The Faculty of Law at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM) recently hosted the ASEAN in Today’s World (AsTW) 2025 program, a collaboration between FH UGM and Kyushu University.
The program ran for ten days, from Feb. 17 to 27.
Dean of FH UGM, Dr. Dahliana Hasan, stated that the AsTW program aims to raise awareness of often-overlooked issues in the context of ASEAN and the global community while also highlighting the crucial role of youth in shaping the ASEAN community and strengthening cooperation among countries in the region.
“FH UGM is very proud to host this year’s AsTW program. It presents an incredible opportunity to promote cultural exchange, deepen understanding, and foster international cooperation within ASEAN and beyond,” said Dr. Hasan in a statement sent to reporters on Monday (Mar. 10).
Several prominent guests attended the opening ceremony of the AsTW 2025 program at FH UGM, including Kyushu University Executive Vice President Professor Kenji Iwata and Assistant Director and Head of the Community Relations Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, Marisol Hernandez.
According to the dean, participants in the AsTW program were introduced to regional and global challenges. The program consisted of three main activities: courses, excursions, and NGO visits.
The courses featured academic sessions by Universitas Gadjah Mada and Kyushu University speakers, addressing contemporary issues relevant to the ASEAN region and the international community.
In addition to academic activities, participants participated in excursions designed to provide a deeper cultural understanding.
These activities included visits to several significant historical sites in Indonesia, such as the Yogyakarta Palace (Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat), Borobudur Temple, and Embung Kaliaji Village.
“These visits were intended to offer participants firsthand experiences to better understand Indonesia’s history, culture, and society, as well as their relevance to ASEAN’s development,” she explained.
Another vital component of the program was the NGO visit. Participants visited the Sapda Institute and the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada, which offered insights into the role of non-governmental organizations in addressing various social and cultural issues in the ASEAN region.
The visits also aimed to introduce participants to the multidisciplinary approaches needed to understand the challenges ASEAN countries face in the context of diversity and peace.
As the world becomes more interconnected, initiatives like the AsTW program are crucial in bridging cultural gaps and fostering mutual understanding among diverse communities.
“FH UGM is committed to nurturing the spirit of collaboration and cultural appreciation through this program, ensuring that participants leave with a richer understanding of ASEAN’s complexities and the global landscape,” she concluded.
Reporter: ASEAN in Today’s World 2025/Keynesha Aziza Himawan
Author: Lintang
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya