Bali Beyond Borders 2024: Discovering Balinese Culture and Southeast Asian Business Practices
Denpasar, November 6, 2024 – The participants of Bali Beyond Borders gathered at the Social Lab of Undiknas University at 09:00 AM to delve deeper into the life of the Balinese people and business strategies in Southeast Asia. The first learning session was led by Ms. Prasiwi Bestari, who presented an intriguing topic: Lifestyle System and Social Organization in Bali. The participants had the opportunity to understand Balinese culture more profoundly, discussing various social aspects, customs, and values that shape the life of the Balinese people, such as the caste system, religious ceremonies, and the relationship between communities and nature. This discussion also covered the important role of family and tradition in maintaining social harmony in Bali, as well as how the Balinese people adapt their traditions to modern life without losing their cultural identity.
The next session was led by Ms. Ratih Nurmalasari, who presented on Southeast Asian Business Practices and Strategy. In this session, participants gained insights into business practices in Southeast Asia, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by companies in the region. Ms. Ratih discussed the importance of understanding local culture in business strategies, as well as how companies in Southeast Asia adapt to rapidly changing markets, including the impact of globalization and digitalization. Participants were encouraged to analyze successful case studies from companies that have successfully integrated business strategies with local values.
The learning sessions were followed by a company visit to two famous tourist destinations in Bali: Krisna Oleh-Oleh and ITDC (Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation). This visit gave participants a firsthand look at how the tourism business operates in Bali, as well as how marketing strategies and resource management are used to support the sustainability of the tourism industry. At Krisna Oleh-Oleh, participants saw how local SMEs develop unique Balinese products to meet the demands of tourists. Meanwhile, at ITDC, participants were introduced to the concept of sustainable tourism development, as well as the infrastructure that supports world-class tourist destinations in Bali. This activity provided a real-world perspective on how Balinese tourism interacts with local business practices and culture to create unique and engaging experiences for visitors from around the world.
The Bali Beyond Borders activities, which included learning sessions on Balinese culture, Southeast Asian business practices, and visits to Krisna Oleh-Oleh and ITDC, can be directly linked to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing in-depth education on local culture and economy, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting inclusive economic growth through the development of SMEs and sustainable tourism. Additionally, the program contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through an understanding of eco-friendly tourism management, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by emphasizing responsible production and consumption in the SME sector, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening partnerships between international participants, universities, and local businesses to achieve sustainable development.
