UPNVJ Public Relations – A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) by the “Veteran” National Development University Jakarta (UPNVJ) and the Indonesian National Defense Movement (GBNI) produced a number of strategic directions to strengthen the actualization of national defense values within the community. The forum, which took place at the UPNVJ Pondok Labu Campus, South Jakarta, Saturday (8/15/2026), formulated four main focuses, namely strengthening national defense values across sectors, implementation through a non-military approach and character building, developing National Defense Actualization (ABN), and empowering communities in rural areas and areas in need of strengthening.
The FGD was part of the GBNI Central Executive Board Inauguration and National Working Conference (Mukernas). The discussion brought together GBNI administrators, academics, and managers of Compulsory Curriculum Courses (MKWK) to discuss more concrete, contextual, and impactful implementation of national defense.
One of the key points raised was the need to strengthen the instillation of national defense values through cross-sector collaboration. The forum assessed that this effort cannot be carried out by a single institution alone but requires the involvement of universities, the government, community organizations, schools, Islamic boarding schools, and various other stakeholders.
Non-military approaches were also a focus of discussion. National defense focused on strengthening character, discipline, ethics, social responsibility, and the ability to face the challenges of community life.
ABN UPNVJ Becomes One of the Practices Discussed
In the FGD, Dr. Azwar shared UPNVJ's experience with the National Defense Actualization (ABN) program. This program is one way to implement national defense values, developed so that students not only understand the concept of nationality but also apply it in activities relevant to community life.
This practice strengthens UPNVJ's position as a National Defense Campus that integrates national values into student learning and character development.
Strengthening actualization is also carried out through learning Compulsory Curriculum Subjects (MKWK).
Aniek Irawati explained that in terms of learning substance, MKWK is directed toward producing projects linked to the implementation of national defense values. These projects can be developed through collaborations that impact both students and the community.
Learning methods can also utilize technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support the learning process and community empowerment in a relevant and responsible manner.
Through a project-based approach, students are encouraged not only to master academic material, but also to identify problems, collaborate, build social awareness, and produce solutions that can be implemented in society.
Villages Become One of the Targets for Actualization
The FGD also placed rural areas and areas that need strengthening as one of the important targets for actualizing national defense.
Strengthening in this area is not only directed at character aspects, but can also touch on economic, social, health, and community life sectors. This approach aims to ensure that the values of national defense are present through concrete contributions to community needs.
The forum also discussed the importance of incorporating local wisdom into every program. It was assessed that national defense approaches in one region need not be identical to those in other regions, but can be adapted to the social, cultural, and needs of the local community.
Direct Programs to Schools and Community Organizations
In addition to producing a substantive focus, the FGD also formulated a number of follow-up targets for GBNI.
One of them is strengthening the presence of organizations in various provinces by prioritizing the National Defense Actualization program which can target schools, community organizations, Islamic boarding schools, and village communities.
Program implementation is directed through cross-sectoral collaboration with government and non-government elements.
In his work program presentation, Dr. Kukuh explained that a number of forms of actualization of national defense had been carried out, including discipline development for state civil servants (ASN), national defense education for elementary school students, and development activities for students at Islamic boarding schools.
Other programs include training for those who memorize the Qur'an or hafiz who are prepared to contribute to society, Marching Regulation (PBB) activities, the formation of etiquette, and ethics in the use of social media.
These practices became the subject of discussion to see models that could be further collaborated with UPNVJ.
Encouraging Follow-Up of the UPNVJ–GBNI Collaboration
The FGD also resulted in encouragement for the discussion not to stop at the forum, but to continue in the form of a follow-up plan.
One proposal is to strengthen cooperation between UPNVJ and GBNI in community empowerment activities, including the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with more inclusive targets, including groups with special needs.
Furthermore, utilizing digital media is considered crucial for expanding the reach of national defense education. Aniek proposed that digital communication channels, particularly Instagram, be optimized to convey national defense messages in a format that is more accessible to the younger generation.
The FGD results confirmed that actualizing national defense requires a multidimensional approach. Character education, community empowerment, technology utilization, local wisdom, and cross-sector collaboration are interrelated components.
For UPNVJ, the forum strengthens the National Defense Campus' commitment to presenting national values in a form that is applicable and relevant to the needs of society.