2025 Civil Liberties Symposium, ULM Strengthens the Role of Academics and Activists in Democracy

Banjarmasin – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) once again demonstrated its commitment as a center for academic discussion and societal issues by hosting the 2025 Civil Liberties Symposium. The symposium was held over two days, Monday (11/17/2025) to Tuesday (11/18/2025), at the ULM General Building in Banjarmasin.

This event is part of the Basis (Building an Enabling Environment and Strong Civil Society) Program supported by the European Union, in collaboration with YAPPIKA-ActionAid, PUSHAN ULM, and the Ministry of State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia in 2025. A total of 62 selected scientific essays from across Indonesia will be presented at the symposium.

The event was attended by the Rector of ULM, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Alim Bachri, S.E., M.Si., Chairman of the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights, Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Director of Yappika, Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman representative for South Kalimantan, Regional Office of Law, Regional Office of Human Rights, Regional Secretary of Banjarmasin City, Chairman of Sepaham Indonesia, academics, researchers, activists, journalists and human rights activists throughout Indonesia. The keynote speakers were Anis Hidayah (Chair of the National Commission on Human Rights) and Jagat Patnaik (Regional Head of the Indonesian Association of Indonesian Students Associations).

In his remarks, the Rector of ULM welcomed the BASIS Program’s initiative in selecting ULM as a strategic partner in organizing the symposium. He emphasized the importance of universities as independent and safe spaces for discussing and formulating ideas related to strengthening civil liberties.

“ULM, as an institution of higher education, has a moral and intellectual responsibility to contribute to strengthening civil society. We welcome constructive discussions like this,” said the Rector.

The 2025 Civil Liberties Symposium is a strategic agenda where academics are given a space to exchange ideas and innovations related to inclusive democracy for the benefit of the Indonesian nation and the world. This event is the first symposium in the BASIS 2025 Program series organized by YAPPIKA in collaboration with universities.

The Center for Human Rights Studies (PUSHAM) represents Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) as the organizer of this event in collaboration with YAPPIKA. The Rector of ULM hopes that activities like this can continue and be implemented in various regions throughout Indonesia.

“This is to truly serve as an educational resource, fostering a shared understanding of the role of civil liberties and the human rights issues facing the Indonesian nation and us today, including on campus, regarding how education is provided, especially for our children with special needs,” said the Rector.

This is because ULM is the second-largest university in Indonesia educating children with special needs and students with disabilities. Furthermore, students with disabilities and special needs also receive scholarships from Bayan Resource Indonesia. This demonstrates ULM’s commitment to optimizing educational services for children with disabilities and special needs.

The Head of the event’s organizing committee, Netty Herawati, S.IP., M.Si., stated that over the past decade, various studies have shown a declining trend in the quality of Indonesian democracy.

“Civil space is shrinking, through repression of freedom of expression, we are witnessing many vulnerable groups, including women, people with disabilities, indigenous communities, and youth, who are still “Facing structural discrimination, participating in the democratic process,” she said in her report.

She stated that this phenomenon also serves as a momentum for various levels of society to demonstrate their resilience, including women’s movements, indigenous communities, environmental advocates, student organizations, and various other community groups in various regions.

“Over the next two days, 63 participants from various backgrounds, including activists, academics, environmentalists, and activists, will attend the symposium, which serves as a space to celebrate resilience and present joint strategies for expanding an inclusive and democratic civil space,” Netty said enthusiastically.

Prof. Mirza Satria Buana, S.H., M.H., Ph.D., Chair of PUSHAM ULM, stated that the 2025 Civil Liberties Symposium aims to bring together academics, scientists, and activists concerned with civil liberties and human rights issues.

He hopes that this symposium will continue in the coming years and become an official PUSHAM ULM agenda.

“This activity can “This symposium, held at ULM, is expected to be a manifestation of active democracy and civil liberties for students, lecturers, and other academics, thereby creating a healthier and stronger democratic climate in South Kalimantan in general and Banjarmasin in particular,” said Prof. Mirza.

It is hoped that this symposium, held at ULM, will produce strategic recommendations and strengthening cooperation networks between stakeholders to encourage a more conducive environment for civil liberties in Indonesia.