31.03.2025

IMADM: Observing Practice, Reflecting Theory

Welcome to North Java: Students and Teachers of the course are welcomed by GKJTU Church. Photo by: GKJTU

Tactile Paving from the start of a patient's journey:

Architecture can facilitate recovery. Photos below: Godwin Ampony, UEM

Studying Diaconic Management in all its international depth and diversity: That is the goal of the study course International Master of Arts in Diaconic Management (IMADM), offered by the United Evangelical Mission (UEM). This February, Course Six (K6) went to Indonesia for a presence phase in Salatiga, after a one-week field research programme in Yogyakarta. The students come from Indonesia, Namibia, Tanzania, the DR Congo, Rwanda and Cameroon. During their stay in Indonesia, they were hosted by local Diaconic institutions and UEM member church GKJTU*.

The field research phase commenced with participants arriving in Yogyakarta on 21 February 2025. They were hosted at the Disaster Oasis (DIOS), a centre known for its focus on disaster preparedness and resilience.

YAKUM: Making health accessible, with and without eyesight

The students visited, among others, the Rehabilitation Centre YAKUM (PRY), where they observed its medical and rehabilitative services. Rev Godwin Ampony, Head of International Diaconia at UEM, recalls a special example of diaconic service from YAKUM: “It is about the policy of inclusion which was adopted by the hospital and implemented. A disability pathway is created for the blind right from the main entrance of the hospital through to the Outpatients Department (OPD) with automated Machine accessibility for receiving a waiting code and highly trained staff who accompanies people with disability and the elderly persons to access healthcare treatment with little or no barriers. This is remarkable. The architecture of the hospital building, and the interior designs also contributes to the healing process of patients who visits the hospital. When hospitals and healthcare facilities are well designed, their architecture also contributes to the wellness and healing process.”

Lectures on Diaconic Theory

On 27 February, participants departed for Salatiga, where UKSW hosted the academic session. Before engaging in lectures, students had the opportunity to learn about diaconal ministry through field visits to projects run by Sion Foundation and GKJTU, including schools, mobile clinics, women’s empowerment initiatives, and transformative community development projects.

At UKSW, the academic programme was focusing on theological and management perspectives in diaconia. Lecturers from UKSW University, from Bielefeld IDWM Institute and from UEM are facilitating in-depth discussions on the intersection of faith, management, and social service, equipping students with a robust theoretical foundation to complement their field experiences.

*GKJTU = Gereja Kristen Jawa Tengah Utara (Christian Church of North Central Java)