In an effort to strengthen international collaboration for the development of remote villages in Indonesia, the Islamic World Development Network (IWDN), in partnership with the University of Toronto, organized a seminar titled “International Collaboration: Building the Future of Remote Villages in Indonesia.” The event was held virtually on Thursday, January 29, 2025, at 9:30 AM Jakarta time, bringing together key stakeholders, including academics and international development practitioners.
Discussing the Future of Remote Villages
The seminar began with opening remarks from Prof. JM. Muslimin, serving as Advisor, and Fakih Fadilah Muttaqin, as President of IWDN. Michael Cassidy, Director of International Cooperation at the University of Toronto, also shared insights on the role of the global academic community in supporting the development of remote areas.
The main discussion featured distinguished speakers, including:
- Abdillah El Habib, an Indonesian diplomat in Kuwait, who discussed the role of diplomacy in supporting rural development.
- M. Guruh Budi Hartono from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Turkey, who explored strategies for education and community empowerment in remote villages.
- Adam Jehan, an MBA student at Hiroshima University, Japan, who highlighted sustainable economic models for rural areas.
- *Zaidan Syamsul Alam, an MSc student at Loughborough University, UK, and *Rayhansyah Jasin, from Central European University, Austria, who shared insights on research-based innovations for rural development.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Future for Villages
The discussion concluded that the development of remote villages requires a holistic approach encompassing education, economy, technology, and diplomacy. International collaboration is essential in accelerating rural development by sharing resources, expertise, and experiences across different countries.
Speakers and participants agreed that rural development is not solely the responsibility of the government. Instead, it requires active contributions from academics, civil society, and the private sector to create long-term, sustainable solutions.
Concrete Steps to Be Taken
As a follow-up to this seminar, several concrete actions will be implemented, including:
- Establishing an International Collaboration Forum
IWDN will develop a communication platform connecting academics, diplomats, and professionals from various countries to share strategies for rural development. - Research and International Publications
Academics involved in the seminar committed to conducting collaborative research on effective and applicable rural development models in Indonesia. - Launching Community Development Programs
IWDN will initiate empowerment programs for rural communities, focusing on creative economy training, digital literacy, and human resource development. - Advocacy to Governments and International Institutions
The seminar’s findings will be compiled into policy recommendations to be presented to the Indonesian government and international organizations for further support in rural development initiatives.
This seminar aims to strengthen the synergy between academics, professionals, and the global community, ensuring that Indonesia’s remote villages become more advanced, self-sufficient, and globally competitive.