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HISTORY OF
ALSA LC UGM
Where it All Started
Academically committed, socially responsible, internationally minded, and legally skilled. These four pillars have been the very foundation on which members of the Asian Law Students’ Association, famously known as ALSA, thrive to this present day. Since its inception, ALSA has grown from a small student-initiated organization established in the ASEAN region to a prestigious legal entity that has attracted thousands of law school students all over Asia to learn, connect, and bond with each other.
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​ ALSA was first established on 18 May 1989 by a group of law students from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand under the name of “ASEAN Law Students’ Association'' during the ASEAN Law Students’ Conference in Jakarta. The establishment received support from the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Law Association, Asia Foundation, and even the governments of ASEAN states. Furthermore, on 7th of September 2002, ASEAN Law Students’ Association officially affiliated themselves with “The International Law Students’ Association of Peking University” (ILSA PKU), “International Department of Legal Aid Association of Peking University”, “Law Association Hong Kong University Students’ Union of the University of Hong Kong” (HKUSU), “Asian Law Students’ Association Japan” (ALSA Japan), “Asian Law Students’ Association Korea” (ALSA Korea) and “Asian Law Students’ Association Taiwan” (ALSA Taiwan).
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​ In the next decade, ALSA would merge with other law student organizations from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and China, leading to the establishment of “Asian Law Students’ Association” through the ratification of the Tokyo Agreement. The original members, along with newcomers Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, Macau, Brunei Darussalam, and Myanmar, constitute the currently existing 16 national chapters of ALSA.
Early Beginnings in Yogyakarta
The history of ALSA Local Chapter Universitas Gadjah Mada (ALSA LC UGM) traces back to 1989. According to Anas Luthfi, one of the founding figures of ALSA, the chapter had initially been established at that time but unfortunately did not thrive. However, thanks to persistent advocacy efforts, ALSA LC UGM regained recognition and momentum. Then, a pivotal moment came in 1993, when Novi Kooswardani Brotodiningrat, the chairperson of the National Board of ALSA Indonesia, spearheaded efforts to formally re-establish ALSA LC UGM during the 5th ALSA Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Upon her return to Yogyakarta, she proactively approached the Faculty of Law’s Student Executive Board (BEM (Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa)) and the student senate to initiate the official establishment of the chapter. Novi then collaborated with Afie Henry, renowned for her strong English proficiency, to lay the groundwork for ALSA LC UGM. Recruitment of members soon followed, with significant support from FH UGM’s English Club, recognizing the importance of English as a core skill in ALSA. Several key individuals were also instrumental in the founding process, including Joni Getamala, Boy Gemino, Mona, Dida, Rico Sidharta, Trifin, and Erlangga Gaffar.
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On 20 October 1993, ALSA LC UGM was officially established, with Joni Getamala appointed as its first director. This formation was also a strategic step in preparation for the upcoming ALSA Conference in Jakarta in 1994. Significantly, this milestone was marked by ALSA LC UGM’s hosting of the 1st ALSA National Meeting, a three-day, two-night event attended by representatives from 6 (six) local chapters. One of the most important outcomes of this meeting was the initial drafting and ratification of the Bylaws of ALSA Indonesia, which laid the legal and organizational foundation for the national structure of ALSA.​
The early years of ALSA LC UGM were filled with both promise and challenges. With the first board of directors nearing graduation, their tenure was short-lived. Moreover, the chapter faced internal skepticism and external criticism, particularly accusations of elitism and exclusivity. As a result, the chapter struggled to organize major events and was not formally acknowledged as a member of ALSA Indonesia. Notably, ALSA LC UGM was not invited to the 1994 National Conference at Universitas Airlangga, a point later discovered by alumni Erlangga Gaffar. Nevertheless, support emerged from within the institution. Mahendra Adinegara, then Chairman of the Faculty of Law Senate, championed the values that ALSA brought: bilingual communication, regional networking, and professional development. His advocacy was crucial. In 1998, ALSA LC UGM regained official recognition as a member of ALSA Indonesia and was acknowledged as a student organization under the Faculty of Law at UGM, with Hariyanto Yang appointed as director.
ALSA LC UGM Through the Years
In the aftermath of the organization’s second recognition in 1998, ALSA LC UGM began growing steadily. Despite several minor setbacks, the organization was soon recognized as a force to be reckoned with within the Faculty of Law community. The struggles endured in the early years were soon buried by the rapid development that culminated during the Faculty of Law’s General Assembly on 20 December 2008, where the persistent work of Alexander Honsus and his board received their fruit of labour, as ALSA obtained the status of a semi-autonomous institution (Lembaga Semi Otonom). From that point, the future began to glow for the organization, this is shown by the popularity of ALSA LC UGM that skyrocketed amongst law students in UGM, evident from the 143 (one hundred forty three) newly accepted members after the Organizing, Leadership and Management event (also known as the ALSA members initiation, OLMA).​
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However, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, ALSA LC UGM had to rapidly adapt to the swift change and unexpected environmental shifts, including alterations in policies and work methods. This development demanded innovation in products and processes to meet the new challenges that arose during the pandemic, such as transforming formerly offline work programs into online formats. During that time, Gaudi Averdi, serving as the Director of ALSA LC UGM, needed to demonstrate adaptive leadership that could respond promptly to unforeseen changes.
Directors
Novi Brotodiningrat did not structurally officiate in ALSA LC UGM, however as one of the initial founding fathers, she contributed in the establishment of ALSA whilst embedding the duty of being a Vice President and Chairperson of the National Board of ALSA Indonesia. Following the footsteps of Novi Brotodiningrat, several ALSA-ians have dedicated their time and wellbeing to lead the local chapter to a brighter future. The following are names who greatly contributed to the development of ALSA LC UGM:
Achievements
There is no doubt that the 32 years old ALSA LC UGM has produced a plethora of achievements, both academically and extracurricularly. From its rich, yet humble start, history, members of the ​​UGM Local Chapter had participated in various seminars, competitions, conferences and other events. Despite the initial struggles, members showed perseverance and patience in learning not just how to lead and develop the organization, but also achieving remarkable feats against other universities whilst enhancing their networking skills. Along with the assistance from UGM’s lecturers, ALSA LC UGM also received sponsorships from corporations through hosting different events and competitions.
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Some of ALSA LC UGM’s remarkable feats can be demonstrated by the delegates’ achievements during the National Moot Court Competition (NMCC), and other avenues such as the Dean’s Cup Internal Moot Court Competition (PDFH), the Model United Nations (MUN), Contract Drafting, Debate Competitions, Mediation Competitions, English Competitions and many more. For the prestigious ALSA National Moot Court Competition, ALSA LC UGM has brought home many titles, such as the 2019 ALSA NMCC held in Universitas Jenderal Soedirman Purwokerto, in which the delegates managed to bring home three awards: First place, best memorials, and best judge.
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With the team’s triumphant victory in the 2020 NMCC, ALSA LC UGM by far had won 6 ALSA NMCC titles, the most ever in the history of the competition since the renewal of the name ‘Piala Mahkamah Agung’. The details are as follows:
DOCUMENTATIONS
ALSA LC UGM became one of the Local Chapters who participated in the first ALSA Indonesia National Meeting which was held in November 1993, with one of the agenda being the formulation of Bylaws or is well-known as AD / ART of ALSA Indonesia. Furthermore, ALSA LC UGM was also host of the very first ALSA Indonesia National Meeting.
Finally, in May 1994 the 6th ALSC (ALSA Conference) was held in Jakarta in several places, at the ASEAN Secretariat Building, at the Supreme Court, at the Ministry of Environment and at the City Hall Office of the Governor of DKI. ALSA LC UGM was one of the participant among many other Local Chapters and National Chapters.
The 5th ALSA Conference in Malaysia was the forerunner to the establishment of ALSA LC UGM. Novi, as the only delegate from Faculty of Law UGM, was given the mandate to immediately establish a local chapter at UGM.
(From left to right: Novi, Trifin, Afie Henry, and Joni Getamala)
ALSA LC UGM became one of the Local Chapters who participated in the first ALSA Indonesia National Meeting which was held in November 1993, with one of the agenda being the formulation of Bylaws or is well-known as AD / ART of ALSA Indonesia.
Musyawarah Lokal in 2020 marks the first hybrid assembly, adapting to the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated a shift away from traditional face-to-face meetings.
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