Agradaya Indonesia, which promotes sustainable spice farming; Yayasan Penyandang Cacat Mandiri, which empowers people with disabilities through woodcraft; and Sayur Sleman Academy, which trains young agripreneurs. These examples served as both motivation and inspiration for students to see the potential in their own fields.

The lecture also addressed the challenges facing literacy movements, such as limited resources, lack of student motivation, and barriers to technology access. However, students were encouraged to view these challenges as opportunities for innovation through collaboration among schools, families, and communities. This perspective reinforced the idea that literacy is not confined to classrooms but is brought to life through community activities, local culture, and digital platforms.

Through this session, Arabic Study Program students not only gained a conceptual understanding of social entrepreneurship but were also challenged to develop real initiatives rooted in literature and language that could bring tangible benefits to society. This lecture also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by strengthening literacy movements, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering social enterprises that create meaningful jobs, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through inclusive community empowerment programs.

[Arabic Literature, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, September 17, 2025 — The premiere of Unexpected Peace was held on Wednesday (Sept. 17, 2025), bringing together several prominent figures who emphasized the importance of viewing conflicts through a humanitarian lens rather than merely political or territorial ones.

In the forum, Michael and Johnathan opened the discussion by examining the Israel-Palestine conflict as a concrete example of the complexities of peace. They highlighted the harsh realities of life in Gaza, where people are often trapped in cycles of dehumanization. “Individuals may face limitations in confronting large-scale violence, yet each person still carries the responsibility to speak the truth,” said Michael.

Johnathan added that nonviolent approaches have proven more effective in resolving conflicts. He referred to stories presented in the film and emphasized that religion can serve as a spiritual guide in building peace.

Meanwhile, academic Achmad Munjid highlighted the importance of narrative in delivering moral messages. According to him, stories are easier for society to grasp as reflections of humanitarian values. He also stressed that conflicts arise from multiple factors, ranging from economic and political to cultural. “Genocide is the most extreme form of dehumanization, and it remains a global threat to this day,” he asserted.

The Q&A session deepened the discussion on religion, media, and the act of forgiveness. Johnathan cited the Amish community as an example, noting how they always choose to forgive first before considering other consequences. Michael emphasized that forgiveness can come from anywhere, while Munjid described it as “a radical act that seems almost impossible,” yet precisely what makes it meaningful.

Questions about the conditions required for peace were answered by Paulus, who emphasized the importance of respecting differences. According to him, authenticity and honesty are key to building trust. Yanni added that conflict resolution requires active engagement, the pursuit of shared goals, and agreements that are both clear and respected.

The event concluded with the understanding that peace is not something achieved instantly, but rather a long journey that demands courage, collective participation, and a commitment to dismantle stereotypes. Respecting differences and having the courage to forgive were highlighted as the main foundations of reconciliation.

The premiere of Unexpected Peace successfully demonstrated that viewing conflict through a humanitarian lens is a vital first step toward a more peaceful world. Narratives, real-life experiences, and open dialogue are believed to be powerful tools in fostering collective awareness of the importance of peace.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 2, 2025 – The Undergraduate Tourism Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an international guest lecture under the ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility program with the theme “Sustainability and Sustainable Practices in Tourism Enterprises.” The lecture featured Assoc. Prof. Halime Göktas Kulualp from Karabük University, Turkiye, shared valuable insights through the case study of Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage City recognized since 1994.

In her presentation, Prof. Kulualp described Safranbolu as a small but historically rich town in Karabük Province, located in the Black Sea region of Turkiye. For centuries, it served as an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, a trade route connecting Asia and Europe. The town has witnessed the presence of great civilizations, including the Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines, and reached its golden age under the Ottoman Empire. During this period, caravanserais such as the famous Cinci Han were established to host merchants and travelers passing through the region.

What makes Safranbolu truly unique is its remarkable Ottoman architecture. The town is renowned for its traditional houses, many of which are more than 300 years old, characterized by whitewashed walls, wooden frames, large windows, and private courtyards. These houses are living examples of how Turkish people once lived. Beyond its architecture, Safranbolu is also surrounded by natural beauty, with stunning sites like Tokatl Canyon and Bulak Caves attracting both domestic and international visitors.

The name Safranbolu comes from “saffron,” a rare and precious spice that grows in the area, combined with the name of the nearby region, Bolu. This name reflects the city’s cultural identity and historical wealth. UNESCO’s recognition highlights Safranbolu’s authenticity, integrity, and its importance as a living heritage for humanity. According to Prof. Kulualp, Safranbolu’s success in preserving its cultural legacy while embracing tourism offers an inspiring example of how heritage conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand.

Through this guest lecture, UGM Tourism students were encouraged to see tourism not only as an economic activity but also as a responsibility to safeguard cultural heritage. The story of Safranbolu reminds us that sustainability in tourism is essential to protect history while ensuring benefits for local communities and future generations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Monday, September 29, 2025 – The American Studies Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a Focused Writing Workshop on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM (WIB) via Zoom Meeting. The workshop was led by Dr. Ashika Prajnya Paramita, M.A. and attended by undergraduate, master’s, doctoral students, as well as staff members of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

The workshop was designed to provide a supportive writing community where participants could focus on completing various academic projects, ranging from theses, articles, assignments, to research papers. Through this shared writing space, participants were encouraged to set clear writing goals, stay motivated, and engage in productive writing through structured sprints.

The workshop format consisted of two writing sessions, each lasting 40 minutes with a 10-minute break in between. In addition to the writing sessions, Dr. Ashika also facilitated discussions on the challenges faced by participants in their writing process and offered reviews of their works.

This activity is planned to be held regularly every month, serving as a sustainable platform to foster productive writing habits within the academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 26, 2025 – The Archaeology Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), held the “UGM Archaeology Talkshow X Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.” The event took place in a hybrid format—offline at Soegondo Building, 7th floor (Room 709), and online via Zoom Meeting—featuring the overarching theme of maritime archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage (BMKT).

The talkshow presented three speakers from different fields. The first was Widya Nayati, M.A., Ph.D., from the Department of Archaeology UGM, who delivered a presentation titled “Ports: Centers of Commodity Exchange or Centers of Cultural Exchange?” highlighting the role of ports throughout history and their significance in cultural interactions. Next, Frista Yorhanita, S.Si., M.Si., Director of Marine Resources at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, discussed “BMKT: Marine Resources in Policy Perspective”, emphasizing the importance of sustainable marine resource governance. Meanwhile, from the Faculty of Law UGM, Dr. Jur. Any Andjarwati, S.H., M. Jur., presented “Legal Studies on BMKT”, addressing regulatory aspects and legal protection in the utilization of BMKT.

Following the presentations, the event continued with an interactive discussion session that allowed participants to deepen their insights on maritime archaeology, policy perspectives, and legal regulations supporting the preservation of BMKT. The talkshow concluded with a group photo session.

This activity not only served as an academic platform that brought together perspectives from archaeology, marine sciences, and law, but also underscored the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in preserving Indonesia’s maritime heritage.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event supported SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by emphasizing the preservation of maritime heritage alongside the sustainable use of marine resources. In addition, the talkshow also contributed to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions through the strengthening of transparent legal regulations that prioritize public interests.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]