Named in honor of the children's rights activist, Columbia alumna and PUSKAPA co-founder, the Santi lecture highlights policy research on children’s rights and child well-being undertaken by an emerging scholar from the Global South. With support from the Oak Foundation, the CPC Learning Network and its partners will celebrate and commemorate Dr. Santi Kusumaningrum’s legacy with the inaugural lecture to be held at Columbia University. Subsequent lectures will be hosted by CPC partners on a rotating basis.

Our speaker Dr. Hani Yulindrasari also hails from PUSKAPA, the Centre for Child Protection and Wellbeing at Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta. PUSKAPA is a leading think-tank on child wellbeing and children's rights in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Some of PSUKAPA's recent work includes a critical look on the portrayal of Indonesian girlhood in academic literature, participatory action research on youth and climate change, and partnerships with government to improve national statistics.

On April 9, Hani will take us on a journey exploring climate change as an issue with both childrens' rights and gender dimensions.

From Vulnerability to Empowerment: Reframing Climate Change as a Children's Rights and Gender Issue

With Hani Yulindrasari

The exploitation of natural resources and the resultant environmental degradation inevitably led to adverse consequences for human populations. As highlighted by UNICEF's Children's Climate Risk Index, the ramifications of climate change threaten the rights of children to health, education, and a sustainable future. Children in the Global South are particularly at risk, facing challenges that stem from their socio-economic conditions, limited access to resources, and inadequate support systems. These vulnerabilities underscore the need to view climate change through the lens of children's rights, emphasizing the obligation of governments, communities, and academic institutions to act.

Climate change also exacerbates existing gender inequalities, affecting women and girls disproportionately. In many societies, women and girls are especially vulnerable to climate-induced hardships because of entrenched stereotypes, traditional gender roles, and their marginalized status within patriarchal structures. Hani will explore the interconnectedness of climate change, children's rights, and gender, arguing that addressing climate change requires an understanding of how these issues intersect.

Hani will argue for a shift away from an overly protective stance towards one that encourages critical thinking and active participation. By fostering environments where children can learn about their rights and the importance of sustainability, she suggests we can cultivate a generation that is not only aware of the challenges they face but also empowered to effect change.

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About Hani Yulindrasari

Dr. Hani Yulindrasari is an Indonesian academic and gender specialist. She holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from The University of Melbourne, Australia, alongside a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia. Currently, Dr. Yulindrasari serves as the Head of the Special Unit for Sexual Violence Prevention and Eradication at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. She is also an Associate Professor in the Psychology of Gender and Social Studies of Early Childhood. With over 22 years of dedicated experience in gender research and consultancy, she has collaborated with prominent international organizations, including GIZ, ACER, UNFPA, UNICEF, SEAMEO, and the European Union. Her work primarily focuses on gender issues, children’s rights, education, and climate justice. Dr. Yulindrasari continues to be a voice in her field, advocating for gender equity and the rights of children through her research, teaching, and community engagement.‍

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About Santi

The Santi lecture is named in loving honor of Dr. Santi Kusumaningrum. As many of you may know, we lost our dear friend, collegue and alumna Dr.Santi Kusumaningrum back in July of 2023. Her loss remains deeply felt by the CPC Learning Network and colleagues around the world. Santi was a trailblazing activist, brilliant thinker, beloved mentor, and courageous leader who worked tirelessly to fight for children’s rights in Indonesia and around the world.  Santi co-founded and served as the director and principal investigator of PUSKAPA, the Center on Child Protection and Well-Being at the University of Indonesia, which advances policy research for children’s rights in Indonesia and the region. A self-described “lifelong student of learning,” Santi was passionate about teaching and mentoring, serving on the faculties of both Columbia University and the University of Indonesia. Santi completed her DrPH at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in Leadership in Global Health and Humanitarian Systems in 2019 and was the recipient of the Global Health Award for her outstanding academic achievement and dissertation research on enhancing Indonesia’s Birth Registration System. Over the past 20 years, Santi’s work demonstrated a unique ability to bridge the worlds of academia, policy, and practice to advance children’s rights and well-being.

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DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

TIME: 11:45AM-12:45PM EST

LOCATION: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, with Remote Participation Option

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Registration: https://columbiacuimc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-w4RWRuoS3-yChvuByFfDw