IPB University Students Become Catalysts for GerakDampak Academy Program to Train Youth to Fight Bullying
9 IPB University students served as youth facilitators in the GerakDampak Academy #1MYouthsStopBullying Mini Bootcamp, a collaborative program between the Indika Foundation and Ruber Innovation Lab, which was attended by 78 high school/vocational school/Islamic high school students from Greater Jakarta online.
This program comes amid growing public concern over bullying cases in schools. According to data from the Indonesian Teachers’ Union Federation (FSGI), there were 30 bullying cases recorded in Jakarta throughout 2023.
In response to this challenge, GerakDampak Academy was designed as a space for young people to learn and grow, fostering leadership, empathy, and peace, and encouraging them to create anti-bullying movements in schools and communities.
Before accompanying the bootcamp participants, the facilitators attended a Training of Trainers (ToT) at Ruber Innovation Lab, South Jakarta. In the training, they were equipped with the Harmoni, VUCA Leadership, and Buddy Pekerti Values curricula, three pillars of learning that foster the ability to lead oneself (lead self), lead others (lead others), and lead change (lead change).
“I am so proud to be part of GerakDampak Academy. We learn not only how to mentor high school students but also how to become agents of change in our own communities,” said Siti Karmilah, an IPB University student and program facilitator.
The involvement of IPB University students is a clear example of a collective movement by young people to drive social change. Through collaboration across campuses, schools, and communities, they have proven that bullying can be tackled together with a spirit of caring and concrete action.
As the lead facilitator, Minhah Maliyatusyarifah, a student at IPB University, expressed her hope that the experiences gained by the facilitators and participants would not end with the training activities, but would be the first step for the younger generation to continue spreading the spirit of kindness and creating safe spaces in their respective environments.
From this series of programs, the top 20 participants will proceed to the Intensive Course on October 18–19th, 2025, to design and implement anti-bullying actions in their respective schools.
GerakDampak Academy demonstrates that change does not have to start on a large scale; it can begin with a group of young people who dare to act together to spread the values of empathy, diversity, and peace. (*/Rz) (IAAS/KQA)
