Islands as Laboratories for Sustainability (ISLAs) Summer School 2024
We are excited and happy to share some highlights from the Islands as Laboratories for Sustainability (ISLAs) Summer/Winter School 2024. ISLAs is a yearly summer school initiative by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme ISLANDS and the University of Groningen, Faculty of Spatial Sciences. This year, ISLAs was co-organised with the Winter School Small Islands Planning organised by Institut Teknologi Bandung, the local organisers at Politeknik Pariwisata Bali, and Universiti Sains Malaysia. The school comprised online introductory and fieldwork preparatory sessions on 13-14 June, and on-site meetings and fieldwork on Bali and Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, between 17-22 June! The theme this year focused on small island planning to enhance quality of life and happiness on islands. This year, the school was enriched with over 80 participants from all over the world and with diverse backgrounds!
The first online sessions included lectures on topics such as sustainable tourism, marine conservation, and quality of life and happiness on islands, held by our ISLANDS partners, Prof Dimitris Ballas Dimitris Ballas from the University of Groningen and director of ISLANDS ISLANDS MSc, Dr Frans Sijtsma from the University of Groningen and Director of the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development, Prof Thanasis Kizos from University of the Aegean, Prof Benjamin Hennig from University of Iceland, Dr Rodrigo Riera from University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as well as Dr Dewa Ayu Made Lily Dianasari from Politeknik Pariwisata Bali, and Dr Leela Rajamani and Dr Norlaila Binti Mohd Zanuri from University Sains Malaysia.
On our first day in Bali we visited the traditional village Penglipuran, where we learned about their approach to and philosophy of tourism management from the local representative. After lunch in Kintamani with a breathtaking view of Mount Batu, we travelled south to Melasti beach and experienced the traditional Kecak dance. This day provided an opportunity to gain real-world insights into the themes and topics introduced during the first two online lecture days. It also connected these themes to the Balinese philosophy of life, Tri Hita Karana, which emphasises harmony and balance between the spiritual world, people, and nature as the three sources of well-being and happiness.
After getting to know Bali, we headed to the smaller neighbouring island, Nusa Lembongan. Here, all participants worked in groups on a topic of their choice related to wellbeing, happiness, and planning. For three days, the groups conducted interviews, surveys, and observations on topics such as seaweed farming, waste management, information infrastructure, and the impact of tourism on local culture.
This has been a valuable opportunity for hands-on, first-hand insight and understanding of sustainable practices and the complexities of tourism. This hands-on experience provided invaluable first-hand insights into the challenges and opportunities on a small island with continuously growing tourism. By directly engaging with local communities and their unique contexts, participants bridged the gap between theory and practice. This immersive learning approach has undoubtedly enriched their perspectives on wellbeing, happiness, and planning in island settings!
On the last day, all groups presented their exciting fieldwork projects. This was followed by inspiring keynote sessions by Prof Sri Maryati from Institut Universitas Teknologi Bandung, Dr Manuel Florencio da Conossa Vong from Dili Institute of Technology, Prof Dimitris Ballas from University of Groningen – Faculty of Spatial Sciences and ISLANDS MSc, and Dr Luh Yusni Wiarti from Politeknik Pariwisata Bali. The day concluded with an award ceremony celebrating the best presentations, videos, pictures, and more! The evening ended with a farewell dinner, featuring a breathtaking sunset and a mesmerising Balinese dance performance.
We’ve gathered testimonials from participants who share their personal experiences and insights!
Hello, my name is Muhammad Ilmannafi. I am a third-year undergraduate student studying financial management at the University of Indonesia. Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Summer/Winter School held in Bali, focusing on small island planning and quality of life. Despite my studies not being directly related to the program, my passion for geography and a desire to explore island potential drew me in.
During the program, we were divided into groups, and my group’s research centered on the shrimp farming potential of Nusa Lembongan Island. This project allowed me to delve into the local economy and discover numerous untapped opportunities that required financial support, linking back to my field of study. The experience of researching and exploring the island was immensely enriching.
Beyond the academic insights, I also had the pleasure of learning about the local people, culture, and the stunning beauty of the island. This adventure wasn’t just educational but also deeply enjoyable, as I made new friends, some of whom have become very close to me.
Participating in this summer school has broadened my horizons, combining my interest in geography with my financial studies, and I look forward to joining similar programs in the future to further expand my knowledge and experience.
My name is Chiara, I am an Italian student currently attending the master’s degree Territory, Tourism and Local Development at Milano-Bicocca University.
I was introduced to the study of islands during my bachelor’s degree, when I carried out my internship and degree thesis by conducting field research about the sustainability of community-based tourism in the Republic of the Maldives.
During my current master’s degree studies, I have had the opportunity to further my studies on islands and in particular human geography and sustainability. Thus, the winter/summer school “Islands as Laboratories for Sustainability (ISLAs)”, presented itself as a great opportunity to increase my knowledge on the subject and to get to know new contexts such as the Indonesian and Balinese one. Indeed, island contexts around the world appear to be very diverse, and learning about new issues and challenges that characterise different contexts is always enriching.
In particular, the ISLAs school gave me the opportunity to work with people having different academic backgrounds and to understand the problems and challenges of the context from the point of view of the community, which is something very important that makes the experience truly enriching. Also, conversations and exchanges I have had with other participants were important insights and made me think about numerous opportunities we have and future collaborations that may arise, creating a network of young students with an interest on islands and hopefully future researchers in island studies.
Hi! My name is Faidah Mardika (Faidah), and I earned a master’s degree in public policy from the School of Government and Public Policy (SGPP Indonesia). Recently, I have been involved as a GEDSI Expert in the Indonesia Digital Ecosystem Assessment’s Archipelagic and Island State Forum (AIS Forum) for tourism and blue economy development in Indonesia. Apart from that, I work as a monitoring and evaluation consultant for various environmental programs specializing in issues of waste management, pollution, climate mitigation-adaptation, and promoting inclusive development.
Participating in this program is a pleasant experience. The program is able to equip us with various perspectives in studying small island and coastal community development trends. This was not only conveyed through the lecture sessions given. Discussions with lecturers and between participants during the program are also an important process since we come from different professional backgrounds with rich experiences. Opportunity to immerse ourself in reality of island community’s life by conducting a research complementing the learning process. We can learn from each other about the complexity of the problems, challenges and potential of the island and its community.
How this program combines economic, tourism, environmental, sustainability as well as social and psychological aspects of the community has provided insights that have made us re-think the current state and how the future direction of small island and coastal development should be carried out. This learning output is essential to be utilized in working with the community.
Warm greetings to all! My name is Naimah Putri Kamila, but people call me Mila. Being part of the organizing committee for the Winter School 2024 was an incredible experience. As a member of the School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development (SAPPD) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), I was entrusted with the responsibility of preparing and conducting the program, with a particular focus on design and academic aspects.
For approximately seven days, I assisted participants and lecturers at the Winter School (it is currently winter in Indonesia). I am very grateful for the chance to learn so much about small island planning, which is very important in today’s world. I was also delighted to meet and learn from inspiring individuals from all over the world. This exchange of ideas not only expanded my professional network but also deepened my appreciation for diverse perspectives in urban planning. The collaborative spirit and enthusiasm of everyone involved made the Winter School a truly memorable and rewarding experience.
My involvement in the Winter School 2024 was a profound learning journey that significantly enhanced my academic and professional growth. I am excited to apply the insights I gained to future projects and contribute to the field of urban planning and design.
And finally a travel diary entry from our ISLAND student, Luthfi, sharing his experiences.
Hi! My name is Luthfi Muhamad Iqbal, and I am a recently graduated ISLANDS students. From Monday, June 17, 2024, to Sunday, June 23, 2024, I participated in the ISLAs Summer School in Bali. During the first part of the program, we visited Panglipuran Traditional Village and had lunch overlooking the Batur Caldera, a UNESCO Global Geopark. We learned about the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining harmonious relationships with spirituality (Parahyangan), humanity (Pawongan), and nature (Palemahan) for sustainability and quality of life.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed a sunset at Melasti Beach. The next day, we traveled to Nusa Lembongan, a smaller island southeast of Bali, connected to Nusa Ceningan by a yellow bridge. We conducted a three-day fieldwork project exploring the islands and interviewing 10 locals, including a paddlewoman, seaweed farmer, tourist taxi driver, and other profession as well. Their stories, especially about the hardships faced during COVID-19 and the difficulties with fossil fuel dependence, were deeply touching.
Our group, consisting of two students from Universiti Sains Malaysia, one from ITB (originally from Timor Leste), and myself from RUG, was mentored by Dr. Shida from USM. She introduced us to Doxey’s Irritation Index (Irridex), which was new to me. We spatialized our qualitative data into a map of irritation for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, presenting our findings on the final day, Saturday, June 22, 2024. Our presentation, titled “Happiness Oriented Planning Efforts (HOPE) for Sustainable Small Island Tourism: The Case of Nusa Lembongan,” won the award for best presentation. Inspired by the local saying “Astungkara,” meaning “God willing,” our work reflected the islanders’ hope for a better future.
Researching on, for, and with island communities offers a unique and enriching perspective that resonates with my experiences at the ISLAs Summer School in Bali. We engaged in a holistic method that expanded our understanding and empowered islanders by addressing their specific needs and aspirations. As researchers, we must avoid positioning ourselves as outsiders who presume to know what is best. Instead, we should approach our work with humility, listen actively, and amplify the voices of the islanders. This mindset fosters genuine collaboration and trust, leading to meaningful and sustainable outcomes. My time in Bali taught me that true research is a dialogue, not a monologue. It’s about learning from the community and co-creating solutions that honor their heritage and vision for the future. This experience enriched my professional skills and deepened my appreciation for the power of collaborative and contextual island research.
If you want to see more pictures, videos, and participant testimonials head to the instagram profile @winterschool.sappkitb by Institut Teknologi Bandung.
This year’s ISLAs marked a significant milestone as our first summer school held outside Europe. We highly value this opportunity to expand our view and collaborations, and are happy to have given participants an immersive and hands-on learning experience that will leave lasting impressions. We plan to sustain the connections we’ve built and look forward to future collaborations.
We also recommend you to stay updated on the Small Island Planning Winter School organised by Institut Teknologi Bandung by following their instagram profile @winterschool.sappkitb, and stay tuned for their next Winter School!
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing co-organisers and collaborators. We also want to express our gratitude to the amazing group of participants from all over the world who made this summer school unforgettable!
Stay tuned for ISLAs 2025, which will take place on another island somewhere else in the world! We are excited to share the details soon, so follow us and keep an eye on the ISLANDS website https://islandsmaster.eu, social media platforms, and our summer school website www.rug.nl/education/summer-winter-schools/islands-and-sustainability.