2025 – Citizenship Workshop Kulon Progo
Van Deventer-Maas Indonesia held Citizenship Workshop Kulon Progo on September 20-24, 2025, at Omah Watu Blencong, Jatimulyo, Kulon Progo, D.I. Yogyakarta. 20 participants from various regions in Indonesia attended the workshop with the aim of motivating and understanding how citizens can play an active role in creating sustainability. The five-day event featured facilitators specializing in leadership and Indonesia, essay writing and field research methodology, personal and professional development, local exposure, and mindfulness. Every day before and after the session, participants will take part in a mindfulness session with Marsen Sinaga to manage their focus and awareness during this activity.
The first day opened with a session by Dr. Jenny Ratna Suminar, who discussed the importance of the younger generation as the key to Indonesia’s future while highlighting various challenges such as unemployment rates, dependence on imports, and cultural stereotypes that hinder education. In-depth discussions encouraged participants to understand the difference between formal assets (such as diplomas) and actual capabilities, as well as how to develop these capabilities in the workplace. Participants actively shared critical views on the role of intellectuals in social change, the importance of building small good habits as a first step, and the mental and cultural challenges facing the younger generation today.
The second session with Dr. Zaki Habibi taught in-depth observation techniques and polite and effective interviewing skills for collecting primary data. Participants were given the task of identifying social issues based on mind mapping that connects background, language, and objects of observation in order to construct critical and systematic writing. Issues raised by the participant groups included youth problems, waste management, social norms, and the normalization of patriarchal culture as the root of gender inequality. The focus was on compiling data-based writing accompanied by ethical citation of sources.
On the third day, Anggoro Mukti guided participants in recognizing their personalities and potential through assessments of internal-external tendencies, soft-hard tendencies, and doer-thinker tendencies. This session explored the concept of mental resilience and how to utilize one’s strengths to become active citizens. Participants were divided into four groups and faced challenges by completing several tasks. Henri Muharditanto then presented a profile of effective leadership, emphasizing integrity, communication, courage in decision-making, and empathy. He outlined the differences between good leaders and leaders who prioritize superficial hospitality, as well as the importance of maintaining team morale and dealing with members who undermine cooperation.
On the fourth day, participants conducted field visits to Gapoktan (agroforestry), Jatimulyo Tourism Village, woven crafts, and Etawa goat farms to observe local potential and challenges. Participants were expected to gain detailed insights into what could be developed in their respective regions through this field visit. This was followed by a session with Marsen Sinaga, who emphasized the importance of mindfulness as full awareness of the role of humans in the ecosystem, encouraging environmentally responsible behavior such as recycling and reducing energy consumption. At the end of the session, participants were instructed to compile reports using writing techniques rich in data and contextual narratives.
On the last day, each group presented their detailed observations, ranging from agroforestry systems that integrate seasonal and annual crops with sustainability principles, the economic potential of tourism villages that rely on natural and cultural resources, to innovations in handicrafts made from organic waste and local livestock management. The facilitators provided feedback on the focus of the material, presentation techniques, and practical implications. At the end of the session, participants showcased the culture of their respective regions through songs, dances, and poetry. The participants’ performances symbolized the diversity of Indonesian culture, which is unique in the forms of dance and singing as well as the costumes used, representing local wisdom from each region and upholding the spirit of unity. See you at the next event.
