The Master's Program in Social Welfare at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta once again provided an academic discussion space relevant to contemporary social welfare challenges through a seminar titled “From Global Practice to Local Policy: Respite Care for the Future of Elderly Care in Indonesia” on Tuesday (June 2). The event, which took place at the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Library Theatrical Room, featured three experienced speakers: Nyadi Kasmoredjo from the Wredha Mulya Foundation DIY, Dr. Ulil Absor, S.H.I., M.A. from the Master's Program in Social Welfare at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and Tauchid Komara Yuda, S.Sos., MDP., Ph.D. from Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The academic event, which ran from 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM WIB (Western Indonesia Time), was officially opened by the Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, Dr. Muhsin Kalida. The event was also attended by several prominent figures, including Social Welfare Master's Program Lecturer, Dr. Aryan Torrido, and the Chairman of the Independent Association of Indonesian Professional Social Workers (IPSPI), Husen Maulana. The presence of faculty leaders, academics, and practitioners demonstrates strong commitment and full support for the discourse on developing social service policies in Indonesia.

Enthusiasm for the issue of elderly care was palpable as the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Library Theatrical Room was filled with participants from various backgrounds. The seminar was attended by Master's students of Social Welfare from three cohorts, as well as students from various master's programs within the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication. Furthermore, representatives from the Institute for Assessment and Professional Development of Social Workers (LP3S) from the Undergraduate Program in Social Welfare Sciences also participated, making this forum a dynamic space for cross-level collaboration and discussion.

This seminar served as a platform for exchanging ideas regarding the development of a more inclusive and sustainable elderly care system in Indonesia. The speakers highlighted the importance of the respite care concept as a form of support for families and caregivers tending to the elderly. Practices that have been developed in various countries are considered capable of reducing the physical, emotional, and social burdens experienced by caregivers, while simultaneously improving the quality of life for the elderly. The discussion also emphasized that the increasing number of the elderly population in Indonesia demands the presence of social service innovations that focus not only on the elderly themselves but also on the well-being of the families at the forefront of the caregiving process.

Through this seminar, participants were invited to explore how global practices can be adapted into the local context through policy support that is responsive to the community's needs. The diverse perspectives shared opened up a space for reflection on the importance of collaboration among the government, academics, social organizations, and the community in building a more comprehensive elderly care system. This event simultaneously reaffirms the commitment of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, particularly the Master's Program in Social Welfare, to driving the development of knowledge and social welfare practices that contribute to the realization of an inclusive and elder-friendly society.