The International Relations Study Program under the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Jember (UNEJ) has officially launched “IR UNEJ Commentary,” short for International Relations Universitas Jember Commentary. This program provides an opportunity for lecturers, students, and alumni to express academic insights that are highly responsive to global issues. It aims to foster a culture of critical, reflective, and solution-oriented thinking, while boosting the university’s role in contributing perspectives to the dynamics of international relations.
IR UNEJ Commentary is a bi-monthly, opinion-based short publication platform covering a wide range of topics. These include global security, diplomacy, foreign policy, international economics and trade, energy and the environment, culture, democracy, human rights, migration, ethnicity, religion, gender, and regional issues. The program is expected to bridge the gap between academia and the public, ensuring that the articles are accessible not only to academics but also to the broader community, including policymakers.
The initiative also reflects the International Relations Study Program’s effort to hone students’ skills in practical writing, analysis, and argument development. Moving forward, it is envisioned to contribute significantly to constructive public discourse.
The study program has outlined several requirements for prospective contributors. Among these, submissions must be between 800 to 1,000 words in length and can be written in either Indonesian or English.
Drs. Bagus Sigit Sunarko, M.Si., Ph.D., Coordinator of the International Relations Study Program, shared his views regarding the program. He noted that as an integral part of the department’s website, IR UNEJ Commentary plays a crucial role in transforming the site from a previously passive, one-way platform into a more interactive space by offering a medium for visitors to share insights and ideas.
Meanwhile, Professor Abubakar Eby Hara also expressed his hope that the platform would serve as a vital forum for communication, discussion, and interaction among international relations experts concerning contemporary global issues.