UMN Shows Its Commitment to Sustainability Issues at The COP 28, Dubai, UAE

Maria Advenita Gita Elmada, Communication Science lecturer from UMN at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Dubai, UAE (Doc. Maria Advenita)

Tangerang – Maria Advenita Gita Elmada, a Communication Science lecturer from Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN), contributed to communication and climate change discussions at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Dubai, UAE. In addition to attending the entire series of activities as an observer and as a representative of the International Environmental Communication Association, Maria was also asked to give her views through presentations at two side events, as well as being a facilitator in discussions held at the 5th Paris Convention Capacity Building (PCCB) Hub.

Maria first presented at the Uzbekistan Pavilion, COP 28, on December 5, 2023. The discussion was titled “Journalism in the Era of Triple Planetary Crisis,” highlighting the importance of accurate and responsible journalism in the face of climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Representatives from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Earth Journalism Network also attended the panel. 

Maria spoke about the critical role of journalists as a bridge between researchers and scientists who focus on climate change and the wider community. Journalists must draw public attention to environmental issues, make scientific data accessible to diverse audiences, and make environmental problems a shared concern.

Maria presenting at the Uzbekistan Pavilion, COP 28 (Doc. Maria Advenita)

Maria’s second presentation was at a side event of the UNFCCC with the theme Working Through Climate Conflicts: Justice-Based Climate Action for Adaptation and Sustainability on December 10, 2023. In the panel, Maria focused on how to build resilient communities in rural areas, with a case study of what UMN is doing, especially the Communication Studies Program with the South Lebak Mitigation Cluster in the Lebak Regency area. 

In her presentation, Maria emphasized knowledge exchange, innovation and technology integration, community involvement and mobilizing participation, capacity building and empowerment, and sustainable solutions for community resilience development.

Apart from being a presenter, Maria also contributed as a facilitator in the Capacity Building Hub activity, where she guided a discussion on the importance of collaboration between universities in the global south in an activity that focused on strengthening south-south cooperation on December 8, 2023. 

In the discussion group, which consisted of academics and practitioners from Indonesia, Brazil, Liberia, Colombia, Peru, and the United States, it was mentioned that the shared experience of people in the southern part of the world who feel the impact of climate change should be the primary driver of cooperation between universities.

Maria at the Uzbekistan Pavilion discussion, COP 28 (Doc. Maria Advenita)

The last discussion, where Maria was also a facilitator, was at the side event related to Capacities for Rights-based Climate Action Day, where the case study was about community capacity building in dealing with climate change, especially in conflict areas. The event, which was held on December 9, 2023, focused on the complexity of capacity building in conflict areas and the most appropriate model to do so.

In addition to these special activities, Maria also networked with various groups from various countries, who were enthusiastic about collaborating with the UMN Communication Science Study Program in the future. Maria also actively shares what has been done at UMN and how the entire UMN academic community tries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through every activity. The event was interesting and exciting, and it is hoped that the event could continue with good international collaboration.

By FIkom UMN

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