Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Mount Fuji Research Institute (MFRI) and NPO Volcano Tokyo, and fully supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the Grassroots Cooperation Program, has engaged in a multi-year partnership aimed at reducing volcano disaster risk between Indonesia and Japan.
This partnership culminated most recently in the International Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction, which was held on May 12 in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
The project coordinator, Dr. Wiwiet Suryanto, a UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM) lecturer, emphasized that this initiative demonstrates how international collaboration can significantly strengthen local capacity to address geohazard threats.
According to Dr. Suryanto, Mount Fuji is a scenic natural landmark symbolizing Japan’s discipline and preparedness in disaster risk management.
“The experience of managing the risks of Mount Fuji offers valuable lessons for Indonesia, especially in developing early disaster education and community-based early warning systems,” he said on Tuesday (May 20).
According to Dr. Suryanto, the symposium brought together stakeholders from both countries to exchange experiences, insights, and best practices in natural disaster risk management, particularly those related to volcanic activity.
The topics covered included pre-disaster mitigation, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery strategies.
“The discussion also highlighted the importance of active participation from village communities, academic institutions, and local governments in building integrated community resilience,” he explained.
In addition to coordinating the project, Dr. Suryanto also accompanied the Indonesian delegation from Bali, which included the Chair of the Bali Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB), I Putu Suta Wijaya; the Head of the Center for Natural Disaster Studies (PSBA) at Udayana University, Professor I Nyoman Sutarja; and the Chair of the Association of Village Heads across Bali, I Gede Pawana.
Jennifer Sarah, Project Manager of the JICA Grassroots program, who has long supported the initiative, also facilitated the activities.
Chair of the Bali FPRB, I Putu Suta Wijaya, stressed the importance of expanding international networks to strengthen regional capacity.
“We witnessed firsthand how Japanese communities actively engage in mitigation processes, including policy planning. This offers many lessons that we can adapt to the local contexts of Bali and other regions in Indonesia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Sutarja from Udayana University emphasized the strategic role of universities in bridging science with field practices.
“Universities play a vital role in connecting technology, policy, and community needs. This activity underscores the urgency of that role,” the academic noted.
Dr. Suryanto reaffirmed that the Indonesian delegation’s visit is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaborative relations between institutions in Indonesia and Japan in the area of community-based disaster risk reduction.
The outcomes of the visit and symposium are hoped to be further developed into concrete collaborative programs, including disaster education, village volunteer training, and the application of appropriate technology for disaster-prone areas in Indonesia.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Wiwiet Suryanto