Elma Haryani, CRCS alumna 2001, in an interview with CRCS, said that her current work has been influenced by her experience at CRCS. “I’m more ready to be different and open to differences, meaning that I’m ready to open myself to everything that I have, and externally I’m ready to accept everything. I am better able to appreciate differences,” said Haryani, who is known as “Elma” to many. Nevertheless, she also gave criticism to CRCS.

This mother of two children has a career as a lecturer at an international education institution named The Islamic College, Jakarta. In addition to teaching at this institution and several collaborator universities (Islamic State University of Bandung and Paramadina University), she also serves as Head of Cooperation and Student Affairs Department at her campus.

“CRCS made me jump and I feel that CRCS is my foundation. So, my study in America became easier.”That was what Samsul Ma’arif, CRCS 2001 alumnus, said when asked about CRCS contributions to his career. Samsul, known as Anchu to many, is now doing research for his dissertation about Amatoa Kajang, a local religion, in South Sulawesi. For him, his success now is a continuity of his study which started from his undergraduate degree, and CRCS, in this case, has already given a high jump to his study.

By: Jimmy Marcos Immanuel

Based on several researches and local government’s data, the population of Marapu followers in East Sumba has been decreasing in recent days. This decrease is caused by several factors, both external and internal. Living together with Marapu followers in Wunga village, East Sumba, for 2 months has helped me to feel and understand the factors and perspectives of the Marapu followers, and also predict the future of Marapu as a local religion in Indonesia.

Similar to other local religions in Indonesia, Marapu is only acknowledged as a belief system rather than a religion. The followers of this belief system almost have no representation in the government. To be a civil servant, people in East Sumba must have one of the national religions (Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hindu, Buddha, Konghucu). In the village where I lived, the members of the local government of the village are still tolerated to be local civil servants because of limited resources. More than 80 percent of the population of Wunga village follows the Marapu belief system.

The activities of Hastho Bramanto, CRCS 2002 alumnus, are increasing because he has been launching a new book which he translated into Indonesia, “Kakawin Sutasoma”. This man, known as “Bram” to many, has visited several places in Java and Bali for the launching. “This book describes how during Majapahit era the people with all their differences lived together with their own local wisdom,” said Bram.

As the Head of Syailendra Buddhist College, Kopeng, Semarang regency, Bram sees that dialogue and respect for differences are really needed by us. This is in line with the ideas expressed in the new book. He thinks that his experiences studying at CRCS have helped shape his way in thinking and his work as a lecturer and writer.

This is not a new thing for Maesur Zaky, a CRCS 2002 alumnus, to struggle with marginalized community for their rights. He works as program manager of Persatuan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia (PKBI) for youth center. He is well-known throughout the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities in Yogyakarta and in other places including in HIV/AIDS communities. These all started from his struggle with them.

His work at PKBI now is prioritized to be done in the communities. “The process in PKBI is to strengthen the communities, for them who are marginalized such as transgender/transsexual, sex workers, young people without home and job, and for them who do marginalization like the mainstream youths. So, both are intervened. For them who are marginalized, they would be strengthened to be able to advocate for themselves, and for the people who marginalize those people would be able to reduce the stigmas and discrimination to the marginalized people.”

For Izak Y.M. Lattu, CRCS 2000 alumnus, CRCS has significantly contributed to his work now. “An open minded paradigm; CRCS does not give all knowledge, CRCS gives paradigm on how to stride.” That was his answer when asked what contribution CRCS has given to his life. This man, known as “Chaken” to many, is a lecturer at the Faculty of Theology where he heads one of its programs at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga

When he studied at CRCS, Izak experienced many things that benefited his life personally and also for other students. For him, the gaps of religions became fluid when he studied Religions together with other CRCS students, and it helped them learn other religions easily. The skill improvement in English is one of the benefits that he never forgets, including the national and international networking that he built.