UNS – An international webinar on Pandemic and Natural Balance: The New Stage of Javanese Live into the New Normal hold by the Center of Science and Technology (PUI) Javanologi Universitas Sebelas Maret. The agenda initiated by the Vice-Rector for Partnership and Planning Affairs UNS; Prof. Sajidan held on Saturday (4/7/2020). As many as 925 participants from various countries joined the event through Zoom Meeting and Universitas Sebelas Maret YouTube channel.
The event was opened by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho who conveyed his support and appreciation for the event. The event was moderated by the Secretary of PUI Javanologi, Prof. Diah Kristina and invited five speakers; Sri Hartini, M.A, the secretary of Directorate General of Culture, Ministry of Education and Culture RI represents Dr. Hilmar Farid, Directorate General of Culture, Ministry of Education and Culture RI. The second speaker is Prof. Datuk Dr. Sukiman bin Sarmani, Javanese Diaspora in Malaysia. The third speaker is Hywel Coleman, from University of Leeds, United Kingdom; fourth, Ganjar Pranowo, S.H., M.I.P., the Governor of Central Java Province, and last speaker is Johan Raksowidjojo, Netherlands Javanese Diaspora.
The first session was Sri Hartini’s presentation on “Art, Pandemic, and Tradition”. Pandemic is identic to the natural sign considered by the old generation as a bad condition. In facing this condition, the community have the traditional solution to solve the problem, such as repelling reinforcements, creating pamunah or antidote, and performing pangruwat (Javanese cleansing ceremony). The Javanese Diaspora in Malaysia, Prof. Datuk Dr. Sukiman bin Sarman described the living condition of Javanese descent in Malaysia during the pandemic. Prof. Datuk Dr. Sukiman bin Sarman stated that Javanese descent in Malaysia maintains their ancestral culture in facing the current situation, such as implementing three philosophies, obedient, friendly, and cooperation (gotong royong).
The third speaker, Hywel Coleman, from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom described the efforts to deliver effective messages to the community. According to a survey conducted by Hywel Coleman in his neighborhood, there many people who have not to understand the terms that appeared in this pandemic. This matter demands attention since this indicated that not all information is well delivered to the community.
Ganjar Pranowo, the Governor of Central Java Province shared the information from Central Java Province. Jogo Tonggo is one of the excellent programs as a solution to facing the current condition, especially public relation. Jogo Tonggo program has been applied for a few months through a communicative approach. Closing the session, Johan Raksowidjojo opened his material in Javanese. Born in Suriname and live in the Netherlands made the Javanese descendant familiar with various languages including, Javanese, Indonesian, English and Dutch. The noble values of Javanese culture are still attached in his daily life. Johan Raksowidjojolaos explained several regulations that apply in the Netherlands during the pandemic. He also closed his speech in Javanese
At the end of the event, the Chief of PUI Javanologi UNS, Prof. Sahid Teguh Widodo delivered the conclusion of the webinar, that cultural values have great benefits in this situation. It is recommended that the community continue to explore the cultural values as basic values that can be used in government policy to overcome the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Humas UNS
