From March to June 2024, Jesse Puspita, a student in the English Literature Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, had the opportunity to become a local buddy for several members of Chi Alpha America.

Chi Alpha is an English-speaking community aimed at helping students aged 18-26 to discover who you are and connect with God. The community is open to everyone, and those who want to join do not need to worry if they are not confident in their English, as Chi Alpha is a safe place where no one will judge. In fact, this community can help improve its members’ English-speaking skills.

Chi Alpha Yogyakarta holds regular meetings every Friday at 6:30 PM WIB at IEC C. Simanjuntak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Activities include playing games, chatting, and eating together. Each meeting features a speaker who presents material that then becomes the subject of small group discussions. These small groups allow members to share and learn from each other.

As mentioned earlier, the main goal of this community is to help students discover who you are and connect with God. Chi Alpha provides a platform for students seeking a community and friends who support each other in personal and spiritual development.

Jesse has gained many benefits from joining Chi Alpha. “Of course, I made friends, I learned many new and exciting games, I improved my English speaking skills, and I learned a lot about self-development that I had never encountered before,” said Jesse.

Occasionally, teams from Chi Alpha America come to visit, adding an exciting dimension to the experience. This interaction not only provides an opportunity to make new friends from abroad but also to learn a lot about American culture. They come to Indonesia to volunteer at IEC, visit campuses in Yogyakarta, and learn about the local academic environment. Each team usually consists of about 7-9 people.

Chi Alpha is more than just an English-speaking community. It is a place where students like Jesse can find friendship, support, and opportunities for personal growth while connecting with God. For anyone looking for a welcoming environment that enriches their abilities and knowledge, Chi Alpha is the perfect choice.

Cologne, Germany – Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi Hargo Yuwono, M.A., a Professor of Anthropology at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), recently gave a presentation at a workshop titled “Realising nature(s) with protected areas in Namibia and Germany – pasts, presents, and futures” held at the University of Cologne on June 20-21, 2024. The workshop was attended by the academic community of the University of Cologne.

In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi discussed the success of German forests in maintaining environmental sustainability amidst capitalistic pressures and industrial development. German forests, covering 11.4 million hectares or 32.6% of the country’s area, serve as an example of fortunate forests due to their strict protection and resistance to arbitrary land conversion. This is in stark contrast to the condition of forests in many parts of the world that have suffered severe damage due to deforestation.

Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi explained that in the 18th century, German forests experienced significant degradation. However, this period of difficulty actually spurred increased public awareness, formed new social relationships, and prompted the establishment of institutions focused on forest conservation. The current status of German forests is the result of a long history of environmental and social relationships deeply rooted in respect for nature, which has become part of German culture.

Additionally, Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi emphasized that the sustainability of German forests is supported by beneficial capitalistic relationships related to industrialization in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. He further discussed how capitalized German forests can benefit from the current socio-political tensions within German society and how this understanding can help explain why forests in other countries exposed to and placed in capitalistic relationships are not as fortunate as German forests.

Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi’s presentation provided deep insights into how history, culture, and economy can play a role in forest conservation. The discussion sparked by this presentation is expected to inspire forest conservation efforts in other countries facing similar challenges. In conclusion, a holistic approach involving environmental awareness, social relationships, and economic benefits can be key to preserving forests worldwide.

Author: Afif Naufal Widiadi