Climate change directly deepens inequality and exacerbates social vulnerability. In this context, the role of social workers becomes highly strategic. Social workers possess the capacity for community empowerment, advocating for the rights of vulnerable groups, facilitating access to social services, and building social resilience at the grassroots level.
To address these challenges, social workers need to broaden their insights and competencies in contemporary issues such as climate change and community-based adaptation. The Master of Social Welfare program organized a Public Lecture with the theme "Climate Change Adaptation and the Opportunities for Social Workers' Roles in Empowering Vulnerable Communities" held in the meeting room on the 2nd floor of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, on Friday (June 13).
The event was attended by active students from the Master of Social Welfare program, Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and several external stakeholders such as the Bantul Social Services Office (Dinsos Bantul), IPSPI, and Sardjito Hospital. The invited speaker was Wiwit Prasetyono Hidayat (Partnership Coordinator, Arbeiter Samariter Bund/ASB South and Southeast Asia).
Muh Ulil Absor, Head of the Master of Social Welfare Program, stated that this public lecture was organized to introduce and strengthen Master of Social Welfare students' understanding of the close link between climate change and community well-being. Through presentations from practitioners who have worked directly in community-based climate change adaptation programs, it is hoped that participants will see how principles of social inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable development can be integrated into social interventions.
"This activity also aims to build critical awareness that contemporary social workers not only work in domestic settings or formal social services but must also be actively involved in global issues like the climate crisis. Thus, this public lecture serves as an initial step to equip students to contribute meaningfully to creating a more resilient, just, and sustainable society," Ulil explained.
Meanwhile, Wiwit elaborated on the opportunities for social workers' roles and contributions in climate change adaptation efforts. According to him, academics are strategic partners for various innovations in community empowerment and climate change. Social workers are on the front lines, interacting directly with grassroots communities, local governments, and other stakeholders from the local to international levels.
Social workers possess competencies that support programs to be more inclusive by involving the most at-risk groups. "And friends, you are fortunate to be studying social welfare. I didn't study it; I didn't know where to learn child protection or where to learn about anything. In the end, I learned directly from the community, practicing by living with them," Wiwit shared.
Additionally, the speaker presented social projects that had been implemented in several regions in Indonesia and Asia, particularly regarding their empowerment patterns, as additional knowledge for the participants. The participants responded with a lively discussion regarding social work practices and future challenges. (Kh)