UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, together with the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) at the University of Oslo and the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, launched the book Membela Hak-Hak Anak: Diskursus Fikih, HAM, dan Kepentingan Terbaik Anak (Defending Children's Rights: Discourse on Islamic Jurisprudence, Human Rights, and the Best Interests of the Child) at a Book Launch and Public Discussion event titled "Engaging the Faithful: Promoting Children's Rights in Human Rights Education in Indonesia," held on Tuesday (23/6) at the Postgraduate Hall of UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

The book launch marked a significant milestone in the cross-border academic collaboration between UIN Sunan Kalijaga and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights. Beyond the publication of a scholarly work, the event also served as a space for collective reflection on efforts to strengthen the protection and promotion of children's rights through education, research, religious engagement, and community empowerment.

The book is the product of collaboration among academics, researchers, practitioners, and social activists from various institutions, including Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan (Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga), Dr. Moh. Mufid and Dr. Nina Mariani Noor (postgraduate lecturers at UIN Sunan Kalijaga), Faqihuddin Abdul Kadir (UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon), Alissa Wahid (National Coordinator of the GUSDURian Network Indonesia), Dr. Halili Rais (Kanwil Kemenag DIY), Dr. Roudhotul Jannah (UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta), Rita Pranawati (Universitas HAMKA Jakarta and Special Staff to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education), and Hany Nurhalimah, an activist on women's issues, the environment, and children's rights.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga Director of Postgraduate Studies Prof. Moch. Nur Ichwan affirmed in his remarks that the book launch represents a concrete manifestation of successful academic cooperation involving universities, international institutions, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

"This is not merely the publication of a scholarly work, but the continuation of a productive collaboration between UIN Sunan Kalijaga and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights. The research and publication process involved many parties and demonstrates how academia can respond to real social problems," he said.

He stressed that universities must go beyond classroom learning and theory development, and that academics must produce research that is impactful and contributes meaningfully to society.

Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, who is also one of the book's authors, explained that the work is part of the 2025 research output of the collaborative Engaging the Faithful program, now in its third year of implementation. He expressed appreciation to NCHR for the partnership that has generated research programs, capacity-building initiatives, and academically oriented publications aimed at social transformation.

"Cross-border collaboration such as this contributes not only to the production of knowledge, but also to the strengthening of human dignity. Today we gather not merely to launch a book, but to reflect on our collective effort to advance children's rights," he said.

Prof. Noorhaidi emphasized that children's rights remain a significant challenge in Indonesia and globally, and that issues such as child marriage, custody rights, child welfare, access to education, and the application of the best interests of the child principle require approaches far more comprehensive than legal reform alone.

"In the Indonesian context, religion plays a vital role in shaping social values and behavior. Religious leaders and institutions therefore hold a strategic position as drivers of the advancement of children's rights," he explained.

NCHR representative Prof. Lena Larsen highlighted the importance of collaboration between academics and field practitioners in producing knowledge that is both relevant and impactful. She noted that the experiences of religious officials, religious counselors, and public service officers who deal directly with community issues represent an invaluable source of knowledge for academic development.

"Universities provide research-and evidence-based knowledge, while practitioners bring real-world experience. Both are essential in building knowledge-based social practices and driving meaningful change," she said.

Prof. Lena also commended the courage of practitioners in Indonesia in openly discussing sensitive issues often considered taboo, including matters of gender, family, and children's rights; openness she regards as vital capital for creating sustainable social change.

The public discussion accompanying the book launch featured experts from a range of national and international institutions, including Prof. Nelly van Doorn-Harder (Wake Forest University, USA), Dr. Lies Marcoes (Yayasan Harkat Perempuan), Dr. Nina Mariani Noor and Dr. Muh. Mufid (UIN Sunan Kalijaga Postgraduate Program), and Dr. Munirul Ikhwan (UIN Sunan Kalijaga Postgraduate Program) as moderator. The presence of international speakers further reinforces UIN Sunan Kalijaga's position as a strategic partner in global human rights discourse.

This book launch stands as an important marker of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's contribution to advancing human rights education grounded in religious values in Indonesia, while demonstrating that Islamic universities can serve as genuine and impactful drivers of social change. (humassk)