Currently, the implementation of circular economy has gained more attention in Indonesia.  In fact, Indonesia has incorporated the circular economy concept into the vision and development strategy of the five priority sectors in Indonesia's 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJM). The implementation of circular economy aims to balance economic benefits with environmental sustainability. 

In advancing the circular economy, Indonesia Circular Economy Consortium (KESI), affiliated with the UGM Center for World Trade Studies (CWTS) aims to boost circular economy-based SMEs, communities, and institutions based on local wisdom and knowledge. Currently, KESI has more than 20 members in Yogyakarta, Bali, and other regions in Indonesia, such as Rumijo Eco Indonesia, Sekolah Sampah Renggas Trengginas, and Sekolah Anak Sanggar Alam (SALAM). In  December 2022, KESI was also actively involved in organizing the Circular Economy Expo, which was attended by more than 50 participants from industry, community, and education sectors.

After developing and strengthening the consortium network, KESI held its routine meeting on 28 January 2023, at the PSPD UGM Office in which KESI Secretariat is also located. This meeting was KESI's initial milestone in reflecting on its commitment to realizing a sustainable, circular economy for its members. In this meeting, KESI members discussed the opportunities and challenges of implementing a circular economy in various sectors, particularly in SMEs and community sectors.

As a follow-up to this discussion in the next few months, KESI will soon organize skills, management, and marketing training classes for its members, and then it will be opened for the public. This program is expected to be a key solution to the problems of MSMEs that have limited access to upgrade their skills, management, and marketing proficiency. Furthermore, this training program aims to accommodate the vast range of participants, including training that is accessible to everyone, not just to KESI members. Thus, KESI will continue to be committed to implement circular economy practice based on collaboration and empowerment for all levels of society.

Friday (8/4/22), the Center for World Trade Studies (CWTS) Universitas Gadjah Mada held an online writing workshop which was attended by UGM PSPD interns from various departments. On this occasion, PSPD UGM invited Raras Cahyafitri, M.Sc as the head of the Research Division of PSPD UGM who is experienced in journalism and writing as a speaker. This workshop aims to improve the writing skills of interns and PSPD UGM staff to be able to produce quality and trustworthy writing. The material presented includes discussions related to techniques and how to write for various outcomes.

The workshop was opened with a discussion regarding the important and main steps in starting a writing, namely writing the main sentence. In her presentation, Raras said that there are two types of placement of the main sentence, namely inductive (placed at the end of writing) and deductive (placed at the beginning of writing). To make writing more interesting, writing with comprehensive and coherent paragraphs is needed. Raras introduced three ways of composing paragraphs known as SMS––sort, match, and structure, namely sorting information, grouping, and determining the writing structure.

At the end of the session, the workshop participants were taught how to process data in a text and put it into a written framework to be developed into paragraphs by providing space for the workshop participants to practice this. In this session, participants learn how to present scientific statistical data into an informative and easy-to-understand reading. Some workshop participants had difficulty putting this into practice because the participants had to understand well the data presented and practice drawing general conclusions. However, these skills are important for interns to have, especially in terms of presenting data-based information in various outputs at CWTS UGM.

The workshop activities were enthusiastically followed by the participants, which was shown by the active participation of the participants in the question and answer sessions and practice sessions. In the presentation session on material related to processing data into writing, the intern on average had difficulty putting the material into practice. Thus, reflecting on this activity, it is expected that in the future there will be similar programs that can help improve the ability of writers.

Friday (8/4/22), the Center for World Trade Studies (CWTS) Universitas Gadjah Mada held an online writing workshop which was attended by UGM PSPD interns from various departments. On this occasion, PSPD UGM invited Raras Cahyafitri, M.Sc as the head of the Research Division of PSPD UGM who is experienced in journalism and writing as a speaker. This workshop aims to improve the writing skills of interns and PSPD UGM staff to be able to produce quality and trustworthy writing. The material presented includes discussions related to techniques and how to write for various outcomes.

The workshop was opened with a discussion regarding the important and main steps in starting a writing, namely writing the main sentence. In her presentation, Raras said that there are two types of placement of the main sentence, namely inductive (placed at the end of writing) and deductive (placed at the beginning of writing). To make writing more interesting, writing with comprehensive and coherent paragraphs is needed. Raras introduced three ways of composing paragraphs known as SMS––sort, match, and structure, namely sorting information, grouping, and determining the writing structure.

At the end of the session, the workshop participants were taught how to process data in a text and put it into a written framework to be developed into paragraphs by providing space for the workshop participants to practice this. In this session, participants learn how to present scientific statistical data into an informative and easy-to-understand reading. Some workshop participants had difficulty putting this into practice because the participants had to understand well the data presented and practice drawing general conclusions. However, these skills are important for interns to have, especially in terms of presenting data-based information in various outputs at CWTS UGM.

The workshop activities were enthusiastically followed by the participants, which was shown by the active participation of the participants in the question and answer sessions and practice sessions. In the presentation session on material related to processing data into writing, the intern on average had difficulty putting the material into practice. Thus, reflecting on this activity, it is expected that in the future there will be similar programs that can help improve the ability of writers. 

The Center for World Trade Studies Gadjah Mada University (CWTS UGM) visited the residence of the Governor of Central Java, Mr. Ganjar Pranowo, S.H, M.I.P, at Puri Gedeh, Semarang on Saturday (15/01/22). In the brief meeting, the Director of CWTS UGM, Dr. Riza Noer Arfani, together with the Executive Secretary of CWTS UGM, Dr. Maharani Hapsari, and the Representative of the ASEAN Nagoya Club (ANC), Indra Kesuma Nasution, held a discussion with Mr. Ganjar Pranowo SH, M.I.P, regarding the UGM CWTS program and the possibility for parties to collaborate in various collaborations with the Central Java Provincial Government.

Mr. Ganjar appreciated CWTS UGM activities that encourage the implementation of a circular economy as well as provide interesting input related to the development of circular economy implementation in Indonesia. Up to the present, the concept of a circular economy has not been widely recognized by the people of Central Java. However, the principles of circular economy have started to be implemented, one of which is through a waste sorting application called “Jeknyong” which was launched by the Banyumas Regency Government.

During the meeting, Mr. Ganjar also greatly supported the programs related to education and product development for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In a collaboration with ANC, CWTS UGM initiates Japanese language learning activities and opens opportunities for students in Indonesia to work in companies in Japan. This program is one of the programs that draws attention of Mr. Ganjar and in the future it can possibly be developed into a collaboration between the two parties. At the same time, Mr. Ganjar encouraged CWTS UGM to be involved in developing MSMEs in Central Java.

The visit ended with a commemorative activity from CWTS UGM to Mr. Ganjar Pranowo, S.H., M.I.P. and a group photo. Through this program, it is expected that in the future there will be a great collaboration between CWTS and the Central Java Provincial Government.