In celebration of Indonesia’s 79th Independence and the 75th anniversary of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the Directorate of Community Service, in collaboration with the independent research institute Sustainiate, launched a book titled “Menuju Indonesia Emas: Berkeadilan, Bermartabat, Berkelanjutan dan Berketahanan Iklim” (Towards a Golden Indonesia: Just, Dignified, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient).
The book was officially launched on Monday (Aug. 19) at an event in Multimedia Room 1, UGM Central Office.
Professor Supriyadi, UGM Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Finance, emphasized that the book results from a collaboration between UGM’s Directorate of Community Service and Sustainiate.
He highlighted that the book comprehensively covers various aspects essential to achieving a Golden Indonesia, including humanity, human resources, social issues, economy, technology, and energy.
“UGM is highly committed to supporting the achievement of a Golden Indonesia through sustainable efforts and actively engaging in community empowerment through research tailored to Indonesia’s needs and industries,” Professor Supriyadi stated.
Dr. Arie Sujito, UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of constructive criticism in expressing love for Indonesia. He also praised the book as a tangible contribution.
“The book’s theme reflects Indonesia’s pressing concerns, such as food and energy crises and environmental degradation. However, amidst these challenges, the book offers hope and solutions that can be implemented to address these issues,” he said.
Ganjar Pranowo, Chair of the UGM Alumni Family (Kagama), who participated in the event virtually, shared his thoughts on the book. He noted that it captures the dreams and goals of achieving a Golden Indonesia.
“There are many important notes in this book that can serve as a reference and guide in our journey towards a Golden Indonesia. We can also anticipate its impact,” he explained.
During the discussion session, Yanuar Nugroho, Coordinator of the Expert Team of the National Secretariat for SDGs, offered a critical perspective on the book. He highlighted the challenge of making the content relevant to policymakers.
“If you want to present this to policymakers, turn it into a policy brief or an infographic. Explain the background, the problems, and the solutions,” Nugroho suggested.
Metta Dharmasaputra, CEO of Katadata, also commented on the book’s content, noting that it vividly depicts Indonesia’s challenges in achieving a Golden Indonesia. He encouraged disseminating the book’s content through various media to ensure it was widely understood.
“I hope the launch of this book will spark new, more productive discussions in support of achieving a Golden Indonesia,” he concluded.
The launch of this book marks a significant step in reinforcing UGM’s and various stakeholders’ commitment to supporting sustainable and resilient development in Indonesia. The book is expected to serve as a valuable reference for policymakers, academics, and the general public in realizing the vision of a Golden Indonesia by 2045.
Author: Lintang
Editor: Gusti Grehenson