Semarang - On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Indonesian Association of Social Sciences and Humanities Researchers and Teachers (APPISI) successfully held the 1st International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities Innovation (ICSSHI 2024) online through Zoom. The theme of the conference was “The Impact of Racism on Global Societies: Insights and Strategies for Change,” with the aim of exploring the impact of racism on global society and formulating strategies to overcome the problem.
The event began with remarks from M Zainul Hafizi, M.Pd, who conveyed the importance of cross-cultural discussions to understand and overcome the impact of racism in various aspects of life. He also emphasized that innovation in the social sciences and humanities plays a vital role in creating positive change.
The conference featured five speakers with topics that addressed the impact of racism from various perspectives:
Sherif Abdul Raheem AJITERU explains how corruption is a major barrier to building national cohesion and social development. He highlighted the link between systemic racism and corruption in various countries, where race-based discrimination exacerbates inequality and hinders development. In his presentation, Sherif proposed a community-based approach to address corruption and strengthen social inclusiveness.
Prof. Ruswiati discussed how racism and gender bias affect business opportunities, particularly in the MSME sector. She revealed that women from minority groups often face greater challenges in accessing capital, networks and markets. With case studies from various countries, Prof. Ruswiati suggested inclusive policies to support MSMEs and reduce the impact of discrimination in the business world.
Dr. Samet Doykun elaborated on the relationship between disability and artistic creation in literature. She explained that literature is often a medium to portray the lived experiences of people with disabilities while countering harmful stereotypes. In her presentation, Dr. Samet highlighted the role of art as an empowerment and advocacy tool, as well as the importance of creating a space for disabled voices in the art world.
Carol Linda Kingston discusses the widespread impact of racism on global society, including the education, health and economic sectors. She presented strategies to address racism, such as multicultural education, public policy reform, and strengthening social awareness. Carol also underlined the importance of intercultural dialogue as a first step towards sustainable change.
Meseret Worku Tarekegn raised a different but relevant topic to the theme of social justice, namely the military reforms carried out by Emperor Tewodros II in Ethiopia. He explained how these reforms laid the foundation for Ethiopia's modernization, including in building inclusivity and national unity. Meseret also draws a common thread between past reforms and contemporary efforts to counter racism and discrimination in Ethiopia..
Guided by moderator Dina Destari, S.S., M.Pd. and well managed by MC Shirley Wijaya, S.E., M.Ak., the conference was smooth and interactive. Participants from various countries engaged in productive discussion sessions, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the issue of racism in the global community.
ICSSHI 2024 provided deep insights and tangible strategies to drive inclusive and sustainable social change. The conference was the first step towards further collaboration in addressing humanitarian challenges in the modern era.
