180DC Indonesia Summit: Connecting to Create Greater Impact

4 minute read

On May 2nd, 2024, 180DC branches across Indonesia held an inaugural meeting at Cascade Kofy, Senen, Jakarta, an opportunity for all branches in Indonesia to connect. As a result, collaboration was fostered among geographically dispersed locations, sparking knowledge exchange and cultivating a unified 180DC identity.

Representatives from several universities attended the event, including Universitas Brawijaya, Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and the host, Universitas Indonesia (UI). This event marked the first offline gathering of 180DC branches in Indonesia since their formation, allowing various branches to meet each other and the Global Leadership Team (GLT).

The event kicked off with an opening address by Abhishek Jain (Senior Global Programs Lead, GLT) who emphasized the importance of such gatherings for the organization’s growth.

Following the opening, each branch had the opportunity to introduce themselves. The presidents of each branch presented their organizational structure, the clients they have worked with, their progress, and best practices. For instance, UI has been running projects with P&G, Suite Media, 5P, and Spora EV. IPB has collaborated with Oke Garden and Kopi dari Hati. Meanwhile, ITB is in the process of founding a 180DC branch on their campus. These presentations highlighted the diverse approaches and successes of each branch, fostering a sense of shared purpose and inspiration.

After the introductions, everyone mingled during the networking and dinner session, allowing participants to socialize and get to know each other more, building stronger connections. This session was instrumental in creating a warm and collaborative atmosphere for the rest of the event.

The next session featured a presentation by Veronika Xaveria (Global Growth Lead, GLT). Veronika detailed the growth of 180DC in Indonesia, highlighting that the “journey is far from over yet with many regions to be penetrated to create more impact.”

One of the most engaging moments of the summit was a talk show with alumni who shared how volunteering at 180DC had impacted their careers. Speakers included Anissya Isabelle Viary (Management Consultant, BCG), Yudhi Permadi (Banking Manager, HSBC), Christian Budiman (Assistant Digital Excellence Manager, Unilever) and Fakhri Ihsan Nalendro (Digital Sales Specialist, IBM). Volunteering at 180DC, the speakers noted, helped them develop crucial skills such as problem-solving, project management, and teamwork. Emphasizing the importance of the connections they made, they highlighted how these relationships opened doors to various career opportunities. Working on real projects with clients gave them practical experience which boosted their confidence in their abilities to tackle challenging tasks and lead projects. These insights motivated current members and offered a clearer understanding of how 180DC can be a powerful launchpad for their careers.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Chris Garner (Chief Executive Officer, 180DC), via Zoom. He reiterated the importance of summits like these and the potential for future growth and impact, stating, “Events like this give us a chance to connect, share ideas, and build strong relationships. I express my strong support, as well as that of the entire GLT, for the initiatives of our Indonesian branches. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and drive meaningful change.” Ratna Puspa Amelia, President of 180DC Universitas Indonesia, expressed her gratitude to all participants and organizers of the event. The gathering ended with a group photo, capturing the spirit of unity and collaboration that defined the event.

This inaugural 180DC Indonesia Summit was a resounding success, demonstrating the power of human connection and collaboration in driving social impact. As the participants left, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to apply their learnings and make a difference in their respective fields across Indonesia.