The ability to start a business, adapt to technology, and read economic change is an important asset for young people who want to help drive Indonesia's economy. Amid global economic uncertainty, developing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is one way to expand employment opportunities and help Indonesia escape the middle-income trap on the road to Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045).

These issues were discussed at the HES Festival 2026 National Seminar, organized by the Islamic Economic Law Study Program (HES) of the Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The seminar was held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in the Convention Hall on the first floor of the campus. It featured Kulon Progo Deputy Regent Ambar Purwoko and Advensius Cristian, Junior Expert Policy Analyst at the Ministry of MSMEs.

Through this forum, students were encouraged to see economic issues not merely as challenges, but also as opportunities to bring forward ideas and create business ventures that meet community needs.

In his presentation, titled “Berani Ambil Peran” (Dare to Take a Role), Ambar Purwoko stressed that young people must be ready to face global change. Economic uncertainty, the climate crisis, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), geopolitical tensions, the transformation of the workplace, and social inequality all demand adaptability as well as a sharp eye for identifying problems.

He said knowledge must be balanced with skills and good character (akhlak) so that young people can take on meaningful roles amid change.

“A young person must not only have knowledge that is continually sharpened, but also the skills to navigate shifting dynamics and seize opportunities, along with good character,” he said.

He also urged students to turn their knowledge and creativity into real initiatives in the region's strategic sectors, such as agriculture, tourism, MSMEs, and the digital economy.

In his view, a region's potential can flourish when government policy, university research, and the courage of business owners are connected. In this context, students have room to contribute through ideas, innovation, and problem-solving rooted in community needs.

From the perspective of business development policy, the Junior Expert Policy Analyst from the Ministry of MSMEs presented “The Role of Youth in Developing Indonesian MSMEs in the Global Economy.” The presentation highlighted opportunities for young people to take part in economic growth through entrepreneurship and by building their business capacity.

The presentation noted that 73 percent of young entrepreneurs want to create their own business opportunities, and that they contribute 16 percent of the nation's non-oil and gas exports. These figures point to the potential of young entrepreneurs to help drive the economy, although business development still requires support in skills, market access, financing, and mentoring.

For students, this opportunity can begin with identifying needs in their surroundings, developing products or services that add value, and using technology to expand market reach. However, the courage to start a business must be matched by the ability to manage it so that it can survive and grow.

One form of government support for the MSME ecosystem is the SAPA UMKM digital platform. The platform is designed to serve as an integrated source of MSME data and a gateway to a range of services for business owners.

Its services include business licensing, skills development through structured training, and access to financing, including the People's Business Credit (KUR) program. This integration is intended to help business owners get the information and support they need to grow.

He added that MSME development also requires the ability to read market changes and use technology appropriately. For that reason, digital transformation cannot stop at using a platform. It must be accompanied by stronger capacity among business owners to manage and grow their businesses.

The HES Festival 2026 National Seminar served as a space to bring academic learning together with the economic issues communities face. Discussions on entrepreneurship, MSMEs, and digital transformation gave students a real-world context for understanding how knowledge can be applied in economic life.

For Islamic Economic Law students, the dynamics of business development also open opportunities to study legal compliance, governance, and economic practices in line with Sharia principles. In this way, academic contributions can come not only as ideas but also as efforts to meet the needs of business owners.

The journey toward Indonesia Emas 2045 requires young people who can identify problems, build skills, and turn opportunities into productive economic activity. Government policy support, the use of technology, and the involvement of universities are all part of the ecosystem that allows this potential to grow. (humassk)