UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI), organized the Campus Parliament 2026 program. Carrying the theme “Environmentally Conscious Generation: Critical Thinking, Regulatory Awareness, and Real Action in Waste Management,” the event was held over two days, on May 5–6, 2026, at the Auditorium G.P.H. Haryo Mataram UNS.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) and Member of Commission XII DPR RI, Dr. Eddy Soeparno, S.H., M.H.; Deputy Chair of Commission II DPR RI, Aria Bima; Secretary General of DPR RI, Dr. Ir. Indra Iskandar, M.Si., M.I.Kom.; Head of the Bureau of Protocol and Public Relations of DPR RI, Rudi Rochmansyah, S.H., M.H.; and the Mayor of Surakarta, Respati Achmad Ardianto, S.H., M.Kn.
The President of the UNS Student Executive Board (BEM), Muhammad Kailani Rizqi Pratama, explained that Campus Parliament 2026 is a collaborative program between the DPR RI Secretariat General and UNS. The program includes a national seminar, training sessions, and a parliamentary simulation designed to provide practical insights into the legislative process.
A total of 100 participants were selected from various universities across the Solo Raya region, including representatives from faculties and student organizations at UNS. Participants were divided into factions as part of the parliamentary simulation, taking on roles such as session leaders, ministries, and commissions to replicate real legislative processes.
Through this program, participants are expected to enhance their understanding of parliamentary systems, broaden their knowledge of public policy, and develop greater awareness of environmental issues, particularly waste management. The initiative aims to cultivate a generation that not only understands regulations but is also capable of delivering real solutions to societal challenges.
Head of the Bureau of Protocol and Public Relations of DPR RI, Rudi Rochmansyah, expressed his appreciation to UNS for its support and collaboration. He emphasized that Campus Parliament serves as a miniature of DPR RI proceedings, allowing students to engage in discussions, debates, and policy formulation.
“This program is not merely ceremonial, but an educational platform for parliamentary awareness, regulatory socialization, and a channel for students’ aspirations to become more critical and actively involved in public policy implementation,” he stated. The event also featured various public services, including DPR RI’s digital library, legislative archive exhibitions, a virtual museum, and public information services.
Meanwhile, UNS Rector, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., highlighted that Campus Parliament is an important platform to bridge academia and legislative institutions through democratic education, public policy literacy, and national insight strengthening.
Amid increasingly complex national challenges, ranging from environmental issues and social transformation to economic resilience and governance, students are expected to take on active roles as critical intellectual agents who understand legislative processes and contribute meaningfully to national development.
UNS reaffirmed its commitment to addressing environmental challenges, particularly waste management, through strengthening its Green Campus initiatives, collaborating with local governments, developing waste processing innovations, and promoting multidisciplinary research.
“This collaboration with DPR RI is a concrete step in strengthening a higher education ecosystem that is academically good while remaining relevant to national needs,” said Prof. Hartono.
As keynote speaker, Deputy Chair of Commission II DPR RI, Aria Bima, emphasized that Indonesia is currently facing major challenges, including a waste crisis that has reached tens of millions of tons annually, significantly impacting the environment and society.
“We already have regulations, such as Law Number 18 of 2008 on Waste Management. However, the main challenge lies not in drafting regulations, but in their implementation and supervision. This is where students play a crucial role as critical agents of change who understand regulations and can drive real action,” he explained.
Through Campus Parliament, students are encouraged to understand that public policies are not created instantly but are the result of dynamic discussions, negotiations, and competing interests. Therefore, student voices grounded in data and strong arguments are essential in overseeing public policy.
Following the keynote session, the event continued with presentations from several speakers, including Dr. Eddy Soeparno, Mayor of Surakarta Respati Achmad Ardianto, and the Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) UNS, Prof. Dr. I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi Handayani, S.H., M.M.
HUMAS UNS
