SPs (25/4) For the umpteenth time, the Department of Religion and Cross-Cultural Studies (ALB) and the Department of Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) at the UGM Graduate School (SPs) held the Wednesday Forum on the 3rd floor of the SPs Building on April 24th, 2024.

The Wednesday Forum featured Dr. Realisa D. Masardi from the UGM Anthropology Department as the speaker, who presented her latest findings regarding the creative efforts of teenage migrants and asylum seekers from Afghanistan during their transit period in Indonesia.

Dr. Realisa emphasized that, instead of being passive victims, these teenage migrants actively used their social and cultural capital as a means of livelihood, both economically and psychologically, during their years of stay in Indonesia. Considering their identity as Shia Muslims in a predominantly Sunni country, religion played a significant role (both as social capital and a hindrance) in their efforts to survive during the transition period.

The Wednesday forum, titled "Religion in Transit: Young Refugees Navigating Religious Sphere in Indonesia," was attended by ALB and IRS students as well as students from outside UGM. This activity aims to enhance religious discourse for the ALB and IRS communities, academic society, and the general public, held at the Graduate School, and has been conducted since 2006, and broadcasted through the CRCS UGM Youtube channel.

Dr. Samsul Maarif, the Chair of the Department of Religion and Cross-Cultural Studies, stated that this forum is an effort to familiarize students with global academic discussions, as well as to introduce the position and characteristics of our scholarship in Indonesia to global academics, and therefore needs to be continually held by bringing in competent speakers, both from Indonesia and abroad.

The Wednesday Forum will feature various speakers ranging from graduate students, activists, to leading scholars in the field of religious and cross-cultural studies. This activity is also an implementation of SDGs Number 4 on Quality Education.

Keywords: CRCS Department, IRS Department, Global Scholarship, SDG 4: Quality Education

Author: Arfikah Istari

Editor: Arni Wistriatun

Photo: YouTube