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Malang, December 30, 2024 – The Laboratory of Government Studies at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (Lab. IP UMM) successfully held a workshop titled Empowering Rural and Urban Communities. The event, conducted at the BAU Hall, aimed to train students to become competent community empowerment agents while discussing innovative strategies to develop local potential in various regions.
The workshop, which began at 9:00 AM WIB, was officially opened by Mr. Achmad Aprianto Romadhan, the Secretary of the Government Studies Program. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between students, academics, and the community in addressing empowerment challenges. "Our challenge is to enhance participation from all stakeholders and find relevant solutions for society. I hope this workshop provides new insights for students as agents of change," he remarked.
Moderated by Mr. Mohammad Jafar Loilatul, the workshop featured two expert speakers who shared in-depth insights. The first speaker, Mr. Abdus Salam, S.Sos., M.Si., highlighted the importance of rural community empowerment. He explained that empowerment involves building self-reliance, skills, and competitiveness, particularly for vulnerable groups. "Through a local needs-based approach, rural communities can enhance their well-being," he stated. Additionally, he discussed the effectiveness of government-distributed village funds in reducing urbanization and improving rural welfare.
Meanwhile, the second speaker, Mr. Fathul Yadi, S.Pd., M.M., focused on urban community empowerment. He elaborated on how cities possess unique local potentials that can be harnessed through local wisdom, local champions, and local heroes. "Challenges such as population migration, food security, and resistance to social change in urban areas must be addressed with collaborative and innovative approaches," he said. As an example, he explained how local-based educational tourism clusters could serve as a sustainable empowerment model in urban areas.
The workshop served as a platform for learning and hands-on training for students in understanding and applying community empowerment concepts. By presenting comprehensive perspectives from the speakers, the event was expected to equip students with the competencies needed to become agents of change. Lab. IP UMM remains committed to fostering a generation of community empowerment professionals who are ready to support sustainable development in Indonesia.
