UNDIP, Semarang (26/6) – The Christian Fellowship of Diponegoro University (PUK UNDIP) organized an Interfaith Dialogue Forum themed “Togetherness in Building Harmonious Interaction and Productive Collaboration.” The event served as a platform for dialogue and engagement among religious leaders, academics, and community representatives to strengthen the spirit of unity amid diversity.
The forum was held as part of efforts to foster a shared understanding that differences in religion, culture, and social background should not be barriers to cooperation. Instead, diversity can become a source of strength in creating a peaceful, inclusive, and productive society.
Participants emphasized the importance of personal, social, and ecological transformation. Personal transformation is reflected in the development of open-minded, critical, and socially engaged individuals who are ready to interact with people from all backgrounds. Social transformation, meanwhile, is realized through spaces for encounter that cultivate mutual understanding, empathy, trust, and collaboration.
In his keynote remarks, the Rector of Universitas Diponegoro, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., highlighted the importance of personal and social transformation leading to positive ecological transformation, which forms the foundation of the Interfaith Dialogue theme. He also reaffirmed UNDIP’s commitment, as a leading university and a source of expertise across various disciplines, to becoming a pioneer in driving meaningful environmental improvements.
The dialogue also underscored the importance of environmental stewardship. Ecological transformation was viewed as a form of human responsibility to God the Creator. Cross-religious and cross-sector collaboration was recognized as essential for preserving the environment and promoting community well-being.
Several prominent interfaith figures served as speakers, including Bahruddin (Gus Din) from KBQT Salatiga, Dewa Artayasa from PHDI Semarang, Budiyanto, M.Pd., representing the Buddhist community of Semarang, and Ws. Andi Gunawan, S.T., M.Pd., representing the Confucian community of Semarang, Rev. Christiono Riyadi, S.I.P., S.Th., M.M. from the GKJ Synod, and Fr. Ibnu Fajar Muhammad, MSF from Semarang Indah Parish.
Two additional speakers from UNDIP were Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), and Sriyana, a PUK UNDIP functionary. The organizing committee was chaired by Robetmi Jumpakita Pinem, S.AB., MBA., Ph.D., with Nani Kitti Sihaloho, M.S. serving as secretary. Senior PUK members, including Prof. Ari Pradanawati, Prof. Sriyana, Didik Wisnu Wijayanto, and Dr. Agung Janika Sitasiwi, served on the Advisory Team and the Dialogue Outcome Formulation Team, chaired by Prof. Widiyanto.
Prof. Didik Wisnu Wijayanto stated that harmony cannot be achieved merely through slogans of tolerance; it requires genuine togetherness expressed through concrete actions. Encounters, dialogue, and collaborative efforts are essential foundations for building stronger bonds of fraternity. He also expressed hope that the outcomes of the dialogue would continue to be developed both within the university and in the broader community.
Inspired by the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), participants were encouraged to view diversity as a form of social capital and a source of strength in building a just, prosperous, peaceful, and noble nation.
Through this interfaith forum, PUK UNDIP reaffirmed that harmony must go beyond the rhetoric of tolerance and be translated into meaningful action. Encounters, dialogue, and collective work remain essential pillars for fostering stronger solidarity and mutual understanding.
PUK UNDIP hopes that the values and outcomes generated through this dialogue will continue to flourish within campus life and society at large. Upholding the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, participants were invited to embrace diversity as a valuable social asset in building a just, peaceful, and noble nation. (Public Communication / FISIP / Robert)