Yogyakarta, April 24th 2025 — A vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere marked the parallel sessions of the Unconference organized by the Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM). During these sessions, participants were divided into several classes based on their interests, with each class facilitating open and collaborative discussions between participants and facilitators.
Every attendee played an active role—not just as a listener, but also as a contributor—in shaping ideas and concepts. In each parallel session, participants were eager to share their experiences, viewpoints, and engage in critical dialogues on the issues discussed.
The discussions unfolded warmly and constructively, reflecting a collective spirit of learning and broadening perspectives. Facilitators acted as discussion catalysts, creating space for participants to guide the dialogue in ways that reflected their group’s interests and needs.
Thanks to the egalitarian and participatory environment, the parallel sessions succeeded in creating a shared learning space that fostered innovation, critical reflection, and collaborative networking across institutions and academic backgrounds.
This activity demonstrated that when participants are given the freedom to steer the conversation, the potential for knowledge exchange can flourish. The parallel sessions were not merely discussion forums—they were think tanks that inspired a transformative way of learning and sharing in the academic setting.
Written by: Arfikah Istari