HumasUPNVJ - On Wednesday 3 February 2021, the Center for Citizenship and Human Rights Studies (CCHRS) held a Webinar Series on Citizenship and Human Rights with the theme "Freedom of Expression: Protection or Restriction, or Both?". The theme that was carried out in this activity was comparing Indonesia with countries around the world, and in this series CCHRS discussed Indonesia and Japan. CCHRS led by Dr. Sri Lestari Wahyuningroem is a research center under the auspices of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UPN Veteran Jakarta.

The activity was carried out through a Zoom Meeting which was attended by 80 (eighty) participants from Southeast Asia, East Asia and Europe, consisting of Lecturers, Students and the general public, and with Speaker Prof. Akihisa Matsuno from Osaka University. Prof. Akihisa specializes in conflict studies with a focus on democratic governance and human rights, and has written extensively on the conflicts in East Timor and Indonesia. Now, Prof. Akihisa has a new interest by expanding his studies to other areas in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

This event was opened by Deputy Dean III of FISIP UPN Veterans Jakarta, Dr. Asep Kamaluddin. In his remarks he also officially launched the Center for Citizenship and Human Rights Studies at UPN Veterans Jakarta FISIP. As the moderator in the activity, Dr. Sri Lestari Wahyuningroem explained briefly about this study center being established with a background to enrich discourse and studies on citizenship and human rights which are viewed broadly/globally and not only in the Indonesian context. the existence of this study center is none other than for development in research, and capacity on current issues.

Prof. Akihisa gave an explanation in the webinar by dividing his lecture into three parts, namely discussing important phenomena in the debate on freedom of expression. Second, regarding the general principles of freedom of expression, and third, conveying a summary in the presentation of the material.

In the political philosophy approach presented by Prof. Akihisa, that freedom of expression is a political order or institution, which is more a practical philosophy and with a spirit of pragmatism that guides Prof. Akihisa's thoughts in discussing freedom of expression. Based on this phenomenon presented by the Professor of International Politics at The Osaka School of International Public Policy, in his lecture he discussed freedom of expression (freedom to be protected and restricted), and the importance of tolerance.

The following is information on the Webinar Series on Citizenship and Human Rights Freedom of Expression: Protection or Restriction, or Both? (Comparing Indonesia and Japan) : https://youtu.be/lC9d61Jx50Q