Teguh Dartanto at the 36th KSIxChange Discussion, “How Social Humanities Can Protect Vulnerable Groups Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic”
Nino Eka Putra ~ PR FEB UI
DEPOK – (21/9/2021) Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia (FEB UI), Teguh Dartanto, Ph.D., was a resource person in the 36th Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI)-Change or KSIxChange Discussion together with the ALMI Special Scientist Series, with the theme “How Social Humanities Can Protect Vulnerable Groups Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic” held online, on Tuesday (21/9/2021).
Vulnerable groups in Indonesia are the groups that have been hit hard during the pandemic. The burden they experience will increase if access to health, the economy, and vaccination is not easy to obtain. Moreover, policies are not designed to accommodate the needs of those who are classified as vulnerable.
In the 36th KSIxChange Discussion, Teguh Dartanto said that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the vulnerability of the social protection system in the community, which is still completely inadequate. This requires a more adaptive social protection system according to the times for all groups to deal with disruptions such as this pandemic.
So far, policy making in Indonesia has often only looked at the economic aspect. “In fact, a social humanities approach is needed to map vulnerable groups who have not received economic assistance in a more targeted manner, as well as to help the government design social protection policies that are inclusive and adaptive in response to disruption,” said Teguh.
On the one hand, the need for a comprehensive database system to reach all societal classes that need it, including the middle class. Differences in digital access during the pandemic can affect class inequality in society, with high-income people more likely to work from home than lower-income people. In addition, digital access also affects teaching and learning activities with children from vulnerable groups.
“I appreciate the government for trying to help vulnerable groups, even though it hasn’t worked out perfectly. We need social protection that is adaptive in nature and quickly responds to any disruptions,” said Teguh closing his session.
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