[28 August 2024] The Province of Maluku, with more than 1,340 islands and 93 percent of its territory consisting of ocean, faces significant development challenges—particularly when confronted with social and environmental issues linked to climate change. To respond to these challenges, MADANI Berkelanjutan invited young people in Maluku to take an active role through the School of Development, held on 23–24 August 2024 in Ambon City. Through this initiative, MADANI Berkelanjutan hopes that Maluku’s youth will gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development concepts and the impacts of the climate crisis, enabling them to actively participate in development processes.
Nadia Hadad, Executive Director of MADANI Berkelanjutan, emphasized the critical role of young people in maintaining a balance between development and environmental protection.
“The climate crisis has a severe impact on archipelagic countries like Indonesia, especially Maluku Province, which is home to many small islands. Rising sea levels greatly affect the lives, culture, and livelihoods of Maluku communities who largely live along the coastline. If the current exploitative development model is not changed, the impacts will become even more severe in the years ahead. This is why young people play a vital role in ensuring that development does not harm the environment and that climate justice is achieved,” Nadia stated.
Resni Soviyana, Lead of the Green Development Program at MADANI Berkelanjutan, explained that the organization focuses on strengthening collaboration among stakeholders in addressing the climate crisis.
“Through the School of Development, we hope to build collaboration between young people, government institutions, and other stakeholders. This program can serve as a platform for Maluku’s youth to become more critical, environmentally conscious, and capable of acting as agents of change,” Resni Soviyana explained.
She also expressed hope that participants would remain committed and enthusiastic in following the entire year-long School of Development program, conducted both online and offline, featuring speakers from various sectors, including academics, practitioners, and government representatives.
The event was attended by 17 participants from various regions across Maluku Province and was officially opened by Dr. Anton A. Lailossa, S.T., M.Si., Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of Maluku Province. He also delivered a keynote speech on sustainable development and public participation in development planning in Maluku.
Other speakers included Prof. Dr. Ir. Agustinus Kastanya, M.S., Professor of Forest Resource Planning and Economics at Pattimura University, and Costavina (Vonny) Litamahuputty, a senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Arikamedia.
Sustainable development in Maluku Province requires strong support from young people as the next generation of leaders. This role is already reflected in the regional government’s long-term development plans, where youth are identified as one of the key development targets. However, broad support from all stakeholders is still needed, as implementing development in a region highly vulnerable to climate change impacts is a long-term effort that requires continuity.
“The role of young people must continue to be strengthened and expanded in every development process to foster awareness of the importance of environmental issues. Each of us has a responsibility to protect environmental sustainability, as it represents the right to life of future generations—rights that we are only borrowing today,” Resni concluded.
Media Contact:
Luluk Uliyah
Media & Engagement Coordinator, MADANI Berkelanjutan
Email: luluk@madaniberkelanjutan.id
