UNAIR NEWS – In response to ongoing concerns about violence, the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) hosted a seminar titled Sarasehan: Weaving Social Harmony Towards a Violence-Free Society. The event featured Jairi Irawan, SHum, MKp, a member of the East Java Provincial House of Representatives and an alumnus of UNAIR’s Indonesian Language and Literature program, as a keynote speaker.
Joining him were two additional panelists: Dr. Listiyono Santoso, SS, MHum, Vice Dean I of FIB, and Kukuh Yudha Karnanta, SS, MA, a lecturer in the English Language and Literature program. The seminar also featured opening remarks from the Dean of FIB UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Purnawan Basundoro, SS, MHum.
During his speech, Prof. Basundoro reflected on Indonesia’s historical challenges with social harmony.
“In 1997–1998, Indonesia underwent an economic downturn that triggered a widespread social crisis, among other issues, leading to severe instability. One of the most significant repercussions was the disruption of social harmony, which posed a major threat to national unity,” he explained.
Significance of openness
Prof. Basundoro emphasized that fostering social harmony requires a commitment to openness and mutual trust. Indonesia’s pluralism is deeply rooted in diverse backgrounds, including religion, with six officially recognized faiths in the country,” he noted.
He underscored the importance of embracing this diversity rather than resisting it, emphasizing that the nation’s heterogeneous makeup is an inherent reality.
“We must acknowledge and accept that Indonesia is a pluralistic society, composed of various ethnic groups. These differences should be preserved and nurtured,” he asserted.
Encouraging dialogue and multicultural education
Beyond openness, Prof. Basundoro highlighted the necessity of promoting dialogue as a means to strengthen social harmony in Indonesia’s multicultural landscape. “Dialogue is essential in helping us understand different communities. Given the diversity of our ethnic and religious backgrounds, it is crucial to engage in conversations that foster mutual understanding,” he stated.
He also stressed the role of multicultural education in reinforcing social cohesion. “Expanding our knowledge of diversity will help us develop a stronger sense of collective awareness and inclusivity,” he added.
In closing, Prof. Basundoro urged students to actively contribute to maintaining and celebrating Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity. “Let us protect and uphold our diversity so that our nation remains strong and unified,” he concluded.
Author: Mohammad Adif Albarado
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
