Yogyakarta – The Master of Social Welfare Program (MKS), Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, has once again demonstrated its international engagement. The Head of the Study Program, Dr. Muh Ulil Absor, was invited to serve as a discussant representing Indonesia at the 1st Bi-Annual Human Development Symposium: ASEAN Perspectives and Relevance, held virtually on 1 August 2026. The symposium was organized by California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), USA, in collaboration with Tam Nhung Social Enterprise, Vietnam.

The international symposium was held under the theme "Migrant Workers and Stay-Behind Families: Their Well-Being," focusing on the social, economic, health, and welfare challenges faced by families left behind by migrant workers across the ASEAN region. The event brought together academics, researchers, and practitioners from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and the United States to exchange ideas on strengthening policies and research related to labor migration. During the Roundtable Discussion entitled "Health and Mental Health Status of Overseas and Domestic Migrant Workers from Southeast Asia and Their Stay-Behind Families," Dr. Ulil Absor shared Indonesia's perspective on the challenges experienced by migrant workers' families, particularly those concerning child protection, mental health, family support systems, and the importance of strengthening community-based social services. His participation enriched the discussion by providing insights into Indonesia's experiences and policy approaches within the broader ASEAN context.

The discussion also emphasized the importance of viewing labor migration beyond its economic benefits, such as remittances, by recognizing its broader social implications, including its effects on children's development, family relationships, mental health, and the well-being of older adults who often assume caregiving responsibilities for their grandchildren while parents work abroad. Participants agreed that the issues faced by stay-behind families require greater attention in both regional policy agendas and future research initiatives.

In addition to discussing the challenges confronting migrant workers and their families, the symposium produced several collaborative initiatives. Participants agreed to establish a regional research framework across ASEAN, develop a proposal for an international edited book, and initiate collaborative research projects examining the impacts of migration on stay-behind families throughout Southeast Asia. The participation of the Master of Social Welfare Program in this symposium further reinforces UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to expanding international academic networks, fostering cross-country research collaboration, and producing evidence-based scholarship that contributes to the development of social policies, particularly in the areas of migration, family well-being, and human development in the ASEAN region.

Through its active involvement in international academic forums such as this, the Master of Social Welfare Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues to strengthen its position as a center of excellence in social welfare studies that responds to global social challenges while promoting international collaboration to generate meaningful and sustainable solutions for society.