Religious Leaders and Social Sustainability in Rural Communities in Indonesia

In rural community development, social sustainability becomes an important factor besides economic and environmental sustainability. This study aims to examine how the role of religious leaders in rural areas in maintaining social sustainability. This study was conducted in rural areas in Central Java, Indonesia with a participatory observation approach. the results of this study indicate that the religious leaders become an agent in maintaining social sustainability. The communication skills of religious leaders and leadership types play a role in maintaining social systems and are able to create public space in rural community development activities.