UNU Jogja Explores Collaboration with AFSC/YKPI to Strengthen Community Empowerment and ASEAN Networks

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) initiated a collaborative partnership with American Friends Service Committee / Yayasan Keadilan dan Perdamaian Indonesia (YKPI) to strengthen community empowerment programs, enhance student capacity development, and expand collaboration networks at national and ASEAN regional levels on Tuesday, May 19.

Yayasan Keadilan dan Perdamaian Indonesia (YKPI), as part of AFSC, focuses on issues related to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion), as well as environmental justice, including climate change action initiatives.

The meeting was attended by the Directorate of Community Service and Social Laboratory team of UNU Jogja, namely Joko Susilo, Saeroni, and Ike Cristanti, along with AFSC/YKPI representative Kristina Viri.

Director of Community Service and Social Laboratory at UNU Jogja, Joko Susilo stated that both parties discussed various areas of collaboration, ranging from community empowerment, social assessment, community organizing, public forum management, to policy advocacy involving communities and government stakeholders.

“This collaboration is a strategic step to strengthen the university’s role in community engagement while also opening national and international opportunities for students through community development programs, internships, and ASEAN networking forums,” he said.

The discussion also highlighted several assisted areas that have the potential to become collaborative spaces with the UNU Jogja Social Laboratory, including Minomartani and Purwomartani in Sleman, Sriharjo in Bantul, and Baciro in Yogyakarta City. These areas focus on issues such as child protection, women’s empowerment, GEDSI, waste management, and social as well as interfaith conflict resolution.

In addition to community empowerment initiatives, the partnership also opens opportunities for student capacity development through internship programs integrated with community development projects in collaboration with AFSC/YKPI. The program is considered relevant for several study programs at UNU Jogja, including Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies, English Education, Elementary School Teacher Education, Accounting, Management, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Informatics.

UNU Jogja students will also have the opportunity to participate in the ASEAN Youth Forum Bootcamp involving participants from Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

“This program is part of the delegate selection process for the ASEAN People Forum sub-side event of the ASEAN Youth Forum 2026, which will be held in Manila, Philippines. The opportunity is open to students from all study programs at UNU Jogja,” Joko explained.

The collaboration is considered aligned with UNU Jogja’s vision, mission, strategic goals, and Key Performance Indicators (KPI), particularly in strengthening outcome-based curricula that support SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). In addition, the partnership also supports the enhancement of students’ national and international experiences through internships, multinational projects, and international organizational networks.

As a follow-up, both parties plan to organize the Student Social Impact Forum/AFSC-YKPI Goes to Campus program on Monday (May 25) at UNU Jogja. The event will include an ASEAN youth survey, ASEAN Youth Forum roadshow, and socialization of internship and community development programs for students.

Through this initiative, UNU Jogja reaffirms its commitment to expanding strategic cross-sectoral and international collaborations in order to create impactful and adaptive higher education while encouraging students to become agents of change at both local and global levels. [Latifah]