FISIPOL UGM has once again added to its roster of Professors. Prof. Dr. Dafri Agussalim, M.A., lecturer at the Department of International Relations (DIHI), has been officially inaugurated as a Professor in the field of Human Rights Diplomacy in ASEAN and Global Political Leadership.
This inauguration marks an important milestone, not only for Prof. Dafri personally but also for FISIPOL UGM in strengthening its academic contributions at both the national and international levels. As a scholar who has long been engaged in the study of international relations, democracy, and human rights, Prof. Dafri underscored the importance of human rights diplomacy as an instrument to drive change in the region and to enhance Indonesia’s role in global political leadership.
In his inaugural speech, Prof. Dafri raised the theme of human rights diplomacy in ASEAN and the prospects for Indonesia’s global leadership. Several key points he conveyed include:
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Human rights diplomacy in ASEAN still faces major challenges due to the competing political interests among member states. However, ASEAN continues to have opportunities to strengthen human rights protection mechanisms through collective frameworks.
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Indonesia is seen as having crucial assets—such as its democratic system, dynamic civil society, and solid international reputation—to play a more active role in regional human rights issues.
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Global political leadership is not solely determined by economic or military power but also by moral capacity and the ability to advance universal values such as justice, democracy, and human rights.
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International collaboration and the strengthening of civil society roles are considered key so that Indonesia’s human rights diplomacy does not remain merely symbolic, but results in meaningful policy outcomes.
His speech highlighted both optimism and a call to continue advancing more substantive human rights diplomacy, both within ASEAN and in Indonesia’s broader global role.
The ideas put forward by Prof. Dafri align with the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which emphasizes the importance of human rights, access to justice, and the development of inclusive institutions at all levels. In addition, his vision is closely connected to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the promotion of regional and international collaboration in strengthening human rights diplomacy.
Prof. Dr. Dafri Agussalim’s inaugural speech can be accessed here.