Sebuah asosiasi profesi psikologi sosial, yakni Asian Association of Social Psychology, mengadakan pertemuan “Summer School” tahun lalu yang cukup unik. Disebutkan bahwa:

Although it was officially entitled as a ‘summer’ school, being held in the southern hemisphere meant that it was actually winter! The venue was the lovely (albeit chilly at the time) Kawaipurapura Retreat with the students residing dormitory style, and sessions taking place, in a traditional maraestyle room (see picture with Liz Jones leading the class).

The atmosphere of the school was lovely and lively, with critical and friendly collaborations and cross-fertilisation of ideas. Lovely vegetarian and vegan fare was served in accordance with the spiritual aims of the venue, and we even managed to give a surprise birthday cake to William Crano! A stimulating work, social and spiritual time was had by all participants.

Dalam kesempatan ini, saya berkolaborasi dengan rekan-rekan dari sejumlah negara, yakni Sukma Nurmala (Indonesia), Shuwei Liu dan Runan Ding (Zhejiang University, China), serta Wendy Li (James Cook University, Australia) dan Darrin Hodgetts (Massey University, New Zealand).

Kami melakukan penelitian payung dari Dr. Wendy Li, yakni “Fear of Ageing in Asia” dan memperoleh grant penelitian. Jumlahnya mungkin tidak banyak, tetapi menjadi penanda yang penting bagi kerja lintas bangsa yang diabdikan bagi masyarakat Asia.

Hasil penelitian ini akan kami sajikan dalam Pertemuan 13th Biennial Asian Association of Social Psychology di Taipei.