This year's KAAD Academy Abroad took place in Semarang, Indonesia, from October 24 to 26, 2025. Under the title "Food Security for Southeast Asia despite Climate Change and Conflict", it brought together around seventy academics, students, alumnae and alumni from Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
The Academy thus addressed a topic that is highly topical from both a global and national perspective in Indonesia. The fight against hunger is one of the central goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but climate change, conflicts and political uncertainty are jeopardizing food security in many places. This issue is also at the center of public debate in Indonesia: President Prabowo Subianto has formulated the goal of achieving food self-sufficiency within a few years in order to ensure price stability and independence from imports. Against this backdrop, the Academy offered a forum to discuss the social, ecological and political dimensions of these challenges from a regional and international perspective.
KAAD President Fr Dr Hans Langendörfer SJ opened the conference together with KAAD Secretary General Dr Nora Kalbarczyk and the Chair of the Indonesian partner committee, Dr Juliana Murniati. In his welcoming address, Fr. Langendörfer emphasized the importance of places like this academy, "where the wisdom of local experience is combined with the insights of global research". In her contribution, Nora Kalbarczyk emphasized that education always means "service to others" and is fundamentally based on solidarity. Personal exchange and a "culture of encounter" are crucial for an education that "serves society in order to promote the common good". This idea was the leitmotif of the presentations and discussions over the following days.
The focus of the substantive work was on the causes and consequences of food insecurity in Southeast Asia. Representatives from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Germany shed light on how ecological, social and economic factors are intertwined. The academy was organized in cooperation with Dr Triyanti (Partner Committee Indonesia), Celine Widjojo (KONTAK) and the Indonesian alumni network; the moderation was alternately carried out by different participants from the panels.
The scientific contributions introduced the complex interrelationships between agriculture, politics and society:
Dr. Djeimy Kusnaman from Jenderal Soedirman University in Purwokerto analyzed the political framework conditions of Indonesian agriculture. His contribution, which was presented as a substitute due to illness, showed how government programs aim to achieve food sovereignty and social stability. Dr Achmad Dawami from PT Japfa Comfeed, a leading agri-food company in Indonesia, spoke about the Indonesian poultry industry. Dr Wisnu Pradoto from Diponegoro University in Semarang explained how urban development and agricultural land conflicts interact in his presentation on land use planning and spatial planning. Dr Budi Widianarko from Soegijapranata Catholic University addressed questions of ecological responsibility and fairness in food systems and emphasized that resilience is dependent on institutional cooperation and awareness-raising.
The focus was also on maritime areas. KAAD alumna Dr Regina Bacalso from the Fish Right Program of the Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island used the example of cooperation between non-governmental organizations and fishing communities to explain how sustainable management of fish stocks can succeed. She made it clear that the coastal and fishing industries are not only ecological but also social lifelines for millions of people. Antonius J. Supit, President Commissioner of PT Sreeya Sewu Indonesia and member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, made it clear that Indonesia's agricultural strategy under President Prabowo is at a crossroads. In the thematic block on urban nutrition, Dr Pius Sugen Prasetyo from Parahyangan Catholic University used the example of urban farming in Bandung to explain the image of a city that assumes social responsibility – through a circular economy, local production and community structures.
The speakers' contributions combined scientific analysis with a careful ethical classification and a look at concrete requirements for action. The discussions made it clear that food security is not just a question of technical innovation, but is essentially determined by political design, questions of justice and a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development.
In his closing remarks, DrAnselm Feldmann, Head of the KAAD Asia Department, emphasized that the KAAD unites students, alumnae and alumni from different regions of the world in common values. The Indonesian national motto "Unity in Diversity" describes this foundation of solidarity, personal encounters and responsibility for the common good particularly aptly and at the same time characterizes the work of KAAD.
Education and agriculture were experienced in practice at the agricultural training center of the Jesuit Course Pertanian Taman Tani (KPTT). Here, participants were able to experience the combination of spiritual and agricultural education. Pupils, students and young farmers are trained there in organic farming and thus contribute to good and sustainable food production.
One of Fr Dr Hans Langendörfer SJ and Fr Dr Simon Petrus Lili Tjahjadi SJ concluded the academy, which owed its success to the commitment of numerous partners – above all the KAAD and KONTAK networks, which had prepared the days with great care under the leadership of Dr Triyanti and Celine Widjojo.
To the program of the academy abroad
