UGM is ready to hold the International World Conference on Science, Education, and Culture(WISDOM) 2010 event at a number of cultural and historical sites in Yogyakarta from 8 to 11 November 2010. UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., said the conference’s keynote speaker is Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, Nobel laureate 2006 on world peace, also the founder of Grameen Bank and a member of the Board of Directors of the United Nations. "He has already confirmed his presence in the world conference event," said Prof. Sudjarwadi in a press conference at the Multimedia Room of UGM, Friday (15/10).
Sudjarwadi on the occasion was accompanied by Chairman of Organizing Committee, Prof. Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D., Steering Committee, Prof. dr. Srisupar Yati Soenarto, Sp. A (K), Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. dr. Soenarto Sastrowijoto, Sp. THT (K).
Sudjarwadi added that generally the Organizing Committee states that they have been prepared and ready in accordance with the phases of the work that are planned, including coordination with the WISDOM supporting partners. He explained the major theme raised in this conference is Local Wisdom Inspiring Global Solutions. Another major agenda of WISDOM 2010 is colloquium in honor of Dr. Ann Dunham, mother of U.S. President, Barack Obama, and the late Prof. Dr. Mubyarto who is known as a community-based economy fighter. "Incidentally, these two figures are known as the figures that develop the community-based economy," he said.
Ann Dunham is known as an anthropologist. In her dissertation she raised the topic of blacksmithing in Province of Yogyakarta Special Region and Central Java. In addition, she raised many issues concerning women, particularly in rural areas of Java. At present, this issue has become highly contextual to be implemented after 1998’s reforms. "So, between the three figures, Yunus, Ann Dunham, and Prof. Mubyarto, there are closeness and knowledge relevancies to be studied. They often raised the issues about microfinance and community economy which are very useful for others," Sudjarwadi added.
Meanwhile, Prof. Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D., added that WISDOM will discuss at least six major themes, including Managing Multiculturalism, Complexities and Contradictions, Education in a Global World, Continuity and Change, Managing the Environment, Learning from the Past, Reaching for the Future, Technology and Socio-Cultural Change, Heritage Tourism and the Creative Economy, Local Knowledge and Global Health. "With these topics, we hope that local wisdom can be extracted in a world filled with the values of human life and is associated with its role to inspire solutions to the current world problems," he said.
He added that local wisdom has the great potential and power to inspire the synthesis of diverse solutions to world's problems, which in turn gives benefits in order to improve the quality of life. WISDOM 2010 supported by 30 higher education institutions and 6 ministries in Indonesia will be followed by about 750 participants from 15 countries. According to the plan, the event will be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. A day earlier, rectors from the 30 institutions will also conduct tree planting together with Minister of State for Environment, Gusti Muhammad Hatta. At the end of the event, WISDOM 2010 will be declared. "It is planned that it will be opened by Mr. President. He also supported it because this event is expected as the beginning of the World Culture Forum 2012 in Bali," he added.
In the event, several multi-dimensional figures of the country will present in this event, such as Prof. Dr. Sri Edi Swasono, Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra, Prof. Dr. Franz Magnis-Suseno, Prof. dr. Arief Rachman, M.Pd., Dr. Ninok Laksono, Dr. Charles Saerang, Garin Nugroho, Dwiki Dharmawan, and Carmanita. Academic figures will also be attending the event, including Prof. Michael Hitchock, Ph.D. (UK), Prof. Dr. Datuk Mohd. Dalimin Noh (Malaysia), Dr. Nancy Cooper (USA), and Prof. Kaoru Takara (Japan).