DENPASAR — Udayana University (Unud), in collaboration with the Udayana Alumni Association (Ikayana) and the Unud Student Executive Board (BEM), organized a cultural forum titled *Lentera Wacana* (Beacon of Discourse). Held at the Green Open Space (RTH) of the Sudirman Campus on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the event was part of the series of celebrations marking Udayana University’s anniversary.
Attended by student representatives from 13 faculties and students from across Bali, the event featured an exhibition of paintings and caricatures alongside interactive discussions. Centered on the theme “Reflecting on Challenges Faced by Indigenous Communities from Cultural, Ecological, and Economic Perspectives,” the forum aimed to deepen the younger generation’s understanding of customary law protection, local wisdom, and environmental sustainability.
Udayana University Rector Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, S.T., Ph.D., emphasized the importance of shifting the paradigm regarding the relationship between higher education institutions and indigenous communities. He stated that indigenous communities should not be viewed merely as objects of academic study.
“Indigenous communities are an integral part of life; they must be understood holistically, their dignity respected, and their role recognized as active subjects in development. The relationship between universities and indigenous communities must evolve into a partnership of knowledge. Universities must create space for indigenous communities to speak for themselves and articulate the future they desire,” the Rector asserted.
He also highlighted the vital role of the younger generation, urging them not only to keep pace with technological and economic changes but also to remain firmly rooted in ancestral values.
Echoing this sentiment, the General Chairperson of the Central Ikayana—who also serves as a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) representing Bali Province—Dr. Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, S.SE., M.Si., emphasized that the protection of indigenous communities is clearly mandated in Article 18B of the 1945 Constitution. He encouraged students to become active cultural participants capable of preserving local wisdom.
“In Bali, customary territorial boundaries—such as those of the banjar and customary villages—are clearly defined and highly adaptable. However, significant challenges remain. The younger generation must ensure that our identity, rights, culture, and local wisdom secure a proper place in future development,” stated Rai Mantra.
Meanwhile, the President of the Udayana University Student Executive Board (BEM), I Gusti Agung Ngurah Oka Paramahamsa, highlighted the crucial role of students as agents of change and the nation’s future leaders. Students are expected to translate academic thought into concrete actions to address societal issues.
“This discussion is intended to provide substantive input for policymakers at the central level to further deliberate on legal certainty and the protection of indigenous rights,” explained I Gusti Agung Ngurah Oka Paramahamsa.
This forum serves as a preliminary event leading up to a national seminar featuring various speakers and national figures, including Abdon Nababan (Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient), Teras Narang (Initiator of the Indigenous Communities Bill at the Regional Representative Council/DPD RI), Bli Gede Robi (of the band Navicula), as well as academics and artists. Through this multi-stakeholder collaboration, Udayana University is committed to fostering an inclusive dialogue space to realize a better future for indigenous communities and Indonesia.