The global agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) became the starting point for the 1st International Conference on Dance and Education (ICODE) 2025, organized by the Dance Education Study Program, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang (FBS UNNES).
Carrying the theme “Innovation and Sustainability in Dance and Education”, the conference underscored the vital role of dance in realizing quality education, innovation, and cross-border partnerships.
The international conference, held virtually on Wednesday, was attended by more than 200 participants from Indonesia and abroad. This prestigious event featured four keynote speakers from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia:
- Prof. Dr. Hanafi bin Hussin (Universiti Malaya)
- Asst. Prof. Phakamas Jirajaruphat (Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand)
- Dr. Joelle Florence Patrice Jacinto (Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, Philippines)
- Prof. Dr. Agus Cahyono, M.Hum. (Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia)
The speakers highlighted innovative teaching methods and the sustainability of dance in contemporary contexts.
In addition to plenary sessions, 27 presenters from various universities and cultural institutions shared their research findings and experiences in parallel sessions. Discussions were lively, with active engagement from academics, art practitioners, and students worldwide.
Lesa Paranti, M.A., Chair of the Committee, emphasized that ICODE 2025 is driven by the spirit of the SDGs.
“This conference serves as an international collaborative forum that strengthens the role of dance in education and cultural sustainability. The enthusiasm of participants from around the world shows that dance is deeply connected to universal issues such as quality education and international partnerships,” she stated.
According to Dr. Eny Kusumastuti, Head of the Dance Education Study Program, dance functions as a system of signs in the framework of structural anthropology.
“Dance is a system of signs that embodies identity and social relations. Every movement holds cultural structures that balance tradition and modernity. Through education, these structures are passed down across generations, making dance both a medium for cultural sustainability and a space for intercultural dialogue,” she explained.
Dean of FBS UNNES, Prof. Dr. Tommi Yuniawan, M.Hum., affirmed that from the beginning, ICODE 2025 was designed with the SDGs agenda as its foundation.
“This conference is inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals. The aspect of quality education is reflected in strengthening dance studies, innovative research presents relevant learning for today’s needs, and international networking reinforces cross-border partnerships. This is FBS UNNES’s contribution to the world,” he said.
He closed his remarks with an aphorism: “Dance is a language without words, education is a bridge without borders, and when the two unite, a lasting civilization is born.”
As ICODE 2025 concluded, participants expressed hope that the conference would be held annually. The cross-country research networks established are expected to enrich academic knowledge while providing real contributions to the preservation of dance at both national and international levels.
