EduAsiaNews, Jakarta — Ruben Binsar William Manurung, an undergraduate student in the International Relations Study Program at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), has earned international recognition by receiving the Most Outstanding Performance award during the United Nations Responsible Business and Human Rights (UNRBHR) program in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ruben was part of the UNDP Indonesia Youth Delegation at #NextGenBHR2026, which brought together around 80 young people from various countries across the Asia-Pacific region. The forum provided a platform for young people to exchange perspectives on responsible business practices and respect for human rights.
Ruben’s journey to the international forum began with his involvement in volunteer activities. In early 2026, he participated in a UNDP Volunteer Campaign focused on preserving the Citarum River. Through the community, Ruben learned about an opportunity to join the UNDP Indonesia Youth Delegation for the UNRBHR program in Bangkok.
“After joining the volunteer community, I had the opportunity to take part in the selection process for the UNDP Indonesia Youth Delegation for #NextGenBHR2026 at the UNRBHR event in Bangkok, Thailand,” Ruben said.
The initial selection stage required applicants to submit a motivation letter. In his letter, Ruben explained his interest in the issues addressed by the program and related them to his own experience and background.
The challenge increased after he passed the initial stage. Ruben was then asked to write an essay based on a series of questions designed to assess his understanding, interests and ability to connect his personal experiences with business and human rights issues.
“The most challenging part was writing the essay. I had to relate the program to the questions provided while also recalling my experiences that were relevant to the issues,” he said.
As an International Relations student, Ruben said his academic studies and the campus environment at UPNVJ had provided him with important preparation for participating in the forum. The knowledge he gained through his studies helped him understand global issues and respond to the case study presented during the program.
“Academic knowledge was very helpful because it made it easier for me to understand the status quo of the issues presented. The ambitious environment also encouraged me to improve my performance,” Ruben said.
At the forum, Ruben was assigned a topic on labor dynamics. Together with his team, he examined a case study involving a Malaysian palm oil company that could potentially face export restrictions in the United States and European Union due to concerns over labor practices and alleged violations of human rights principles in the industry.
Through the case study, participants were challenged to formulate solutions while considering business, regulatory and labor dimensions, as well as respect for human rights.
Ruben said the team’s ability to present its ideas in a clear and structured manner was one of the factors that contributed to his receiving the Most Outstanding Performance award.
“Our presentation was clear and easy for the panelists to understand. We also managed to answer all the questions within the allotted time. In addition, the substance and solutions we proposed were strong because they took regulations and legal considerations into account,” he said.
Beyond being a forum for exchanging and competing over ideas, the event also provided Ruben with a cross-cultural experience. He had the opportunity to engage in discussions with participants from Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Cambodia and other countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
Meeting young people from diverse backgrounds further strengthened his motivation to continue learning and broaden his horizons.
“Having similar interests made me realize that the desire to keep seeking knowledge is very valid. I became even more motivated to learn and pursue further studies, partly because I met them,” Ruben said.
One of the key lessons he took away from the forum was the importance of examining an issue from multiple perspectives. According to Ruben, this approach was in line with this year’s theme, “720 Degree.”
The theme encouraged participants not to view an issue from only one or two angles but to consider as many perspectives as possible, including those of external parties affected by the issue.
“Because we came from different backgrounds, the discussions were very enriching. When dealing with an issue, we were able to see perspectives that we might never have considered before. I gained a lot of new knowledge from that diversity,” he said.
Following the forum, Ruben hopes to share the experience and knowledge he gained with UPNVJ students, particularly International Relations students interested in business, human rights and international opportunities.
He also hopes that more UPNVJ students will have the confidence to pursue similar opportunities, allowing them to expand their networks while bringing the university’s name to the international stage.
For students who are still hesitant to try international programs, Ruben encouraged them not to wait until they feel completely ready.
“I was also initially unsure whether I would pass. As long as we are students, we should make use of every opportunity and facility available to us. If we do not dare to take new steps, we will never enter new fields or gain new experiences,” Ruben said.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
