Indonesian University To Host Global Expertise Conference

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta will host the tenth Global Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) Conference from November 22 to 25, 2016, said a statement from UGM received by Antara here Saturday.

The conference, which has been held since 2006, brings together diverse stakeholders, including governments, communities, industries, and non-governmental organizations, apart from international organizations and academics engaged in development fields to discuss strategies in achieving a sustainable future.

"The RCE is a network of individuals, organizations and institutions, which works in the field of formal, informal and non-formal education for local and regional communities," the Head of UGM's Development of Technology, Puji Astuti said.

Meanwhile, the UGM's Vice Rector for Research and Community Service, Prof. Suratman stressed the importance of encouraging mutual cooperation as Indonesia's characteristic in building the future of the world.

"In the future we should build stronger unity among governments, academics, professionals, and NGOs, in addition to industries, and investors, in order to achieve sustainable education," he said.

Suratman explained the application of local wisdoms, especially the concept of "Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana", which is a special feature of sustainable education in Yogyakarta.

This concept establishes the relationship between man and man, man and nature, and man and the God, he added.

"The awareness of importance of these three relationships will encourage each individual to care more about environments," he said.

Currently, there are 138 RCEs around the world, some of which have been recognized as a member of the Global RCE under the United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Sciences (UNU-IAS), a leading research and teaching institution based in Tokyo, Japan.

Globally, RCE aims to generate, improve, and give priority to sustainable education by implementing action plans which are formulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (WDY)