Humanities And Sustainability Become Collaboration For A Better Future

JAKARTA - Efforts to build a sustainable future now not only depend on technological advances, but also on how human values are able to accompany every innovation step.

This spirit emerged in the International Conference on Digital Humanities and Environmental Sustainability (CODHES 2025), an academic forum that brings together thinkers from various parts of the world.

The two-day conference which took place at the Auditorium Campus Anggrek, Jakarta, was initiated by the Faculty of Humanities BINUS University in collaboration with Universitas Brawijaya (UB).

Carrying the theme 'Sustainability in the Digital Age: Rethinking Humanities, Digitalization, and the Environment', CODHES 2025 presents cross-disciplinary dialogue between academics, researchers, and practitioners from Indonesia, Taiwan, the Netherlands, to the United States.

This activity not only discusses theory, but also invites participants to reflect on the relationship between digital technology, human values, and responsibility for the earth.

Strong support came from Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO) in Indonesia, National Taiwan University (NTU), and Taiwan Education Ministry through Taiwan Studies Project.

The presence of an official representative from HE Bruce Chen-jung Hung, Representative of TETO is a symbol of Taiwan's commitment to strengthening academic partnerships in Southeast Asia.

In his remarks, Dr. Jureynolds, SS, M.Litt, as Chairman of CODHES 2025 as well as Head of Global Business Program Chinese BINUS University highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between digital progress and human values.

Digital technology gives us tremendous speed and efficiency, but without human values, innovation can lose course. Digital humanities are here to maintain a balance between progress and sustainability," said Dr. Jureynolds, from an official statement.

The same thing was conveyed by Prof. Bart Barendregt of Leiden University, Netherlands who emphasized cultural diversity must be the main foundation in the era of digital transformation.

"Hucultural inclusion and human diversity need to be part of global digital transformation. The digital world should strengthen, not erase, the richness of human identity and expression," he said.

In addition to the two figures, the conference also presented Prof. E. Leigh Bonds from The Ohio State University (United States) and Prof. Dr. Shidarta, SH, M. Hum. from BINUS University.

They discussed various important topics, ranging from the ethics of artificial intelligence, digital sustainability, to legal and social challenges in the Industrial era 5.0.

Dean of the Faculty of Humanities BINUS University, Dr. Elisa Carolina Marion, emphasized that CODHES 2025 is a strategic step in strengthening international academic collaboration in the field of digital humanities.

Through CODHES, we are trying to connect technological innovation with human values to create a more sustainable future. This is our commitment to be part of a global solution," he said.

With the support of various international institutions as well as the participation of cross-border academics, CODHES 2025 is an important milestone in interdisciplinary research journey in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This conference shows cross-border collaboration and discipline is not only possible, but also absolutely necessary to build a digital world that remains humane and sustainable.