The Board of Professors of Universitas Gadjah Mada (DGB UGM) inaugurated Dr. Dafri as a professor of human rights diplomacy and global leadership at the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), on Tuesday (Sep. 9) at the UGM Senate Hall.
In his inaugural address titled “Building and Strengthening Cosmopolitan Nationalism for the Fulfillment, Advancement, Respect, and Protection of Human Rights”, Professor Dafri emphasized the importance of fostering a new paradigm that integrates love for one’s homeland with global citizenship awareness.
“The successful development of cosmopolitan nationalism among citizens worldwide is a key foundation in preventing, halting, and resolving human rights violations,” he stated.
Professor Dafri highlighted the persistence of gross human rights violations across the globe, including genocide and systematic violence against minority groups.
He underscored the tragic irony of the modern world that, despite the existence of numerous international legal instruments, humanity remains vulnerable to atrocities.
This, he noted, reflects the gap between normative commitments and weak implementation on the ground.
“From a human rights perspective, we can say that the world is far from being in good condition,” he remarked.
Turning to Indonesia, Professor Dafri pointed out that the country still struggles with unresolved cases of gross human rights violations. Historical events recorded thousands of victims, yet legal settlements and reconciliation processes often stagnated.
He stressed that the pursuit of transitional justice is essential to prevent the inheritance of historical wounds.
“In Indonesia, gross human rights violations have occurred repeatedly, claiming thousands of victims, and remain unresolved through accountability mechanisms that meet the principles of transitional justice,” he explained.
Reflecting further, Professor Dafri argued that human rights are not simply given but are the outcome of long struggles against injustice.
Referring to the ‘school of protest,’ he described human rights as products of activism and resistance. Collective awareness and global citizen action, he said, are vital to safeguarding universal human values.
“Human rights are not something given, but the result of struggle and resistance against injustice and the demand for change,” he affirmed.
Professor Dafri also stated that nationalism and cosmopolitanism should not be placed in opposition but rather harmonized.
He introduced the concept of cosmopolitan nationalism, which combines patriotism with global responsibility.
Through this approach, individuals can take pride in their national identity while also caring about the suffering of fellow global citizens.
“Cosmopolitan nationalism is a concept that integrates the values of nationalism and cosmopolitanism, enabling individuals to maintain strong patriotism while respecting and participating in the global community,” he emphasized.
He further explained that the practice of cosmopolitan nationalism has long been present in Indonesia, rooted in the values of Pancasila.
Although its implementation has faced ups and downs, the spirit of combining nationalism with universal humanity remains relevant to contemporary challenges.
“The inclusion of the second principle, just and civilized humanity, affirms that Indonesia has adopted cosmopolitan ideals and is committed to the fulfillment, advancement, protection, and respect of human rights worldwide,” he noted.
Concluding his address, Professor Dafri called on people across the globe, particularly Indonesia’s younger generation, to become human rights advocates in their respective capacities.
He stressed that the struggle for humanity can be carried out through words, writing, solidarity actions, and cross-border diplomacy.
Thus, cosmopolitan nationalism should not remain an abstract concept but be translated into real practices to defend human dignity.
“We may not have weapons, power, wealth, or political platforms to fight for human rights, but we do have our spirit and body, conscience, morality and ethics, thoughts, voices, and pens,” he concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian