• Authors: Irene Ludji
  
• From: Faculty of Theology, Satya Wacana Christian University

Abstract:

Thomas Merton was an excellent writer who lived as a trappist monk in the Abbey of Gethsemani located in New Haven- Kentucky. Merton wrote many books, articles, and letters about spirituality and social justice. Though he lived in the Abbey, his concern about the social life in community is powerful. In facing the Vietnam War, Merton proposed the nonviolent way as the practice Christians should use to withstand violence. This paper will explore Merton?s concept of the nonviolent way as one of the important criterias of responsible leadership in a religious community (read: Christian community) and contrast it to the modern context of the war on terror by the United States (US) and its effect on other nations (Indonesia in particular). My thesis is that Merton’s idea of the nonviolent way can be applied by Christians in standing against violence by religious extremists in Indonesia. Merton provided a great example of responsible leadership that religious community in Indonesia can learn in order to create a peaceful life together. read more

• Authors: Sudarmadji
  
• From: Faculty of Geography, Gadjah Mada University

Abstract:

Volcanic lakes in the Dieng Plateau offer some unique phenomena which are interested for tourists to visit and scientists to study. They also have some specific ecosystem which differs to other lakes. However as land use changes in the surrounding area the lakes is now facing to environmental degradation. The land use in the surrounding area is for intensive agricultural which main crops are vegetable, especially potato (Solanum tuberosum L) This research aims to study the impacts of the agricultural practices to the environmental degradation of lakes which could be give farther impact to the sustainability of the lakes. One among lakes in Dieng Plateau was selected in this research, it was Merdada Lake . The field survey was conducted to collect some data on lakes characteristics (morphometry of lake, water quality, sediments) and agricultural activities. Some interviews to local people were also conducted. Some secondary data from previous study was also collected. Data analysis was conducted based on qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study found that agricultural practices of potato plantation uses water from lake to irrigate the plant by pumping out the water using water pump and distribute the water over the plantation area. The volume of water pumped out of the lake was so high that gradually decrease the water level of the lake, especially during dry season. Agricultural practices lead to soil erosion, which contribute sediment to the lake brought by surface runoff. The use of fertilizer in the agricultural practice contribute nutrient into the lake brought by surface runoff, leading to the eutrophication of the lake, due to the excess used of fertilizer. The study concludes that agricultural practices have some adverse affects on volcanic lakes. Quantitatively the volume of lakes is gradually decreasing due to rapid sedimentation; water level of the lake has been lowering due to high rate of pumping. Water quality of lakes is getting worse, leading to eutrophication. In the long terms the sustainability of the lake is threatene. read more

• Authors: R.Ruard Ganzevoort
• From: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Abstract:

The challenges of our world require fundamental reflection on human knowledge, power, and politics. Climate change, overpopulation, pollution, geopolitical insecurity, international terrorism, they all relate to our common endeavor to rule and control the world rather than take responsibility for our place in it. All these problems follow from an anthropocentric and ethnocentric perspectives as opposed to more holistic worldviews. Our era has even been called the ?anthropocene? as it is the first geological era where the earth itself is profoundly affected by human presence and activity. If we want to change this, we must reconsider our views of knowledge, power, and politics. In the development of science, knowledge and power were intrinsically related. The positivist model of science took knowledge as the insight into how things work in order to be able to influence that. This has improved human life and reduced many risks and problems. It has also created new problems (risk society). Politics served to balance the interests (and enhance the interests of the own group). What we need to add is wisdom how to use our knowledge and power. In envisioning a better world that brings peace, justice, and sustainability for all, we need a type of politics that is based on ideals and visions, not just power and interests. Here religion and politics become parallel world of thought as both envision a better world. We can learn from religious thought (Christian and Islamic) the golden virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, courage, and apply these to our academic and political work. read more

• Authors: Dini Atikawati
  
• From: Environmental Science, Graduate School, UGM, Trial Study Participant of Tony Agus Ardie Memorial Scholarship PT IBD
  

Abstract:

One of the coasts in Srandakan that experiences abrasion is Kuwaru Coast. The Kuwaru Coast has a high economical value. The threat of abrasion in the high economical area will impact on socioeconomic of the society, such as loss of property, infrastructure, ecological damage, and societal problems. At the same time, the protection is expensive. Therefore, it is needed to handle the abrasion appropriately and environmentally friendly. This study aims to: (1) create a sustainable coastal to cope the abrasion and (2) formulate policies and integrated strategies for sustainable coastal ecologically, economically, and socially. This study is a field research study using observation and interview method for collecting data. The data analysis uses quantitative descriptive and qualitative descriptive analysis. To handle the abrasion in Kuwaru Coast is by planting vegetation (mangrove) and making a simple breakwater (from woven bamboo strips called Apo-apo). Apo-apo is made not to hold back the waves but to reduce the force of the waves and protect the mangroves until they grow. Whereas planting the vegetation is divided into three zones. The results show that abrasion in Kuwaru Coast caused coastline change. Coastline change in Kuwaru Coast is approximately 20 meters in 2006- 2013. The mangrove type that is suitable to be planted in Kuwaru Coast is Rhyzophora apiculata. The availability of water is the main factor of the success of mangrove planting. One of the local society ability in Kuwaru Coast in handling abrasion is planting pandanus around the little Casuarina spp to protect it from salt steam of sea water. Apo-apo, mangrove, and pandanus can be planted alongside Kuwaru Coast, so that it will looks like a mangrove and pandanus garden with bamboo fence because the unification of the three of them has a esthetical value that is definitely amendable to be a tourism. The planting method of Apo-apo and mangrove is an environmentally friendly way that can be done in reducing the abrasion in Kuwaru Coast. read more

• Authors: Eka Sulistiyowati
  
• From: Faculty of Science and Technology, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta
  

Abstract:

History tells us that the ability to manage water and conquer water sources determine how a civilization flourished and gained its power. Since a long time ago, freshwater has been exploited to create vast area of agricultural and industrial lands that bring economic growth. Yet today, human being and other species have to cope with serious water problems, such as decreased precipitation, depleted freshwater reservoir, increased pollution, and raised sea level. Unfortunately, our wisdom in treating water in so many ways has been changed. Previously, water was seen as a sacred element that belongs to God, today, people take it for granted; that water is just natural resource subject to exploitation. This brings an interesting question: do we ? people in Indonesia- still have remaining local knowledge and wisdom which help us to treat water ethically and morally as a precious resource? Along with that question, this paper answers how and why unethical and abusive actions to water occur, and what factors influencing it.These questions are addressed by looking at existing literatures on local values, norms, and traditional practices in water management in Indonesia, and examining theoretical perspectives on how the values changed. This research paper is developed by studying the cases of water management in Java and Bali, using prominent literature such as Beatty (1999) and Lansing (1987). read more

• Authors: Qusthan Firdaus
  
• From: Universitas Buddhi Dharma

Abstract:

Machiavelli’s The Prince is always disdained due to its suggestion to national leaders to commit some evils. This article aims to discussing the structure of Machiavelli’s arguments, and considering whether or not Joko Widodo (Jokowi) should comply with it. On the one hand, Machiavelli’s realistic account on leadership is arguably consistent with the consequentialist approach in ethics. Here, a leader should not only live in virtue of goodness and justice but also to incorporate vices insofar as there are some proper justifications for it. On the other hand, Jokowi’s reckless determination in governing might ignite some inevitable hatred from people. This paper argues Jokowi should conform with The Prince. The upshot is he should strive neither to be loved excessively nor being hatred by the people as some previous presidents did. read more

• Authors: Anastasia Anindita
• From: American Studies, Universitas Indonesia

Abstract:

Religion has been the important part in Americans daily life for more than centuries. So importance this religion, it has spread its wings to political life in America, despite the government itself have declared that American political life was secularized or free from the institution of religions. As a result of these paradoxes, various allegations against human rights have been emerging in America for the last 30 years; one of those is concerning Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA and consequently violation against liberalism itself. It was the legalization of gay marriage by the US Supreme Court in 2015 that changes the face of America. It was influenced by religion, now it is flourishing with liberalism. In continuation of these transitions, this paper seeks for the reason on liberalism that could thrive in the God-Power politic in America, resulting in gay marriage legalization. Methods of collecting data are literature, documents, and articles from the media related to the transition of values in American democracy and politic, God-Power to liberalism and the decision in which leading US to legalize gay marriage. These data are analysed using the theory of liberalism in gay marriage by Fedlum (1996), religion versus secularism in politic stated by Wald (2003), and justice and equality in lesbian and gay marriage stated by Mohr (2005), to see the transition of values behind the decision to legalize gay marriage. From this research, it was found that gay marriage was legalized as the form of equal dignity in the eyes of the law. read more

• Authors: Balawyn Jones
  
• From: University of Queensland
  

Abstract:

This paper examines the effectiveness of risk communication on the uptake of tsunami preparedness measures, in particular vertical pedestrian evacuation, in Aceh, Indonesia. This paper aims to identify and understand the barriers to risk communication by conducting a survey of disaster risk reduction (?DRR?) providers in Aceh and applying risk communication best practice criteria to guide the analysis of results. The survey results found that DRR practice sometimes departs from theoretical best practice. Namely, best practice promotes engagement with religious principles and institutions to increase community preparedness. However, in practice, DRR providers generally do not consider religious context as a relevant factor in designing risk communication strategies. Further, the local culture of gotong royong was highlighted as a key influence on programs by DRR providers, but is relatively unmapped in the literature. One inference that can be drawn is that a failure to engage with the predominant religious and cultural beliefs and structures potentially results in a perceived lack of credibility of DRR messages. The effectiveness of risk communication at increasing community understanding of and trust in vertical pedestrian evacuation procedures may be improved by integrating religious perspectives and institutions into DRR programs. For example through the transformation of secular tsunami evacuation buildings into places of worship, so that evacuation buildings will be better utilised in the event of a tsunami. This study contributes knowledge on the role of religion and culture in risk communication, in order to increase community disaster preparedness and social resilience. read more

• Authors: Nuruddin Al Akbar
  
• From: Politics and Government Studies, Gadjah Mada University
  

Abstract:

This study seeks to offer a non conventional readings in judging Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)+. In conventional readings, REDD+ is deemed as a strategy for global environmental protection from the global warming threats. REDD+ is officially ratified as an accurate strategy to save the environment by the international community at the UN climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico. contrary to widespread support on REDD+, this study views REDD+ as a illusion, in which REDD+ does not provide a real solution for global environmental protection. As with an illusion, REDD+ is designed to strengthen the global capitalist system which stands on industrialization. The existence of industrialization is challenged because it is considered as the culprit of global environmental damage, including global warming. By the existence of REDD+, it is expected that global community will be satisfied with the solution so as to minimize suits which is fundamental for the sake of sustainable industrialization. There are two important discussions tried to be elaborated by this study. Firstly, elaborating REDD+ as a false solution to the climate change. The discussion in this section emphasizes on the critical study on conceptual building REDD+. Secondly, critical study on collaborative governance strategy, which is conventionally understood as a mean to apply REDD+ significantly. This study belongs to a qualitative research. Data collection technique uesd id study of documentation. Among the results showed that: 1) REDD + is an illusion because it serves only give birth to trash carbon scheme. Third world countries serves as a provider of junk land, as well as active consumers of carbon produced by industrialized countries and global corporations. On the other hand, the release of carbon committed industrialized countries and corporations continue to run as usual. So intrinsically REDD + is an illusion because it will never reach the global emissions reduction targets. 2.) Collaborative governance is an essential component required by REDD + to sustain its existence. read more

• Authors: Mirza Fathima Jauhar Kamalia
  
• From: Magister Kajian Sastra dan Budaya, Universitas Airlangga
  

Abstract:

National Examination is education government policy to determine the standard of the quality of education in Indonesia that always gets the attention from the people as if they are all also involved in it. National Examination can be seen as the way to standardize the students? intellectual competence. National Examination releases the science?s alignment and claims itself as the measuring standard by choosing some subjects; for example Mathematic, Natural Science, and Bahasa; even though the student?s interest and competence are various and differs from one another. As the consequence, the students who do not pass these subjects are recognized as the fool students. This study aims to find the way the disciplinary works towards the people as the power internalization. This study will use the theory of archeology and genealogy by Michel Foucault to answer the problem above. This study uses qualitative method that supported with the data of some electronic news that discuss about the phenomena as the effect of National Examination discourse. The result of this study shows that the disciplinary works through the regulations from the government and the reproduction of some discourses about National Examination that can be seen by the people through the media. All of them are internalized by the people and aim to shape them to discipline towards Positivism Logic. In other words, the regulations and the discourse of National Examination aim to maintain and perpetuate Positivism Logic. read more