SFI Indonesia 2023
SFI Indonesia 2023
December 2023
In December 2023, students from the Southeast Asia Friendship (SFI) course UTS2708/UTC2717: “Water Governance in Asia from a Systems Worldview”, embarked on a transformative field trip to Indonesia, where they delved into the complex dynamics of water management and policy. Their journey provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by Asian nations in managing water resources.
The course focused on exploring the transferability of water policy lessons from Singapore to other Asian contexts. This included immersive activities in both Indonesia and Singapore. The students engaged in transect walks, interactions with the local community and policymakers, and hands-on activities such as fieldwork to deepen their understanding of water governance.
The trip included visits to different areas along Kali Code and Kali Ciliwung, providing insights into environmental sustainability efforts to educate local communities, unique governance systems, water infrastructures, and the delicate balance between local needs and global challenges.
SFI exemplifies the significance of experiential learning in bridging theory with practice and fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues such as water governance. "Forget online research papers; we were on the ground, chatting with community leaders, professionals, policymakers, and residents who spilled the real, firsthand details,” students Yutong, Yuchen, and Edison wrote in their reflection blog about the course. “This hands-on approach not only enhances our understanding but also fosters a profound connection between theory and practice, solidifying the significance of experiential learning in our educational journey.”
Gain more insights on the experiences of our student participants through their video and blog posts below!
Hear from our students!
"By the end of the trip, it was clear to us that water pollution was a prominent issue in
both Jogja and Jakarta, and it was a highly complex issue. In spite of this, the
environmental budget makes up only 5% of the municipal government’s budget in
Jakarta and this is unfortunately because there is a general lack of priority regarding
waste management amongst policymakers. The waste problem is actually further
complicated by issues like housing shortage and informal settlement, exacerbated by
the rapid urbanisation, especially so in Jakarta."
by Yue Tong, Charlene, Yun Han
"Embarking on fieldwork is a world apart from the confines of textbook learning. Picture this: our field trip had us navigating through the community, soaking in insights through observation, questions, and attentive listening. Forget online research papers; we were on the ground, chatting with community leaders, professionals, policymakers, and residents who spilled the real, firsthand details. Sorting through the gathered information, our task is to transcribe and clean the data, sift out the gems, connecting them like puzzle pieces to unveil a comprehensive picture of the local water management system."
by Yutong, Yuchen, Edison
"Even through the short 12 days overseas, we created numerous precious memories, forged new friendships and deepened our understanding of water governance in Indonesia. Our trip to Indonesia was truly an unforgettable experience. From the hiking in beautiful landscapes to the exhilarating jeep rides, we throughly enjoyed our journey even as it was admittedly tiring. The warm hospitality of the Indonesian people, coupled with the breathtaking landscapes, made our adventure all the more memorable."
by Ryan, Xavier, Roel
"We spent our days deeply engaged, interacting with locals, policymakers, and experts intimately familiar with the complexities of water governance. Our discussions were not just academic. They were rooted in the stories and dreams of those directly impacted by these policies. The knowledge we acquired was truly invaluable. A massive shout-out goes to our incredible hosts, the inspiring professors, and the dedicated facilitators who made this eye-opening journey possible. We can't thank Navarun Varma, Ph.D., and the amazing minds at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) enough for guiding us every step of the way."
by Alex, Alson, Lawrence
"Our trip proved to be a multifaceted odyssey, weaving together academic exploration and cultural immersion. The transect walks along Kali Code and Kali Ciliwung unveiled a series of problems faced by the residents living along the river, underscoring the interconnectedness of human communities with their water ecosystem. As we continue to delve deeper into the study of water governance - mainly in the context of Kali Ciliwung, our group aims to identify the main issue lying behind these challenges faced by various communities in Indonesia. By using our knowledge, we hope to suggest some possible solutions that can be considered by policymakers to help improve the situation of the river."
by Chloe, Wang Zimo, Xiong Lu
“Gotong royong", which refers to the spirit of cooperation among members of the community to achieve a common goal, is more pervasive in
Indonesia. This necessitated discussions between policymakers and local communities to attain a win-win outcome where they changed parts of Mount Merapi into a national park to allow conservation, but at the same time, they didn't fully deny residents' rights to stay and obtain resources like grass for their livelihoods."
by Cindy, Diana, Jia Xin
