We would like to invite you to the 2025 Annual Convention on the Global South, organized by the Institute of International Studies (IIS), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This year’s convention will be held in person in Yogyakarta, on October 1st – 2nd, 2025. 

GO SOUTH 2025’s theme is “70 Years Bandung Spirit: Re-invigorating Decolonial Struggle amidst Geopolitical Turbulence.” It seeks to foster discussions and debates on the dynamics of the Global South, 70 years after the Bandung Conference. As material conditions of the Global South countries have changed and new global-regional powers have emerged, how can such a global emancipatory project be reinvigorated? How can imaginaries of the Bandung Spirit be expanded, to project ideas for a just and peaceful world order amidst current geopolitical turmoils? This forum provides platforms for academics, policymakers, and the general public to connect, collaborate, and interact with peers with regards to the above questions. read more

The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to affirm its academic excellence with the launch of a new scholarly book authored by three faculty members from the Department of Politics and Government: Alfath Bagus Panuntun El Nur Indonesia, M.A., A. Sudiana Sasmita, Ph.D., and Prof. Haryanto.

Titled “Understanding Indonesia’s Political System: An Introduction to Theory and Practice”, the book offers a significant contribution to political science literature in Indonesia. It serves as a strategic reference for students, academics, and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of the country’s political landscape. read more

The Institute for Policy and Development (PolDev), under the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) at Universitas Gadjah Mada, has released the second episode of its podcast series, Unitalks. This episode addresses the timely and critical topic of Data Transparency and Proxy Data, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring public access to information in Indonesia.

Hosted by Rizki Dwi Lestari, a researcher at the Department of Management and Public Policy (DMKP), the episode features guest speaker Rizki Ardinanta, a researcher at PolDev and Project Advisor at Unitrend. Together, they delve into the complexities surrounding public access to government data—especially in the realm of public policy—where transparency and accessibility remain limited. read more

Yogyakarta, July 11, 2025—The Department of Social Development and Welfare (PSdK), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (FISIPOL UGM), celebrated its 68th anniversary on Thursday (July 10). Since its founding on July 10, 1957, the department has traveled a long path of service, instilling the values of social development and welfare. Historically, the Department of Social Development and Welfare underwent a name change from the Department of Social Affairs through Government Regulation Number 15 of 1957, more precisely, referring to UGM Rector’s Decree Number 100/P/SK/HT/2010. read more

MEGASHIFT, a publication initiative by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) Universitas Gadjah Mada, has released its latest feature article highlighting urgent socio-political issues in Indonesia. Titled “Indigenous Women and the Politics of Periphery in Forest Conservation in Papua”, the article by Halimatu Sa’diah sheds light on the structural injustices faced by Indigenous Papuan women in their struggle to protect ancestral forests.

The article critically explores how Indigenous women—often positioned at the margins of state power—play a crucial role in forest conservation through their deep-rooted local knowledge. Through the lens of periphery politics, Sa’diah analyzes how centralized governance in Java, industrial expansion, and the inadequate legal protection for Indigenous communities have systematically marginalized women, both economically and socially. read more

Yogyakarta, July 10, 2025─In a significant step toward experiential learning, Master of Public Policy (MKP) students at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) conducted a field visit to the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). This visit was conducted as part of a field study on Regional Autonomy.

The event began with a presentation by Ni Made Dwipanti Indrayanti, Head of Bapperida DIY, who outlined strategic issues related to budget management and asset governance in regional development planning. Students listened attentively to the presentation, noting key points relevant to the implementation of regional autonomy and the complexities involved in local governance. read more

A FISIPOL UGM lecturer has launched her latest academic work in the book “Routledge Handbook of Human Rights in Southeast Asia” on Wednesday (July 9) during an event held at the University of Melbourne, Australia. The book is co-edited by Prof. Amalinda Savirani, lecturer at the Department of Politics and Government, FISIPOL UGM, and Dr. Ken M.P. Setiawan, Senior Lecturer in Indonesian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne.

This handbook represents a significant contribution to the study of human rights in Southeast Asia. Bringing together leading international experts, the book not only addresses the region’s most pressing human rights issues but also highlights the roles of actors and institutions working to foster improvement. read more

A lecturer from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL), Universitas Gadjah Mada, has contributed to the academic discourse on human rights with the launch of a new publication titled the Routledge Handbook of Human Rights in Southeast Asia. The book was officially launched at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and is co-edited by Prof. Amalinda Savirani, a lecturer from the Department of Politics and Government at FISIPOL UGM, alongside Dr. Ken M.P. Setiawan, Senior Lecturer in Indonesian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne. read more

The Department of Public Policy and Management (DMKP) at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), welcomed a study visit from the Faculty of Administration and Social Sciences, Universitas Bina Taruna (UNBITA) Gorontalo. The event was part of a collaborative academic initiative aimed at expanding inter-university engagement, particularly in the field of inclusive digital transformation policy and governance in Indonesia.

As part of the visit, students from UNBITA participated in a guest lecture delivered by Alvi Syahrina, S.T., M.Sc., a lecturer at DMKP UGM. The session, titled “Inclusive Digital Transformation Policy and Governance in Indonesia,” emphasized the need to view digital transformation not only as a technological advancement, but also through the lens of social justice, digital literacy, and the risks of digital exclusion. read more

Melbourne, 9 July 2025 — The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in partnership with the University of Melbourne, successfully held the 5th Australia-Indonesia in Conversation (AIC) 2025. This year’s forum took place at the University of Melbourne, Australia, following its previous iteration hosted at FISIPOL UGM.

Carrying the theme “Bridging Development, Representation, and Indigenous Knowledge: Learning from Australia and Indonesia”, the forum brought together scholars and representatives of Indigenous communities to discuss critical issues at the intersection of social justice, sustainable development, and recognition of local knowledge. read more