Tsinghua SEA Collaborates with Faculty of Humanities Udayana University to Hold Conference on 'Tri Hita Karana and Sustainability'

Denpasar – The Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center (Tsinghua SEA), in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities of Udayana University, held the 2025 Conference on Indigenous Wisdom in the Contemporary World (CIWCW) at the Awan Auditorium, UID Bali Campus, Kura-Kura SEZ, Serangan, on Thursday, 4 September 2025.

The theme of this year’s conference is "Tri Hita Karana and Sustainability", featuring Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem, MA (Founder of Yayasan Widya Dharma Shanti Denpasar) as the keynote speaker.
The opening session included remarks from the Conference Chair, Mr. Michael Tuori, the Rector of Udayana University, and Senator of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) for Bali, Dr. Shri I Gusti Ngurah Arya Wedakarna Mahendradatta Wedasteraputra Suyasa III, S.E., M.Tru., M.Si.

This year marks the inaugural edition of the CIWCW, which is envisioned as an annual gathering dedicated to exploring the richness, depth, and contemporary relevance of diverse indigenous knowledge systems from across the globe. The conference aspires to be a dynamic platform for scholars, practitioners, community leaders, and changemakers to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange insights, and reflect on how traditional wisdom can offer valuable perspectives and solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges.

Aligned with its theme, the conference focuses on the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual realm. By placing Tri Hita Karana at the center of the discourse, the event seeks to explore its various interpretations and practical applications in areas such as climate action, community development, policy-making, education, and ethical leadership.

The event also serves as a launchpad for a broader and ongoing global conversation on how indigenous wisdom traditions from around the world can contribute to a sustainable, inclusive, and spiritually grounded future.

In his speech, Rector of Udayana University, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, S.T., Ph.D., stated that this conference is a significant milestone, not only because it is the first of its kind, but also as the beginning of a much-needed long-term global dialogue. The 2025 theme, “Tri Hita Karana and Sustainability,” elevates the enduring wisdom of Balinese philosophy, which emphasizes balance between people (pawongan), nature (palemahan), and the spiritual world (parahyangan). These values, he noted, strongly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and represent a holistic approach to addressing modern challenges.

“We believe that indigenous wisdom is not a relic of the past, but a guidepost for the future,” said the Rector.

At Udayana University, Tri Hita Karana is not merely a cultural value, but a core scientific paradigm that underpins all academic and community engagement. The university is committed to integrating these principles into all aspects of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education: education, research, and community service.

As part of the conference, the organizing committee is also partnering with Jurnal Kajian Bali, a Scopus Q1-indexed journal published by Udayana University, to publish selected papers presented at the conference—provided they meet the requirements and pass the peer-review process in accordance with the journal’s standards.

Through this event, the organizers hope to foster greater understanding and collaboration in integrating indigenous knowledge into contemporary sustainability practices, ensuring that development efforts are not only effective, but also culturally rich and spiritually meaningful.