Diversity is one of the social assets that can be a significant source of innovation and collaboration, especially for the younger generation. In the context of globalization and digitalization today, an open attitude towards differences in ethnicity, culture, religion, and social background is becoming increasingly crucial in creating an inclusive and competitive society. One step that can improve cross-cultural understanding and strengthen social networks among the younger generation is the Cross-Campus and Youth Community Diversity Internship Program. This program is designed to bring together students and young people from various backgrounds to work together in professional and social environments, with the hope of forming individuals who are more open, tolerant, and ready to face the challenges of an increasingly diverse and inclusive world of work.
Youth Across Diversity is the title carried by the cross-diversity internship program. The program initiated by the Indonesian Justice and Peace Foundation is here to open up a meeting space for young people across faiths, gender identities, and also across campuses and communities. YKPI collaborates with 3 universities in Yogyakarta in its implementation, namely UIN SUKA Postgraduate, UKDW and also UNU YK. Collaborative design promotes meaningful participation of young people in dialogue on human rights, freedom of religion and belief and Gedsi with intersections on other issues such as SOGIESC, GBV and Ecology.
This program, which involves many young people, builds creative partnerships with young groups, and encourages them to contribute to the emergence of feminist youth leadership, committed to building justice and a peaceful world order, respect for human rights and diversity in their own environment. Young people as agents of change have a big role in creating tolerance that is just for all parties.
The activity, which was attended by around 50 young people from the regions of Aceh, Jakarta, DIY, East Java, NTB and NTT, took place during February – April 2025. The activity, which was divided into two phases, was held in a hybrid manner. For one and a half months, young people will gain knowledge through a dialogue space built in an in-class session of 9 meetings and 6 in-depth material. The speakers were not only from the campus but also from CSOs, with the hope that young people participating in the internship would be able to improve their knowledge and skills in advancing and promoting diversity – social inclusion, KBB, HAM, Gender, justice and peace.
Diversity as the Key to Collaboration and Innovation
Diversity in education and community is not just about differences, but more about how those differences can be managed to produce positive synergy. In the academic and professional world, diversity can increase creativity, more effective problem solving, and build empathy between individuals.
Dr. Nina Mariana Noor MA, Postgraduate Lecturer at UIN SUKA YK who had the opportunity to be a resource person on the theme of the Problem of Freedom of Religion and Belief with the issue of minority Faith said that “this internship program provides a forum for students to meet and interact with other students of different religions and cultures so that they experience directly and learn to understand these differences. for UIN students it may be quite common because on our campus there are also many non-Muslim students, but the in-class material is very useful for them to open their insights on the issues of KBB and Gender. ” A similar thing was also conveyed by Rev. Nani Minarni, M.Hum, Pastor of UKDW University Yogyakarta, “really appreciates YKPI for providing a meeting space for young people from different backgrounds, they can learn from each other, interact and foster tolerance, this activity is very good for building collaboration among young people in voicing peace”
In addition to presenting speakers from Academics, the internship class is also filled by practitioners or activists from CSOs carrying out humanitarian work in communities and grassroots. Rahmil Izzati, Chair of the Executive Board of Solidarity of Women Bungong Jeumpa Aceh also shared knowledge about community organizing and empowerment practices with the hope that participants will understand and be able to practice when learning outclass later. He said “very happy to be given the opportunity to share knowledge and experience in a discussion room with fellow interns from across diversity, so that they can complement each other.”
In the implementation of this cross-campus and youth community internship program, there are several aspects of diversity which include:
- Diversity of Knowledge and Experience – Students from various universities and departments as well as young people from various communities can work together in one program, allowing them to exchange different ideas and insights. As well as expanding networks, developing collaboration and communication skills. Communicating and working in diverse teams requires participants to learn to convey ideas clearly and understand other people’s perspectives well.
- Social and Cultural Diversity – This program can be a place for participants from various social backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, gender identities and so on to understand each other and collaborate in achieving common goals. In addition, it will increase understanding of inclusivity and tolerance when interacting with each other, understanding broader perspectives, reducing prejudice, and increasing tolerance in everyday life.
- Diversity of Expertise and Perspective – Involving individuals with different expertise, selected speakers with capacity and expertise in their fields, both from Academics and practitioners. So that it can open the participants’ horizons of thinking and be able to spark critical thinking from participants in producing innovative solutions in responding to social issues that occur.
The Cross-Campus and Youth Community Diversity Internship Program is an initiative that has great potential in developing professional skills, raising awareness of the importance of inclusivity, and strengthening social networks among people from different backgrounds. Through this program, participants are given the opportunity to learn to collaborate in a diverse environment, understand different perspectives, and hone skills that will support their success in the world of work. With the support of universities, CSOs and the Community, this program has the potential to become an example for the development of more inclusive and competitive human resources in the future.