[Yogyakarta, July 11^th 2023] – The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia held the opening of the MMAT 2023 Summer Course Program on “Southeast Asia in the Dynamic of Indo-Pacific”. The event is supported by the Office of International Affairs (OIA) UGM and the Department of Education and Future Design, Tamkang University, Taiwan.

This year MMAT 2023 Summer Course Program is a premier educational platform designed to foster knowledge exchange and promote deeper understanding of the geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia. The school brings together prominent lecturers and researchers from around the globe, providing a unique opportunity for participants to engage with experts in the field and gain valuable insights into the region’s challenges and opportunities. read more

On Monday (10/07/2023), Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) welcomed 24 students from National Cheng Chi University (NCCU), Taiwan, as well as opened Southeast Asian Culture and Language Training Program (SEA-GATE) 2023.

On behalf of CESASS director Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A. welcomed and officially opened NCCU SEA-GATE Program 2023 (10—24 July 2023). “In Indonesia, you can talk to everyone, they will love it, especially when they meet foreigners who can speak Indonesian. Please use this opportunity to improve your cultural understanding about Indonesia as well as your language skills”, he said. read more

Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies, UGM presents: CESASS Talk Series #1: the Urban Future Development in Southeast Asia!

Date: Monday, July 17th, 2023
Time: 09.00-11.00 am (Jakarta Time)
Zoom Meeting ID: 995 7824 5900
Passcode: 469130

🎤Speakers:

1) Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T.: Urban Geography and Urban Development in SEA
2) Dr. Arif Akhyat, M.A.: Urban History of SEA
3) Prof. George Pomeroy, Ph.D., AICP: Urban Planning in SEA
4) Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong: Sustainable Urban Development in SEA read more

On Thursday (15/06/2023), a preliminary report presentation of the Citizen Satisfaction Survey on Infrastructure Implementation in the City of Yogyakarta in 2023 was held. The event took place in the Main Pillar Room, 1st Floor, at the Office of Public Works, Housing, and Settlement Areas (DPUPKP) in Yogyakarta City. This collaborative activity involved the DPUPKP of Yogyakarta City and the Center for Southeast Asia Social Studies at Gadjah Mada University (CESASS UGM).

The team consists of:

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. read more

Southeast Asia is a region developing and expanding fast in terms of population, importance, and interconnectedness. While the future beckons promisingly for the continued success of the region, potential backsliding into instability threatens to change this trajectory. Non-traditional aspects of security now take the forefront of issues threatening this backsliding. While changes in the balance of power between Southeast Asian nations or the efficacy of institutions remain integral to the region’s future, threats like a warming and unpredictable climate or breaches in cyber-security now have the potential to drastically change the state of security in the region.  read more

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted in 1948 by the international community,proved that human rights  were being accepted as universal norms that needed to be respected, protected, and promoted. The phrase in the UDHR “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” means that  everyone is equal in claiming their rights without distinction. This is supported by the first paragraph of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Actions preambular, where it recognizes human rights as a universal norm by stating that “All human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated.” UDHR as a foundation of international treaties later became the foundation of other international human rights instruments including Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The existence of CEDAW in international law marks the importance of protection and promotion of women’s rights and gender equality between men and women, but in the process of gender equality to some women it is more challenging especially to women from minority communities, like indigenous women. Report from the United Nation (UN) special rapporteur on violence against women by Reem Alsalem stated that indigenous women and girls experienced systematic discrimination in indigenous and non-indigenous justice system (United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, 2022). Furthermore, the Human Rights Committee in their General Comment No. 28, art. 3 highlight that the inequality of the enjoyment of rights by women is deeply embedded in tradition, history and culture including religious attitudes.  read more

On Tuesday (30/05), the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CESASS) UGM hosted Filipino international relations student, Shynna Nor M. Siawan, in the Country In Focus. CIF is a discussion to get to know Southeast Asian countries from a native perspective. Shynna shared her story about the background and culture of the Philippines in front of the college students.

On the second floor of the PSSAT building, Syhnna opened her presentation by introducing the geographical location of the Philippines. Like Indonesia, the Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago. There are 7,600 islands so there are many beach attractions worth visiting. Syhnna recommended El Nido and Puerto Pricesa in Palawan Province. If you prefer mountain views, she recommended Mayon Volcano and Chocolate Hills. read more

Last Friday (26/05), Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CESASS) UGM organised Country In Focus, a discussion agenda to get to know Southeast Asian countries from the natives. In this session, Thoon Nadi Lynn, an international communication student from Myanmar, introduced the beauty of Myanmar’s culture and history. Prof. Dr Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. as the Head of CESASS  was also present to give a speech on 2nd floor of CESASS building. 

Geographically, Myanmar is located in the west of Southeast Asia. Most of its citizens are Buddhist so there are many Pagodas and Viharas. In his presentation, Thoon also introduced popular tourist attractions in Myanmar, such as the heart-shaped lake Rih Lake, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia Hkakabo Razi, the beautiful white sandy beach Ngapali Beach, and the historic palace Mandalay Palace.  read more

On Wednesday (24/05), Center for Southeast Asia Social Studies (CESASS) UGM welcomed students from Kajian Organisasi Internasional (KOIN), Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta. The 15 students were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati as the Director of CESASS. 

The purpose of this visit is to know the profile of PSSAT, forms of cooperation, as well as challenges and obstacles while working in the field of research. In addition, students also learnt the process of social studies and the variety of research produced by PSSAT.  read more

On Tuesday (28/03/2023), an international relation student Gadjah Mada University, named Shynna Nor M. Siawan presented her advocacy project entitled “Provision to ban FGM (Sunat Perempuan) in Indonesia to Global Arena”. The sharing session is part of intern’s activity in Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies Gadjah Mada University. She shared this topic because she want to spread awareness that FGM has become big issue in the world. 

At the beginning of her presentation, Shynna said that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Sunat Perempuan is an ancient tradition of removing the female external genitalia (performed on children) with no medical prescription. Commonly, it is happened in islamic countries such as Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Africa, ect.  They do FGM for some reason like purity, cleanness, and control sexual desire for woman. Unfortunately, This practice has been passed down from generation to generation. Many young women end up practicing FGM because they have been indoctrinated that it is the right thing to do. read more