BINUS University’s International Students Champion Anti-Bullying Awareness Among Local Youth
Jakarta, 27 March– For many children, bullying is not a rare occurrence, but it’s part of their everyday reality. It can influence how they see themselves, how they connect with others, and how safe they feel. According to UNESCO, approximately 32% of students worldwide experienced bullying in 2019, with verbal and social forms being the most frequent. Bullying at school garnered nationwide attention in Indonesian media coverage. This reminds us that addressing bullying is not just about recognizing the issue, but about fostering empathy from an early age and supporting children to respond with confidence.
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Turning this concern into action, sixteen BINUS University’s international students, coming from diverse backgrounds and pursuing degrees in Computer Science, International Business, Business Management & Marketing, and Creative Digital Communication, have come together with a shared commitment to addressing this issue. These recipients of BINUS World-Class Scholarship (BWCS) program carried out the Ambassadorship Project in collaboration with BINUS volunteers, directly engaging with local communities to create social impact aligned with our commitment to empowering society through education.
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Working in four groups, the students collaborated with Read Aloud Srengseng, Rumah Hati Suci, Yayasan Al-Kahfi (West Jakarta), ISCO Foundation, and the BINUS Peacemaker Group. Each group delivered the Anti-Bullying campaign in its own way, aiming to raise awareness among children aged 7–17 while building empathy from an early age
“This program provides a chance for our scholarship students to give back to the community and share their experiences and expertise as part of BINUS University. In groups, they work on community development projects to make a difference while developing their capabilities and learning from one another. This is in line with BINUS’ aspiration to build Indonesia through education. We hope this program inspires our students to keep making a difference, broaden their perspectives, and reflect BINUS University’s values of excellence and social responsibility,” said Seruni Devitoyani, the Section Head for Inbound students at BINUS University.
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
With diverse approaches and shared purpose, each group delivered the campaign in ways that resonated with the children they engaged. So, what made each student group’s Anti-Bullying Campaign truly stand out within the communities they worked with?
Brave Heart Initiative
Huykea Sun and Dalen En from Cambodia, together with Beyounce L.A. Guingab and Louise A. A. Velasco from the Philippines, initiated the Brave Heart Initiative to support children in understanding bullying, on how to recognize it, respond to it, and build the courage to stand against it.
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Rather than focusing solely on awareness, the initiative aimed to cultivate empathy, confidence, and mutual respect from an early age. Engaging 40 children aged 7–12 from the Read Aloud Srengseng community, the program combined storytelling, interactive games, and physical demonstrations to create an engaging and meaningful learning experience.
“The children were very enthusiastic throughout the workshop. They began to understand how to treat their friends kindly and had the courage to speak up when bullying occurred,” shared Nicole Andrea Husein, our Graphic Design and New Media student who participated as a volunteer in this project, reflecting the positive response from the community.
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
For Dalen, the experience not only reflected the purpose of the initiative but also deepened her understanding of meaningful community engagement:
“After taking part in several ambassadorship projects with different communities, I found myself feeling a real sense of warmth and fulfillment. Part of the reason I feel this way is that these projects required us to work closely with the community, such as engaging in conversations, listening to their stories, and trying to make small but meaningful actions that could create positive change. Beyond teaching, raising awareness, and sharing practical ways to address certain issues, these experiences also helped me grow as a person.”
This initiative not only reflects how empathy, when nurtured early, can empower children to respond with courage and create more supportive environments for one another, but also gives our students a meaningful sense of fulfillment and brings them closer to the communities they work with.
Kindness Crew – Friendship Program
Kindness Crew‘s Friendship Program, brought to life by Diana I. Guingab and James Tangalin from the Philippines, Bunleap Sorn from Cambodia, and Manjakamanana M. Jean from Madagascar, highlights the importance of appreciating differences and building healthy social relationships from an early age. 
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“I realize how important it is to teach kids early about things that they should be aware of as they grow up. Our topic is about bullying, and instead of choosing high school or college, where bullying is more common, we chose younger children because we believe teaching them earlier can help prevent it in the future,” expressed Diana.
Working closely with ISCO Foundation, the team and volunteers delivered interactive sessions for children aged 7 to 9 at the Rumah Hati Suci community. The sessions introduced different forms of bullying and helped children understand the emotional impact of such behaviors. The children were also encouraged to express themselves by sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in an open and supportive environment. 
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“Through simple activities such as games and discussions, children can understand that kindness and tolerance are very important values in everyday life,” added Syarafina Athiraah, another volunteer studying Digital Business at BINUS @Senayan.
By introducing these ideas early, the program helps children build a foundation of empathy and respect that continues to shape how they relate to others as they grow.
Work Toward a Peaceful Future Initiative
The prevalence of bullying among children became a strong motivation for Viriya Savoeun from Cambodia, Abas H.Iman, Najma A. Mohamed, and Hamse H. Ahmed from Somalia to take action. They aimed to help children understand how to resolve conflicts peacefully while building greater awareness of bullying. Their initiative, Work Toward a Peaceful Future, was shaped by the values of peace, empathy, and mutual understanding. 
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“We want to create a safe space for children to speak and express their feelings. When they feel heard, it becomes easier for them to learn about empathy and peace,” said Abas in explaining the intention behind the program.
In collaboration with Yayasan Al-Kahfi West Jakarta Branch, the initiative reached children aged 7 to 12 by introducing practical ways to handle conflict through empathetic and healthy communication.
“Seeing the children confidently share their stories and express their feelings through drawings was a very meaningful moment for us,” expressed one of the caretakers at Yayasan Al-Kahfi. 
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Through guided discussions and creative activities, the children were given space to express themselves, allowing them to better understand their emotions while building confidence in communicating with others. In these moments, children begin to see that expressing themselves is not something to be afraid of, but a step toward understanding others and building more positive relationships.
Stop Bullying and Celebrate Differences
Abdiqani Abdiqaadir Jibril from Somalia, Lorenz A. S. Martinez and Clark Gregorio from the Philippines, and Ahmed M. Ibrahim from Sudan worked in collaboration with the BINUS Peacemaker Group to deliver the Stop Bullying and Celebrate Differences campaign to children aged 7 to 9 in the ISCO Foundation community. This community engagement activity was designed to raise awareness about bullying while introducing values such as empathy, cooperation, and tolerance.
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
To make the sessions engaging, the team incorporated storytelling, games, and art. One of the team members explained that these creative approaches helped children understand friendship in ways that were both enjoyable and easy to remember.
“Seeing the children confidently take part in roleplay and speak about how to face bullying was a very meaningful experience for us as volunteers,” shared William Ekapanna Rusmana.
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
One of the most engaging activities was the Roleplay Game Be a Kind Hero, where children participated in simulations to respond to bullying situations. Through this activity, they were introduced to three important steps, beginning with Stop, which encourages them to put an end to negative behavior, followed by Speak, where they learn to express that the behavior is wrong, and Seek Help, which teaches them to reach out to trusted adults for support.
These activities created a space where children felt comfortable to learn, express themselves, and gradually build the confidence to apply these values beyond the activity.
What This Experience Taught Us
By engaging directly with local communities and BINUS student volunteers, our international students gain deeper insights into real community issues while getting to know the individuals and stories within them. 
(Photo Credit: Marcelino L.F. Yappy/Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“Working on the Ambassadorship Project, from the preparation process to the event day, always brings new experiences to me. Despite not being able to understand Bahasa Indonesia, I would always feel a connection with the audience. Seeing how effectively and actively they were during each of the projects makes me feel fascinated and encourages me to do more. Overall, working on these projects always makes me feel like I am contributing to solving the global issues. Everyone should be contributing to making this planet a better place and safer for everyone,” shared Huykea Sun, our Business Management & Marketing student, reflecting on his three-year journey at BINUS University.
Through this process, they build global networks and develop hands-on problem-solving skills through real experiences, while deepening their commitment to empowering communities.
Author: Mita Adhisti
Editor: Aninda Rahmasari
