Catholic scholars set priorities on democracy, rights, AI, and ecology

The Indonesian Catholic Scholars Association (ISKA) established 10 strategic priorities during its 17th National Congress held from Sept. 11 to 13 in Balikpapan and the Nusantara Capital City. Delegates addressed challenges including democracy, economic inequality, artificial intelligence, technological transformation, and the ecological crisis.

Luky A. Yusgiantoro was re-elected by unanimous vote as chairman of the ISKA Central Presidium for the 2026–2030 term. Yusgiantoro previously led the organization from 2022 to 2026. He stated that while ISKA is not a political organization, it has a responsibility to prepare competent Catholic members to serve in various fields, including politics.

The congress opened with a Mass led by Archbishop Yustinus Hardjosusanto, MSF of Samarinda. Among the adopted priorities is the strengthening of Pancasila as a public ethic.