Denpasar, Jakarta – Commemorating the 20th year of the Yayasan Upaya Indonesia Damai, or better known as United In Diversity Foundation (UID), inviting more than 1000 alumni, colleagues and partners from tri-sectors who have become agents of transformative system change to a celebration event held simultaneously in two places, at the UID Learning Hub Jakarta and the UID Bali Campus that connected online on Sunday Morning, 19 November 2023.

"Over the last 20 years, United In Diversity has not only been a witness. We have spurred systemic change through more than 1,077 fellows, and are now ready to start a new era in our nation's development," said Tantowi Yahya, President of UID, at the opening of UID's 20th anniversary celebration.

This anniversary also aims to remind us of nobler goals and adapt their work to a wider scope in Indonesia, the Asia Pacific, and globally as a whole. UID recognizes that increasingly complex future challenges require a stronger collective approach by sharpening the gaps in understanding and challenges facing Indonesia and every social innovation initiative today.

"Facing this challenge, we invite UID fellows, colleagues, and partners who are present today to provide fresh insights and join in the call for joint action to support, create, and improve social innovation for systemic change," added Tantowi.

Since its establishment in 2003, United In Diversity has equipped more than a thousand stakeholders from various sectors to become agents of change. Through UID's programs, partnerships, and initiatives, various social innovations are disseminated to resolve social, ecological,and spiritual gaps, as well as create prototypes of business models and policies.

"We believe that social innovation is a journey, a forum for continuous learning and evolution, for the prosperity of society and the health of our planet. Let's build a commitment to the future, with integrity, innovation, and inclusiveness," he added.

The celebration of UID's 20th anniversary was also enlivened by group and panel discussions featuring key figures for change, such as Lestari Moerdijat, Deputy Chair of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI), Setyo Budiantoro, Manager of the SDGs Economic Development Pillar, SDGs National Secretariat; Catharina Widjaja, CEO of PT Alun Alun Indonesia Kreasi; and Margianta Surahman Juhanda Dinata, Founder and Executive Director of Emancipate Indonesia.

This discussion was attended by UID fellows, colleagues, and partners who are the leaders of various government sectors, businesses, and civil society groups at regional, national, and local levels, including grassroots communities and indigenous communities.

This event is part of the "Co-Initiating" program, a second step designed by UID to reflect and celebrate their journey, connecting diverse change initiatives. The first step has been taken through two online events on 28 and 30 October 2023, which invited UID friends to examine their work with each other to create wider awareness and appreciation of the collective efforts being made.