The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta commemorated World Social Work Day 2024 on Tuesday, March 19, with a public talk show highlighting the intersection of social work, environmental advocacy, and sustainable development.

Held in the first-floor lobby of the Faculty of Dakwah and Communication, the event was organized in collaboration with IPSPI DIY, LP3S, the IKS Student Association (HMPS-IKS), and AKSES, the Social Welfare alumni association.

The event carried the theme, “Social Work for Sustainable Development: Promoting Equity, Empowerment, and Environmental Justice,” and was followed by a communal iftar gathering attended by lecturers, students, alumni, and institutional partners.

Opening the event, Prof. Marhumah, Dean of the Faculty of Dakwah and Communication, praised the initiative and emphasized the importance of commemorating World Social Work Day as part of strengthening public awareness of the profession’s role in society.

The talk show, which began at 3:30 p.m., featured Johanes Jenito, an environmental activist from Kaoem Telapak, alongside three alumni of the Social Welfare Study Program: Dede Dwi Kurniasih, M.Si. (Class of 2011), M. Ahsanuddin Firdaus, S.Sos. (Class of 2013), and Dhea Mursyidan, S.Sos. (Class of 2018). The discussion was moderated by Dr. Asep Jahidin, M.Si., a lecturer in the program.

Johanes, who has worked with Indigenous communities in Central Kalimantan since 2010 following a short-course program in the Philippines, spoke candidly about the political challenges surrounding environmental and Indigenous rights advocacy.

He pointed to the development of Indonesia’s new capital city, or IKN, as an example of how political interests can override community participation.

“We repeatedly submitted recommendations and input regarding the IKN project, but everything collided with political will,” he said. “Suddenly it became law, and the development moved forward.”

Johanes also described the decades-long advocacy efforts of Kaoem Telapak in pushing for legislation protecting Indigenous communities.

The discussion then shifted to social welfare practice at the grassroots level. Firdaus, now serving as a social worker with the East Java Social Affairs Office, shared his experience assisting former leprosy patients in Tuban, East Java, where stigma and discrimination continue to shape social exclusion.

He explained how the local government established social services and temporary housing facilities in Kampung Singgahan Tuban to support the reintegration of former leprosy patients into society.

Dede spoke about her work advocating for women’s reproductive health in remote areas, emphasizing the importance of social workers serving as connectors among government agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities.

She highlighted the growing relevance of the “pentahelix” approach, a collaborative framework that encourages partnerships across sectors.

Meanwhile, Dhea discussed her work with YBM Brilianin Yogyakarta, where she assists in managing Islamic philanthropic programs funded through zakat contributions from employees of Bank Rakyat Indonesia.

The organization’s programs include scholarships, economic empowerment initiatives, drought-response programs, microenterprise assistance, family stunting interventions, and religious mentoring for beneficiaries. Its service coverage extends across parts of Central Java, from Karanganyar to Cilacap.

The event concluded at 5:45 p.m. with a prayer led by Dr. Lathiful Khuluk, followed by a communal iftar and informal gathering among participants.