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]

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]

As part of their end-of-semester assignment, Cultural Anthropology students taking the Rural Anthropology course went directly to the field, conducting research to deepen their understanding of the dynamics that occur in rural communities. In particular, the major theme researched by the students was the inequality that occurs in the village. This research was conducted in peri-urban areas around the Special Region of Yogyakarta, with the existence of a ringroad as a barrier to the definition of which area is a village area and which area is an urban area.

Throughout the lecture period, the material presented by Dr. Agung Wicaksono, M.A. as the lecturer of the course discussed a lot about the development of rural dynamics in Java – starting from the colonial era, the new order, reformation, to the present. Since the center of Indonesia’s government has always been in Java, the government’s control over villages in Java has also become a broader reflection of the government within the country. One of the impacts of government policies in rural Java is the emergence of various inequalities. Village officials had more land ownership rights than ordinary people. People who own land then have more capital to reap profits, especially when the New Order government began implementing the Green Revolution program. The landowners who benefited from the increase in capital during the green revolution were people who were influential in the village political sphere. One of the goals of the new order regime in implementing the green revolution program was to pacify the villagers, so that they would not create anti-government movements.

The traces of this inequality can still be seen in rural areas today. With the increase in the number of the newly rich (OKB) following the rise in market prices of some agricultural products in the early 2000s, wealth inequality has become increasingly visible in rural areas. For this reason, the end-of-semester assignment for this Rural Anthropology class was to go directly to the villages, to see the real situation unfolding there. The 76 students who took this class were divided into groups, each with 4-5 members. The villages visited included Hargowilis, Kokap District, Kulon Progo Regency; Gadingsari, Sanden District, Bantul Regency; and Sumber, Dukun District, Magelang Regency.

The group that went to Sumber Village, Magelang, consisted of four Cultural Anthropology students from batch 2023 – Agustina Herawati, Muhammad Syukur, Aisha Nur Fadillah, and Amadeus Abhirama. In a two-day research (November 26-27, 2024), the Sumber group tried to see how inequality arises, especially those related to gender. Sumber is a village on the slopes of Mount Merapi, with the majority of the population working as farmers. There is also a sand mining industry that has developed in recent years. From here, the Sumber group tried to see how the distribution of work and the division of tasks between the people in the village were compartmentalized between women and men. The research was conducted through in-depth interviews with residents and direct observation of the conditions around the village.

As a form of community service, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association (Kamastawa) held another “Kamastawa Teaching and Sharing” event on Sunday, October 22, 2024. This event is the result of collaboration between the social and community division (sosmas) and the scientific division, with the aim of having a positive impact on society, especially for children at the Wirobrajan branch of the PYI Yatim and Zakat Orphanage, Yogyakarta.

There were 16 children from grade 1 elementary to 1 junior high school involved in the event. The event opened at 09.00 AM WIB with an opening session and introductions. During the event, students and children had the opportunity to play together, creating a cheerful atmosphere with jokes and laughter. This togetherness became an important foundation in building intimacy between students and participants.

Opening session and introductions

After the introductory session and games, the event continued with teaching and learning activities. Participants were divided into three groups according to educational level: group 1 for grades 1-2 elementary school, group 2 for grades 3-4 elementary school, and group 3 for grades 5 elementary school to 1 junior high school. Each group received materials tailored to their age and level of understanding, ranging from daily Javanese conversation, Javanese script writing, Javanese assignment consultation, and so on. Various teaching methods were used by the students to make learning fun and easy for the children to understand.

Teaching-learning session

After the learning session was over, it was time for ice breaking, where the participants were invited to sing together the song aja ndomblong aja and follow the guessing game with prizes. This session succeeded in sparking the children to be active in an exciting way.

The children’s enthusiasm could be felt from the beginning to the end of the activity, especially during the distribution of small gifts as an appreciation for the participants’ activeness. In addition, Kamastawa also provided Pepak Basa Jawa books and reading books as a form of support for the participants future educational development. It is hoped that participants can easily access knowledge and enrich their insights, including those related to knowledge and preservation of Javanese culture.

The gifts given may be considered simple. However, prayers, hopes, and sincere intentions to share will live on and become the foundation in the implementation of the ‘Kamastawa teach and share’ program now and in the future.

Author : Haryo Untoro

Pangalengan, 03/06/2024-The Independent Study Program at the Export School is an off-campus learning program prepared for students throughout Indonesia who have passed verification and validation of student files. This program is carried out in a hybrid manner (online through Zoom meetings and offline for students who want to take part in bootcamp and JJE) every Monday to Friday with the division of morning classes at 08:00-09:30 and evening classes at 19:00-20:30. Learning at the School of Export contains practical material summarized in 8 modules so that students are ready to become export business actors who optimize advances in digital technology.

The Independent Study Program at the School of Export begins by providing comprehensive knowledge about the opportunities to become an exporter in the era of increasingly open global trade, with briefings on the global economy, international trade regulations, and customs. Participants will undergo a team building process accompanied by mentors to understand export potential in various regions and develop export products that utilize retail and online market access, both nationally and globally. Students will also get the opportunity for onboarding in global marketplaces as well as participating in trade shows and business matching. This program is expected to create new exporters who support the government’s target of 500,000 exporters by 2030.

Sekolah Ekspor offers learning modules that cover various important aspects such as export research and strategy, export product development, digital business branding and marketing, to international logistics and customs. Each module in this learning includes independent assignments, practicums, and team projects. Through teamwork, students practice modules such as export product development, digital marketing strategies, and global market analysis with the aim that students will be able to identify and develop local products that have the potential for the export market, both in the form of their own design work and products from MSMEs that are rebranded by utilizing advances in digital technology. This program not only provides access to quality education in line with SDGs 4, but also supports creating jobs in the export-import sector through digital technology, encourages innovation by helping students develop local products to become global, reduces economic disparities between regions, and strengthens international partnerships through collaboration with various parties, including the government and MSMEs.