On Wednesday (May 14, 2025), the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) held its second Interface Meeting with the ASEAN University Network–Human Rights Education (AUN-HRE) at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The meeting was chaired by AICHR Chair Edmund Bon Tai Soon and attended by representatives from ASEAN member states. The AUN-HRE delegation was led by Dr. Vachararutai Boontinand from the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University, with significant participation from Assoc. Prof. Khoo Ying Hooi (University of Malaya) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Herlambang Wiratraman dari Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)The presence of representatives from UGM, particularly the Faculty of Law (FH UGM), emphasized the contribution of Indonesian academics in promoting education and strengthening human rights at the regional level.
At this forum, the AICHR presented its 2023–2024 Annual Report, which documented more than 150 activities across 40 thematic areas of human rights over the past 15 years. The AUN-HRE also shared its experiences in advancing human rights education in the region, which then opened up discussions on new opportunities for collaboration, including increasing youth engagement, integrating human rights and peacebuilding into higher education, and developing the concept of a human rights-based university in ASEAN.
This meeting marks a strategic opportunity for the Faculty of Law, UGM, through Dr. Herlambang's direct involvement, to strengthen international academic networks and contribute to the ASEAN human rights agenda.
Furthermore, this collaboration aligns with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By strengthening human rights education, building university capacity, and engaging the younger generation, this initiative supports the realization of inclusive and equitable sustainable development in the ASEAN region.
