Semarang, io.undip.ac.id – Diponegoro International Office Hosts Asian-African Student Conference on Climate Justice and Sustainability
Semarang, Indonesia – The Diponegoro International Office (DIO) of Diponegoro University (Undip) recently hosted the Asian-African Student Conference, themed “Global South to South Cooperation: Climate Justice and Sustainability.” The event, held from July 29-31, 2024, brought together 42 international students from countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Ghana, the Philippines, The Gambia, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Timor-Leste, and Liberia. These students, currently studying at Indonesian universities such as UNY, UI, UGM, UIII, UNS, UPI, UMY, UDINUS, UIN Walisongo, and UNISSULA, participated in a series of discussions and activities aimed at fostering global cooperation and addressing pressing environmental issues.
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Welcoming Remarks and Keynote Addresses
The conference opened with a virtual address from Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Cooperation and Innovation at Undip. He extended a warm welcome to the international students and emphasized the importance of their roles as future leaders, activists, and researchers. Highlighting the theme of the conference, he stated, “This is a part of cross-continental partnership in a discussion regarding policy and framework about renewable energy. Let’s make the best of it.”
Pulung Widhi Hari Hananto, S.H., M.H., L.L.M., Head of DIO, echoed this sentiment, noting that the conference was inspired by the spirit of Indonesia’s national hero, Prince Diponegoro. “With the values of struggle from Prince Diponegoro, we move towards change,” he remarked, underscoring the conference’s focus on sustainable development.
Plenary Session Highlights
The event featured a plenary session with distinguished speakers including Tyas Baskoro Her Witjaksono Aji, Director for Asia-Pacific and African Intra and Inter-regional Cooperation; Dessy Ariyanti, Ph.D., Deputy Head of the UNDIP Ranking Office; Prof. Bulan Prabawani, Ph.D., ESD and Business Sustainability Expert of the SDGs Center UNDIP; and Pulung Widhi Hari Hananto, SH, MH, LLM
Tyas Baskoro Her Witjaksono Aji kicked off the session with a presentation on “Global South to South Cooperation: Climate Justice and Sustainability.” He discussed the importance of fairness, equity, and well-being in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), emphasizing that South to South Cooperation is crucial for tackling global challenges.
Following this, Dessy Ariyanti, Ph.D., addressed “South to South Cooperation for Global Challenges,” focusing on the need for sustainable resource management in the face of increasing global populations. She highlighted the role universities can play as catalysts in fostering South to South Cooperation and developing innovative solutions to the global climate crisis.
Prof. Bulan Prabawani, Ph.D., then spoke on “The Private Sector’s Role in Advancing SDGs,” stressing the need for collaboration across all sectors to achieve sustainable development. She noted that both Asia and Africa face significant environmental challenges, with high emissions in Asia due to industrial activity and a population crisis in Africa. The private sector, she argued, must prioritize ecosystem sustainability and energy conservation.
Pulung Widhi Hari Hananto concluded the plenary session with a presentation on “Climate Action and Climate Justice,” drawing on the shared historical struggles of Asian and African countries. He highlighted the urgent need for ecosystem conservation to address the climate crisis and encouraged students to increase their awareness, engage in research and innovation, and collaborate with other sectors to drive change.
Panel Discussions on Key SDGs
The conference also featured in-depth panel discussions focusing on various SDGs, including:
- Panel 1: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- Panel 2: SDG 4 – Quality Education
- Panel 3: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Panel 4: SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Panel 5: SDG 13 – Climate Action
These sessions provided a platform for students and experts to discuss strategies and share insights on achieving these critical goals, reinforcing the conference’s overarching theme of sustainable development and cooperation.
Looking Ahead
The Asian-African Student Conference 2024 not only provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration but also served as a catalyst for future initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges. As the participants return to their respective institutions and countries, they carry with them the knowledge and inspiration to drive change in their communities
