Semarang – The Communication Science Study Program of Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), in collaboration with the Madani Berkelanjutan Foundation, held a National Seminar and Film Screening entitled DEMO(K)RAS(I) on Friday (September 12) at the C7 Auditorium. This event aimed to encourage students not only to understand the essence of climate justice issues but also to transform them into narratives that can be advocated through independent film works.
The film Demo(k)ras(i) highlights the realities of the climate crisis, which impacts not only the physical environment but also the social sphere, particularly vulnerable groups. The film also critically questions the extent to which public aspirations are accommodated in national climate policies. The philosophical styling of the title, with the letters “K” and “I” placed in parentheses, symbolizes demonstrations or activism, while also portraying the dynamics of climate democracy that are currently being tested and require strengthening.
Speakers at the event included Demo(k)ras(i) director Ansania Aghnetta, Madani Berkelanjutan Foundation representative Yosi Amelia, UNNES Communication Science lecturer Himmatul Ulya, S.IP., M.I.Kom., as well as WALHI Central Java activist Nur Cholils. They emphasized that the struggle for climate justice must be carried out through cross-sector collaboration.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UNNES stressed the urgency of sustaining this collaboration. “We hope that the partnership between the Communication Science Study Program and the Madani Foundation will continue in the future and make a positive contribution to the quality of education in Indonesia,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Yosi Amelia added that higher education institutions hold a strategic role in community empowerment. “As a non-governmental organization, we cannot operate independently. Collaboration with universities can promote research and policy advocacy. Thus, community capacity can be strengthened collectively,” she explained.
In addition to serving as a medium of advocacy, film screenings are also considered effective in conveying messages. For director Ansania Aghnetta, film is a powerful tool to advocate climate issues. “Watching a film engages more than one sense, so the message can feel stronger. If it’s only heard, it is usually easily forgotten. But through film, the audience can both hear and see, making the message more memorable and impactful. This is what makes film such a strong medium, even functioning as an effective propaganda tool,” she said.
This event was not merely a film screening, but also served as a discussion platform that brought together students, academics, activists, and filmmakers. From this event, it is hoped that a collective awareness will be fostered that the climate crisis requires critical voices from the younger generation as well as concrete actions to achieve climate justice in Indonesia.
