Igniting the Concern of the Young Generation, UMN Guest Lecture Discusses the Role of Communication Strategy in Climate Crisis

Arief Aziz as a speaker at the FIKOM UMN guest lecture. (Doc. UMN)

TANGERANG – Multimedia Nusantara University’s Faculty of Communication Sciences (Fakultas Ilmu Komunikasi Universitas Multimedia Nusantara/FIKOM UMN) held a guest lecture that highlighted an important issue, such as the climate crisis. This was held as part of the material deepening for the Media Relations and Publicity Effectiveness course. The event occurred at Lecture Hall, 3rd Floor, Building C, UMN, on Wednesday (8/11/2023).

The event was hosted by the Head of the UMN Strategic Communication Study Program, Cendera Rizky Anugrah Bangun, and invited the main speaker, the Director of Networks and Partnerships of Climate Catalyst, Arief Aziz.

Arief presented material on the role of communication in overcoming the challenges of climate change issues. Arief Aziz’s presentation covered various topics related to climate change impacts, community responses, and effective communication strategies.

Arief revealed that Gen-Z and Millennials care about climate conditions. They are not apathetic but need the right communication approach.

“With the right public communication, strategy, and advocacy, young people can accept climate issues. We must approach with stories that the crisis is real and the energy of young people is immense to be the solution. It is time for us to implement a communication strategy in this field,” said Arief.

In a more detailed context, Arief also highlighted the importance of storytelling in communication, emphasizing that stories have the power to move the heart and brain. He noted that illustrations of real stories and their impact on our daily lives are vital in creating effective messages.

In addition, Arief also hopes that students, as future PR candidates, can bring a strong narrative based on actual facts and reality.

Group photo session. (Doc. UMN)

On this occasion, Cendera added that as future PRs, they must also be sensitive and concerned about the climate and create positive campaign movements.

“The most possible approach that PR can do is to create a positive campaign. For example, bottled water or every production uses plastic. PR can propose making bottles from special materials or provide dispensers. It can be a progressive movement. So the narrative can be that we don’t provide refillable gallons, but refillable dispensers can save a certain amount of rupiah and be part of the climate improvement movement. Young people can also like this narrative. Young people can take part in the good side,” Cendera said. 

The event has provided students and attendees valuable insights into effective communication strategies in the face of increasingly pressing global issues such as climate change. The results of this guest lecture are expected to inspire further steps in supporting positive change and awareness of environmental problems.

by Silvanus Alvin | UMN FIKOM Lecturer and Annisa Maulida | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika| Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara. www.umn.ac.id