Centre for Trisakti and Saemaul Undong Studies of Universitas Gadjah Mada along with Saemaul Globalization Foundation hosted an international seminar entitled Rural Community Empowerment Based on Trisakti and Saemaul Undong. Speakers of the seminar were Anang Sutrisno (Director of Hanyukupi Ponjong village enterprise) and Sri Mulyani (Regional Planning and Development Agency Yogyakarta).
In the seminar on Wednesday (18/10) at UGM Graduate School, Dr. M. Mukhtasar Syamsuddin (Chairman of Centre for Trisakti and Saemaul Undong Studies), Kwon Gi Il (representative from Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government), and Lee Sang Wook (Secretary General of Saemaul Globalization Foundation) were seen also in attendance.
Mukhtasar in his speech explained the meaning of Saemaul Undong. Basically, Saemaul Undong is similar to the Indonesian cooperation (gotong royong). In detail, Saemaul Undong contains three things similar to the Trisakti principles, which are political sovereignty, economic independence, and state personality in line with culture.
“The effort made by the Centre for Trisakti and Saemaul Undong Studies was to implement the spirit of gotong royong in the Trisakti and the concept of Saemaul Undong,” said Mukhtasar.
One realisation of the cooperation between the Centre and Saemaul Globalization Foundation was the establishment of a hall for Saemaul Undong activities in Ponjong village, Gunungkidul regency.
Saemaul Globalization Foundation also formed Saemaul Pilot Project for Rural Building. Anang Sutrisno, explained the programme would run for five years, started with training on capacity building for the rural people and village potential exploration. Anang said this had produced cycling business of integrated farming between Saemaul Globalization Foundation, Yayasan Penablu, village authorities, farmer groups, and village enterprise.
Anang explained the cycling business integrated three sectors in the community (agriculture, cattle waste, and farming) that would be a business chain. According to Anang, they would develop cattle breeding and fattening with the target to increase cow population to meet the protein needs of the people.
“Presently, a cow communal cage has been constructed and ready for cow farming,” said Anang.
Lee Sang Wook said the Saemaul Undong was effective to eradicate poverty in South Korea based on community empowerment, especially rural community. Semaul Globalization Foundation has empowered the community by giving training and stimulants. By adopting local culture, Lee hoped the programme would be able to generate quality local products that still implement the new spirit of Saemaul Undong.