Banda Aceh, July 20, 2023 – In a captivating fusion of art, academia, and community involvement, the “Kaliurang Festival Hub X The Veranda Film Festival X Aceh Documentary” emerged as an exceptional collaborative endeavor. Spearheaded by the Research Center for Social and Cultural Studies (PRISB) at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), this unique event saw the partnership of the Program Studi Ilmu Komunikasi at Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta and the Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) at USK. It unfolded at the prestigious Auditorium TDMRC, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, on  July 20, 2023.

Going beyond the conventional confines of academic symposiums, the event offered a riveting combination of cinematic experiences and enlightening discussions. The underlying themes revolved around the complex and intertwined issues of environmental communication and disaster management, subjects of paramount importance in the modern age.

The event’s roster of distinguished speakers and contributors featured a diverse array of experts, each offering a unique perspective on the subjects at hand. Mahruza Murdani, a Visual Communication Specialist at TDMRC, Universitas Syiah Kuala, graced the audience with her illuminating insights into the transformative potential of visual imagery, emphasizing its role in conveying crucial messages related to the environment and disaster preparedness. Muzayin Nazaruddin, a renowned researcher hailing from Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta and Tartu University, shared his extensive knowledge on Environmental Communication and Disaster Management, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of communication within the context of environmental issues and disaster mitigation.

Adding a distinctive cultural perspective to the discussions was Sébastien Penmellen Boret, an esteemed Anthropologist from Tohoku University in Japan. Sébastien’s participation revealed the profound cultural aspects intertwined with disaster management and environmental communication, enriching the discourse with his anthropological insights. The event was expertly moderated by Rizanna Rosemary, a competent representative from PRISB at Universitas Syiah Kuala, who skillfully steered the discussions, ensuring a productive exchange of ideas and insights throughout the day.