The Djojodigoeno Center for Customary Law Studies at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University (FH UGM), in collaboration with the HuMa Association, successfully held a symposium titled “The Role of the State in the Production and Reproduction of Conflict and Its Impact on Indigenous Communities” on Tuesday–Wednesday, November 25–26, 2025, in Room 3.1.1 at FH UGM. This event was part of a series of activities to launch the findings of HuMa’s 2024–2025 Participatory Action Research and to update conflict data through the HUMAWIN platform, which has been mapping various cases of agrarian conflicts, the relinquishment of customary territories, and changes in natural resource governance. The symposium brings together academics, researchers, indigenous community activists, and civil society organizations to analyze the dynamics of state policies and their impact on indigenous communities across various regions of Indonesia.
The first day of the event opened with Session 1, featuring Rais, Sartika Intaning Pradhani, and Almonika Cindy Fatika Sari in “Launch of HuMa’s 2024–2025 Participatory Action Research Findings & Outlook on HUMAWIN Conflicts.” This presentation highlighted how agrarian and natural resource conflicts are becoming increasingly complex due to overlapping permits, the expansion of extractive industries, and the lack of recognition of indigenous territories. Session 2 continued by raising the critical question “Conservation, Renewable Energy, or Green Grabbing?” with speakers Ufa Amirah, Masnadi B, Mailinda Eka Yuniza, Eko Cahyono, Andi Chairil Ichsan, and IGAM Wardana. This panel highlighted trends in “green” projects that often marginalize indigenous communities through carbon schemes, conservation areas, and renewable energy development. The first day concluded with Session 3, “National Strategic Projects: Regulation, Impacts, and Militaristic Approaches,” featuring Andi Rostanti, Richo Andi Wibowo, Rina Mardiana, and Made Supriatma. The speakers explained how National Strategic Projects (PSN) are often implemented through a security-based approach that increases the potential for violence, intimidation, and the erosion of indigenous communities’ living spaces.
On the second day, Session 4 delved deeper into the topic “Land Bank: Agrarian Reform or Corporate Consolidation?” featuring Kamils, Laksmi A. Savitri, and Maria SW Sumardjono. The discussion explored how the Land Bank could present an opportunity for agrarian reform, but also carries the risk of becoming an instrument of land consolidation that benefits corporations if not strictly monitored. This was followed by Session 5, “Tenure Security Following Recognition at the Local Level,” featuring Theresia Ateta, Armansyah Dore, and Erasmus Cahyadi. This panel highlighted the challenges faced by indigenous communities in securing legal certainty despite existing recognition through local regulations (Perda) or decrees (SK) issued by regents or governors, including the threat of criminalization and weak institutional protections.
This symposium provided a forum for academics, researchers, indigenous peoples’ organizations, and policymakers to come together to formulate the direction of community-based advocacy and legal reform. The two-day discussion not only strengthened the collaboration between HuMa and Puskaha Djojodigoeno but also served as a strategic platform to reaffirm the urgency of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in the context of national development.
From the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this event makes a tangible contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land, through discussions on the protection of indigenous territories, forests, and customary lands; SDG 13: Climate Action, through an analysis of the impacts of the energy transition and green projects on indigenous communities; SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, through the strengthening of conflict management, state accountability, and the protection of environmental defenders; and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, regarding the reduction of inequality, as reflected in the involvement of vulnerable communities and indigenous women as part of the research and discussion process. By prioritizing reflection, critique, and evidence-based recommendations, this symposium underscores the role of the UGM Faculty of Law and HuMa in promoting a more just, inclusive, and sustainable legal system for indigenous peoples in Indonesia.
