Yogyakarta, 24th of October 2024—Fisipol UGM’s Institute of International Studies (IIS) held a seminar and Massive Online Open Courses Launching Program titled “Netizens are also Citizens: Rallying Digital Activism”. This event, which was held on Thursday (24/10) at Fisipol UGM’s Auditorium, is a part of cooperation between IIS and the British Council. Summer Xia, as Country Director of Indonesia South East Asia Cluster Lead British Council, appreciated the cooperation and hoped that this class could push digital activism as a way to push better social transformation. Luqman Nul Hakim, S.I.P., M.A., Ph.D., as both a lecturer at UGM’s Department of International Relations and the director of IIS, also hoped that with the launch of the programs, it can be a part of a legacy of knowledge. “Thank you to all the researchers and teams involved in sharing their experience and knowledge for free,” mentioned him. Having the same hope, Wawan Mas’udi, S.IP., M.P.A., Ph.D., then officially launched the Netizens are also Citizens class in FOCUS UGM.
This event was then continued with a seminar presented by three speakers with many experience in digital activism. Muhammad Raafi, as Coordinator of Yogyakarta’s Climate Change Rangers, described the potential of the digital world as a means to bring social change. “We view that there is a potential in the digital world for sharing knowledge and raising awareness,” explained him.
He also added that digital activism can be done by anyone, whether they have many followers or not. According to him, anyone can contribute and make a positive impact in the digital world. “The digital world can work as an equalizer, in a way that small organizations can make as much of a difference as big organizations do,” argued him.
Unfortunately, digital activism is not free from its challenges. Corry Yohana, as a part of the Damai Pangkal Damai movement, believes that there is a lot to learn when it comes to being a digital activist. They would have to learn about marketing techniques, social media algorithms, and many more. “In this playground, digital activists are betting all their chips with the algorithm, as the algorithm is important for digital activists to make a positive and genuine impact. Therefore, digital activism requires you to learn effective tactics in facing the algorithm,” explained her.
Dzaky Putra Wirahman, as Editor in Chief of What is Up Indonesia, is also sure that the digital world can be used in improving the quality of life of citizens all around the country. He argued that, through the right mask of digital activism that is compatible with the characteristics and needs of the audience, it can be the catalyst for social change. “Through the digital space, there are opportunities in infiltrating the bigger, more apathetic groups in society,” closed him.