The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta organized a talk show to commemorate World Social Work Day 2026 under the theme “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.” The event was held through the collaboration of the IKS Study Program, the Social Work Professional Development Laboratory (LP3S), the IKS Student Association (HMPS), the Social Welfare Alumni Association (AKSES), and the Yogyakarta Regional Board of the Indonesian Association of Independent Professional Social Workers (IPSPI DIY).

The talk show took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The event served as a forum for discussion and reflection on the contribution of the social work profession in building a more harmonious and inclusive society.

The session was moderated by Nabil Rifqi Nidzomi, a member of the IKS Class of 2023, and featured three speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. They included Arin Mamlakah Kalamika, Ph.D., a lecturer at the IKS Study Program and a licensed social worker; Putri Jati Pertiwi, S.Sos., an AKSES alumna representing IPSPI DIY and currently serving as a guardian mentor at Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Atas (SRMA) 19 Bantul; and Raidah Syahirah, an IKS student from the Class of 2024 who actively volunteers in psychosocial support with Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) in disaster response efforts in Aceh.

During the discussion, the speakers explored the issue of social harmony from different perspectives. Dr. Arin Mamlakah explained the concept of Harambee, a philosophy originating from Africa that emphasizes collective effort and togetherness in achieving shared goals. According to her, this value closely resembles the Indonesian tradition of gotong royong, which has long been embedded in the country’s social life. She highlighted that this principle remains highly relevant as a foundation for maintaining social harmony within Indonesia’s diverse society.

Fieldwork experiences also became an important part of the discussion. Putri Jati Pertiwi shared her experiences accompanying communities through the Sekolah Rakyat program. She described the social dynamics encountered in the field and emphasized the vital role of social workers in providing guidance and empowerment for communities. She also encouraged students to actively contribute to various social welfare initiatives.

Meanwhile, Raidah Syahirah shared her experience serving as a volunteer during disaster response activities in Aceh. She noted that the knowledge gained during her academic studies proved highly valuable when applied in real-life situations in the field. Her experience illustrated how academic knowledge plays a significant role in supporting social practice in communities.

The talk show was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication, Arif Maftuhin, professors and lecturers from the Bachelor’s Program in Social Welfare and the Master’s Program in Social Welfare (MKS), Husain Maulana as the Chair of AKSES and IPSPI DIY, invited guests, as well as around 100 IKS students who participated enthusiastically.

The head of the organizing committee, Pahmi Ahmad Habibi from the IKS Class of 2024, stated that the commemoration of World Social Work Day provides an important opportunity to reaffirm the contribution of social workers in advancing social welfare development. He also noted that the event serves as a platform for students to introduce the social work profession to the broader public, particularly within the Yogyakarta region.

Furthermore, he explained that the Harambee theme reflects values of solidarity and togetherness in addressing various social challenges. These values were not only discussed conceptually but were also embodied in the collaborative organization of the event by multiple stakeholders. Through this experience, students gained opportunities to develop teamwork, communication, and social event management skills.

The Head of the Social Welfare Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Muhammad Izzul Haq, Ph.D., emphasized that the commemoration of World Social Work Day represents an important momentum to strengthen synergy among academics, practitioners, and the community in advancing the field of social work. He expressed hope that initiatives like this would encourage greater participation from various sectors in building a more just, inclusive, and prosperous society.

The talk show was further enlivened by a musical poetry performance by Akbar Ariantono, a student with a disability from the IKS Class of 2022. The event concluded with a prayer led by M. Ulil Absor, Head of the Master’s Program in Social Welfare (MKS), followed by a communal iftar gathering, symbolizing togetherness in line with the spirit of harmony highlighted in the commemoration of World Social Work Day 2026.