Jember, East Java — The Student Activity Unit (UKM) Lentera Inspirasi Mahasiswa (LIMAS) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at the University of Jember (UNEJ) held an inspiring seminar titled “Katalis” on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
The event, which focused on the theme “Damaged Environment, Pressured People: Marginalized Communities Amidst Exploitation and Environmental Crisis,” showcased students’ deep concern for environmental issues and their impact on the lives of increasingly marginalized communities.
The seminar, held solemnly at the FISIP UNEJ Hall, was attended by dozens of students and officially opened by the Vice Dean III for Student Affairs and Alumni, Dr. Edy Wahyudi, S.Sos., M.Si. In his opening remarks, Dr. Wahyudi praised UKM LIMAS’s initiative for raising such a crucial and relevant issue. He emphasized the vital role of students as agents of change in responding to the ongoing environmental crisis.
The “Katalis” seminar aimed to awaken a collective awareness, especially among the younger generation, about the close link between environmental destruction and social justice. Through the chosen theme, UKM LIMAS highlighted how massive natural resource exploitation not only damages ecosystems but also directly displaces and pressures vulnerable communities who depend on nature for their livelihoods.
Discussions at the seminar delved into how the impacts of environmental exploitation are often unequally distributed. Indigenous peoples, farmers, and fishermen were cited as examples of groups who suffer the most negative consequences, from losing their sources of income and facing land conflicts to being forced to move from their ancestral homes. This phenomenon underscores that the environmental crisis is also an urgent humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed immediately.
By organizing this event, UKM LIMAS FISIP UNEJ hopes to spark a broader discussion and encourage the emergence of innovative solutions from within academia. The “Katalis” seminar is expected to be more than just a ceremonial event; it aims to ignite a passion in all participants to become more concerned and act together to preserve the environment for a just and sustainable future.