The Master in Laws Program of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with Thomas More Law School (TMLS), Australian Catholic University, successfully held an international guest lecture and webinar on Friday (21/3/2025). The theme on this Webinar is “The Role of NGO and Government Partnerships in Implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in Australia and Indonesia.” The event, held virtually via Zoom, attracted approximately 50 participants from both local and international backgrounds. It aimed to provide an academic platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities in strengthening CEDAW implementation through collaborative efforts between civil society organizations and governmental institutions.
The webinar featured three distinguished speakers who shared their expertise and experiences on the topic. Dr. Sri Wiyanti Eddyono, Director of the Center for Law, Gender, and Society (LGS) at the Faculty of Law UGM, presented critical insights into how Indonesia has approached the integration of CEDAW principles in national policies and legal frameworks. Dr. Perla Guarneros, a lecturer at Thomas More Law School, highlighted the Australian experience in fostering synergy between non-governmental organizations and state actors in promoting gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women. Meanwhile, Rena Herdiyani, a representative of the CEDAW Working Group Indonesia (CWGI), offered a practical perspective from the field, discussing advocacy efforts, legal reforms, and grassroots engagement in advancing women’s rights. The session was moderated by Dr. Dina Afrianty, a lecturer at Thomas More Law School and a renowned scholar in gender and human rights.
This event was attended by a diverse group of participants, including 30 students enrolled in the International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law course at UGM’s Master in Laws Program, students from Thomas More Law School, researchers and volunteers from the Center for Law, Gender, and Society, as well as postgraduate students from both the regular and international classes of UGM. The discussion fostered a rich exchange of ideas and comparative perspectives between Australia and Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of inclusive legal frameworks and multi-stakeholder partnerships in ensuring the effective implementation of CEDAW.
The guest lecture and webinar aimed to achieve several strategic outputs, including the identification of key research opportunities related to gender and international human rights law, engagement with stakeholders to enhance the impact of academic activities, promotion of the event through official platforms of both universities, and the development of a joint publication to capture the insights and recommendations shared during the webinar. These outcomes are intended to serve as the foundation for future collaborative projects between UGM and TMLS, including research initiatives, academic exchanges, and policy dialogues.
This collaborative academic initiative also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By promoting legal awareness, encouraging academic dialogue, and fostering international cooperation, the event demonstrates the strategic role of higher education institutions in supporting the realization of inclusive and sustainable development. The Master in Laws Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada remains committed to advancing gender justice through academic innovation and international collaboration, in line with its vision to contribute meaningfully to global peace, equality, and the protection of human rights.
Author: Master in Laws Program, Faculty of Law UGM
