The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta reaffirmed its growing role in global academic and humanitarian networks by serving as a strategic partner of the university’s Dialogue Center in the Studium General on Muslim-Christian Cooperation in Service Work, held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

The three-hour session, running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., brought together international and local partners, including the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), GKJTU Salatiga, and students from the International MA in Diaconic Management program at Bielefeld University, Germany. The event marked a continuation of ongoing collaborations between IKS, the Dialogue Center, and these global institutions.

Representing IKS were M. Izzul Haq, Ph.D, Lathiful Khuluq, Ph.D, and Dr. H. Zainudin, who contributed to discussions on interfaith social service practices and the role of social work in bridging communities across religious and cultural divides.

In his presentation, Dr. Izzul Haq highlighted the importance of moving beyond dialogue toward concrete, collaborative action. “Interfaith engagement in social service is not merely about conversation,” he noted. “It is about shared responsibility in addressing human suffering through inclusive and value-driven practice.”

The forum created a space for meaningful exchange among scholars, practitioners, and students from diverse backgrounds, exploring themes such as community-based service work, interfaith solidarity, and the evolving challenges of global humanitarian engagement.

As a follow-up to established partnerships, the event underscores IKS’s commitment to expanding international collaboration through joint research, academic exchange, and field-based learning initiatives. It also reflects the program’s broader vision of integrating Islamic values with social work practice to contribute to a more just and inclusive society.

Through initiatives like this, IKS continues to position itself not only as a national leader in social welfare education but also as an emerging contributor to global conversations on interfaith cooperation and social justice.