In this circle, we’ve learned that being a man isn’t about always being strong or having all the answers.

From 24 May to 12 July 2025, IofC Indonesia hosted a Trust building program with the theme "Speak Up Project: Conversation for Peace."

The northern and western parts of the Indonesian island of Sumatra are suffering from floods and landslides.

A home for everyone to grow and heal

BINUS University, through its Character Building Development Center (CBDC), together with the Trustbuilding Program of Initiatives of Change (IofC) Indonesia, hosted a one-day workshop titled “Healing the Past, Hope for the Future: Integrating Mental Health into Trustbuilding; Promoting Inner Healing and Resilience for Sustainable Peace.”

The first session on the first day of The 2nd Learning Community International Life-Work Conference was led by Nurhayati Syafii, a member of the Indonesian School of Reconciliation, with this inner listening question. It wasn’t even the opening session yet, but it already felt like being invited into the part of myself I least wanted to open—being responsible for something I didn’t want to admit.

The year 2025 marks a special milestone as IofC Indonesia’s Creators of Peace (CoP) opened its first class for young people in Bandung.

Bandung Peace Week 2025: From Bandung to the World, Reviving a Spirit of Dialogue and Solidarity

Every story shared in all the sessions of the Bandung Peace Week 2025 activities described the same common thread: that true change begins from a heart willing to learn. It all starts from within: realizing, appreciating, and making peace with oneself. Through simple conversations at every opportunity, everyone discovered something about themselves, others, and about the meaning of togetherness. From there, a new energy was born to continue igniting the spirit of peace in their respective environments.

The spirit of "inner listening" discussed made me realize that to be able to be unselfish, one must start from listening to the deepest heart's voice. One needs to recognize the wishes and needs of others, and letting go of greed or excessive ego. The example story of Aparna's grandmother who, while in a coma and when conscious, the first thing she did was ask about the condition of others, illustrates the value of sincere and deep unselfishness. This is not an easy thing, but it is a life choice that can be learned and practiced consciously.