The Center for Character and Diversity Studies, UPT PKM UB held a National Symposium entitled “Exploring Diversity Towards Inclusive Citizenship Practices”, Friday, (24/11/2023) at the Oriza Hall Guest House, Universitas Brawijaya.
The Center for Character and Diversity Studies at Brawijaya University held a National Symposium to map the root of the problem of the emergence of exclusivism in current civic practices. This activity was held because of various conflicts and violence based on ethnic, racial and religious differences which will still occur throughout 2023.
Efforts to find a way out of this problem were made by inviting experts in diversity and inclusiveness studies as well as MKWK lecturers to dialogue and share experiences of what can be done when dealing with citizenship practices that tend to be exclusive in the midst of pluralistic Indonesian society.
In his presentation, symposium coordinator, In’amul Wafi explained that this National Symposium was the culmination of a podcast series of thematic editions of Religion, Pancasila, Citizenship and Indonesian language courses which had been held in 2023.
Wafi added that various activities initiated by the Center for Character and Diversity Studies are closely related to efforts to develop national character as part of efforts to help create grace for the universe.
Experts who expressed their views through this symposium included Dr. Zainal Abidin Bagir, Director of ICRS UGM and Founder of the School of Diversity; Prof. Dr. Syamsul Arifin, Vice Rector I, Muhammadiyah University of Malang; Prof. Dr. Moh. Fadli, S.H., M.Hum., Professor at the Faculty of Law, Brawijaya University; and acts as moderator Dr. Mohammad Anas, M.Phil, Head of UPT UB Student Personality Development. This event also involved the academic community, especially MKWK lecturers, to become participants. This was done to gather various perspectives regarding how to manage diversity in Indonesian life practices.
Through this National Symposium, it is hoped that experts and participants will first take an inventory of various issues and dimensions of contemporary citizenship practices that are considered exclusive and negate diversity.
Furthermore, through theoretical studies from various perspectives, experts and participants are expected to be able to trace the root of the problem of the emergence of civic exclusivity and find a way out.
UB Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Imam Santoso, M.P, when opening the symposium, emphasized that activities on the topic of diversity need to be disseminated not only internally at Brawijaya University, considering that diversity itself is the identity of the Indonesian nation which needs to be maintained well.
Zainal Arifin Bagir in his presentation said that diversity is something real, a fact that cannot be denied.
“The problem is how to manage diversity itself. So, three important questions that need to be answered regarding diversity are: how to live together? How is diversity managed? And how is equality and justice fought for? According to Zainal, the answers to these three questions are not single. “To manage diversity, various concepts and methods are also needed, not in the form of uniform measures as was done during the New Order era,” said Zainal.
The second speaker, Syamsul Arifin emphasized religious diversity. Religious diversity is social and spiritual capital, but it can also cause conflict if not managed well. So regarding religious diversity, one concept that can be used is pluralism, namely a value system that views the existence of diversity positively and optimistically, and accepts it as a reality that should be respected.
As the final speaker, Fadli traced Indonesia’s diversity through various traditions that have existed since ancient times. From trips to various regions in the archipelago, Fadli concluded various factors that led to diversity-based conflicts. These include a lack of historical awareness, intercultural friction, discrimination, inequality, weakened patriotism and intolerance.
At the end of the event, through various dialogues and intensive discussions between speakers and participants, it is hoped that important findings will emerge in the form of practical recommendations that are useful for solving contemporary citizenship problems, especially in the context of realizing inclusive citizenship. (UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
