Malang, January 3, 2024 – To kick off the year 2024, the Student Association of the Government Studies Program (HIMAP) at UMM once again organized a discussion event through its Debate’s Community forum. This regular weekly discussion aims to nurture students' critical thinking. The event was attended by students from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts of the Government Studies Program.
The discussion was initiated by a group of presenters from the 2022 cohort, consisting of eight members. The topic for this session was titled “Commodities and Local Wisdom: The Future of Traditional Arts in the Midst of Globalization.” The topic was chosen to explore how traditional arts are crucial in preserving local culture and maintaining the cultural identity of a community amid the strong currents of globalization.
This meeting, which examined the challenges of preserving traditional arts, took the form of a discussion and two-way communication between the presenters and the audience. During the forum, the presenters delivered their material and arguments, which were then discussed by the participants.
“In the era of globalization, many traditional arts face serious challenges in maintaining their continuity. The influx of foreign cultures can overshadow our local traditions, so the role of the government is crucial in regulating the entry of foreign cultures,” explained one of the presenters.
Through this discussion forum, the students formed an argument concluding that traditional arts play a significant role in preserving the cultural identity of a region. They reflect knowledge, skills, and values passed down from generation to generation. However, traditional arts often face challenges in the face of globalization. Therefore, efforts to educate and train the younger generation, as well as various stakeholders, in preserving culture are essential.
