UNU Jogja Academic Appears as Panelist at the KAICIID International Fellows Programme 10th Anniversary Global Gathering in Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal — Dr. Wiwin Siti Aminah Rohmawati, Senior Advisor at the Center for Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) of Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), appeared as a panelist at the KAICIID International Fellows Programme 10th Anniversary Global Gathering in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday, 10 December 2025. Her participation highlights UNU Jogja’s growing role as a private university in Yogyakarta that actively engages in global collaboration.

In the session titled “The Human Impact of Dialogue – The Film: Screening and Discussion on the Transformative Impact of Dialogue,” Dr. Wiwin discussed how interfaith dialogue can create meaningful change in people’s lives, especially in societies marked by polarization, distrust, and identity-based conflict.

During the forum, Dr. Wiwin reflected on her experience of working within systems that are often resistant to change, emphasizing that her resilience is rooted in personal values and spiritual conviction.

“I hold firmly to the principle of consistency—that even the smallest efforts contribute to a greater moral purpose. Change may be slow, but sustained commitment will move it forward,” she said.

She also cited Islamic teachings that the best people are those who bring the greatest benefit to others, as well as Qur’an Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11), which teaches that change will only come when people are willing to change themselves. For Dr. Wiwin, striving for justice, human dignity, and the common good is not only a moral responsibility, but also a form of worship.

Addressing the challenge of sustaining dialogue when social trust is fragile, Dr. Wiwin stressed the importance of returning to the true essence of dialogue.

“Dialogue begins with humility—the willingness to listen before responding. When trust is shaken, creating a safe space where people can share without fear of being judged is the first step toward rebuilding it,” she explained.

She added that honesty, sincerity, and the willingness to acknowledge past misunderstandings are key to restoring relationships between groups. Trust, she noted, does not return overnight, but can grow through consistent respect for each person’s dignity and perspective.

Dr. Wiwin also shared a personal story from her early years as an interfaith activist in Yogyakarta. A simple question from a Christian friend about why she wears a headscarf and how Islam views polygamy became a turning point that deepened her understanding of her own faith.

“Dialogue pushes us to examine our own beliefs more honestly and critically. From there, I learned that interfaith dialogue requires both the courage to question ourselves and the openness to grow and change,” she said.

Dr. Wiwin’s presence at this global forum reflects the quality of UNU Jogja’s human resources as a private university in Yogyakarta that actively contributes to global conversations on peace, diversity, and social justice.

As Senior Advisor of GEDSI UNU Jogja, she has for more than two decades been involved in key institutions such as Interfidei, the Institute of Southeast Asian Islam (ISIAS), and the Yogyakarta Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) for the 2014–2024 period. She is also a co-founder of Srikandi Lintas Iman and a consultant for the KAICIID – Multi-religious Collaboration for the Common Good project in Indonesia.

Her work has received international recognition through prestigious programs, including the KAICIID Fellows Programme, the U.S. Department of State’s Religious Freedom and Interfaith Dialogue Exchange Program, and the Australia Award Indonesia Leadership Development Program for Multifaith Women Leaders. She is also a recipient of the Rambam Program and has served as a Visiting Scholar at the Norwegian Center for Human Rights (NCHR), University of Oslo.

The participation of UNU Jogja’s academic community in global forums such as KAICIID underscores that UNU Jogja is not only an educational institution, but also an important actor in social diplomacy and inter-civilizational dialogue at the international level. [Latifah]