JEMBER – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at the University of Jember (UNEJ) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a politically conscious younger generation. On November 5, 2025, the Dean of FISIP officially inaugurated a strategic initiative titled “Critical Youth for Democracy: Building Student Oversight of the Legislature and Elections.” The opening ceremony, held with great solemnity at the FISIP UNEJ Assembly Hall, marked the commencement of a series of high-level activities for the student body.
The program was conceived as a proactive response to increasingly complex democratic dynamics. It emphasizes that students must evolve beyond their academic roles to serve as active monitors of government proceedings. In his keynote address, the Dean emphasized the necessity of the “checks and balances” function, noting that it is a fundamental principle that young intellectuals must grasp. He expressed hope that this forum would provide students with the technical expertise and moral fortitude required to monitor legislative performance and uphold the integrity of future electoral processes.
Student enthusiasm for democratic discourse was palpable, with the assembly hall reaching full capacity early in the morning. The event was attended by representatives from various Departmental Student Associations (HMJ) and Student Organizations (Ormawa) within FISIP. The presence of these campus activists underscores a collective awareness that participatory oversight is vital to preventing the abuse of power and ensuring that public aspirations are accurately represented.
The curriculum of “Critical Youth for Democracy” is specifically designed to sharpen students’ analytical reasoning. Participants are not merely passive recipients of theoretical lectures; they are challenged to dissect case studies regarding parliamentary transparency and democratic electoral governance. This synergy between the faculty administration and student organizations serves as a testament to the solidarity of the FISIP UNEJ academic community in defending Indonesia’s democratic pillars.
Concluding the opening ceremony, the Dean symbolically pinned participant badges on student representatives, officially launching the program. The initiative carries the high expectation of cultivating independent, high-integrity observers. Equipped with the knowledge gained from this program, FISIP UNEJ students are expected to emerge as the vanguard of a democratic system that is substantial, fair, and dignified.