Civic Education Students Conduct First Day of PLK: A Concrete Step to Learn Democracy and Human Rights from Their “Home”
The Civic Education Study Program (PPKn) at UNESA has once again organized the annual Off-Campus Lecture (PLK) activity. In this program, 108 students from the 2022 cohort, accompanied by lecturers, visited several state institutions in Jakarta. These institutions included the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM RI), the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK), the National Resilience Institute (LEMHANAS), and the Constitutional Court. The activity took place from September 16–19, 2025.
Students departed from Surabaya on Tuesday (Sept 16) at 3:00 PM WIB and were scheduled to arrive in the capital on Wednesday morning. Before beginning the first day’s visits, they stopped at Istiqlal Mosque to perform the dawn prayer and freshen up. Breakfast together felt more meaningful in the spirit of togetherness among the enthusiastic Civic Education students, eager to gain new experiences and knowledge. This camaraderie rivaled the symbolic harmony between Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral standing across from it.
The first destination on Wednesday (Sept 17) was the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia. Students and lecturers were warmly welcomed by the DPD RI Secretariat General. Representing the Civic Education lecturers, Mr. Iman Pasu Marganda Hadiarto Purba, S.H., M.H., delivered a welcome speech. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit and explained that the activity aimed to provide students with real-world insights into the legislative institution.
The introduction to DPD RI was presented by Mr. Nanang Agung Benny Ritanto, M.Si., Head of the Protocol, Public Relations, and Media Bureau. The presentation covered the institution’s profile, functions, duties, and leadership structure. Students listened attentively and took notes on key points.
During the discussion and Q&A session, four Civic Education students had the opportunity to speak directly with DPD RI representatives. Topics raised included low teacher salaries, the independence of DPD RI members who are not affiliated with political parties, the assurance of public aspirations being fulfilled, and the recess mechanism for absorbing public input—especially regarding regional tax increases. The DPD RI appreciated the thoughtful questions and the students’ confidence. The visit concluded with group photos in the meeting room and in front of the parliament building.
As the sun reached its peak, the group moved from Gatot Subroto Street to the Menteng area in Central Jakarta, specifically to the Komnas HAM RI office. During this visit, students received an open explanation about the duties and functions of Komnas HAM, as well as the definition of human rights, which helped them better understand the Human Rights course in their seventh semester.
To deepen their understanding, several students were given the chance to ask questions directly. These included the role of Komnas HAM in handling serious human rights violations that the state fails to resolve, and the commission’s position regarding separatist groups in Papua. Komnas HAM responded clearly, concisely, and transparently. The first day’s visit ended with a group photo with Komnas HAM leaders before returning to the hotel.
