Susi Susanti
Indonesia
Susi Susanti is a first-year Master's student at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a degree in the Family Social Science Department (M.A.). She is a recipient of The Indonesia Endowment Funds for Education (LPDP), which has enabled her to pursue studies in the field of Family Studies. With a background as a former Elementary School teacher and storyteller, Susi brings a rich experience in education and communication to her current academic pursuits. Her research interests focus on understanding how parent education positively impacts family well-being. She is particularly passionate about exploring the influence of emotional-spiritual development on family dynamics and parent-child relationships, as well as the integration of media with nature-based education. Through her work, Susi aims to make meaningful contributions to the field, supporting families in fostering positive relationships and holistic development.
2024 Presenter, Colloquium on the World's Education System Series
(She/her/hers)
Master Degree Student
Department of Family Social Science
Community learning strengthens governmental family education initiatives from within
April 6th, 2024 @10:00AM
This presentation explores how grassroots community learning initiatives help strengthen the government's family education programs in Indonesia. It uses theories about culturally relevant development, participatory governance, and collaborative leadership to analyze literature on Indonesia’s evolving efforts to nurture whole-child wellness through family-focused approaches. Specifically, it examines how the national family education program, developed since 2017, collaborates with communities to constantly improve its efforts in more suitable ways. Through community learning circles, families provide input that ensures initiatives respect diverse cultural assets and contexts across Indonesia’s archipelago. This exchange sharing also makes the initiative's design and outreach stronger with traditional knowledge about holistically raising children. As such, communities take ownership over initiatives while also advising policy refinement. This two-way dynamic cultivates progressive reforms in a manner that empowers families as agents of change. The analysis sheds light on how improvements led by local communities can strengthen government efforts through working well together from the grassroots level outward.