Knowledge on the Southeast Asian region is a crucial topic to be embedded towards Indonesia’s younger generation as early as possible within the formal education system. This matter has become even more important as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has taken place back in 2015. By studying about the Southeast Asian region, it is hoped that the students can have a greater awareness about being part of a nation in the Southeast Asian region, and to introduce them about the ASEAN as an organisation which accommodates countries within this region.
This is what has motivated the students of SMA Negeri 1 (SMAN 1) Karanganyar, Central Java to pay a visit and study at the Centre for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESSAS) Universitas Gadjah Mada. The purpose of their visit was as part of their outing class for Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan (PKn) or civic education class. The director of CESSAS UGM, Dr. phil. Hermin Indah Wahyuni and Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto as the researcher staff of CESSAS welcomed the presence of 50 students of SMAN 1 Karanganyar accompanied by their teacher, Mr. Agus. Afterwards, the students went on to study the topic of Southeast Asia as a region namely; the countries within the region, the culture and history, economic development and ASEAN as an organisation. To support the process of studying, Gharin Putra Yanotama as the program manager in CESSAS UGM facilitated the session and elaborated on the materials for the students.
For about more than an hour, the students gained insight on Southeast Asia. A process of dialogue started between Gharin as the facilitator and the students. Some of the students showed interest towards ASEAN, and was curious on how the process of selecting the head of ASEAN was chosen and whether or not East Timor would join ASEAN. The outing class was closed with an introduction of CESSAS UGM as an institution. (MLK/Dipka)