In order to demonstrate support for West Papua Province, which is hosting a number of G20 side events related to youth (Y20) and gender (W20), the University of Papua, in conjunction with FORCLIME, organised a recent talk show and exhibition in Manokwari, West Papua. The theme of the Y20 talk show was, “Supporting Papua's Green Future”, while the theme of the W20 talk show was, “Women in Sustainable Forest Management in Tanah Papua”. The two events were held on May 20 - 21, 2022, in the Arboretum of the University of Papua in Manokwari, West Papua.
The Y20 Talkshow was divided into two sessions, the first of which addressed the topic of lessons learned and sharing learning in relation to the FORCLIME Internship Programme for students from universities in Tanah Papua as a means of learning how to apply knowledge, both knowledge gained on campus and learning about the world of work. This internship programme has been amended since 2019 and represents part of FORCLIME's efforts to support green development within Tanah Papua.
The speakers who were guests on the talk show comprised FORCLIME internship alumni who are currently working and active within the fields of research, educational forest development, forest programmes and climate change within Papua.
Around 384 people participated in the Y20 talk show and primarily comprised students from universities in West Papua Province, including the University of Papua, the College of Law, youth communities, youth organizations, the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service and several Manokwari Regency Government offices.
Calvin Wambrauw, an alumnus of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Papua, who is also an alumnus of the FORCLIME 2020 Internship Programme and who is currently working for an NGO in Biak, revealed that he had learned much during his internship with FORCLIME, including knowledge that he has been able to apply during his leading of a work team in his current job.
“Not only did I gain knowledge but my internship with FORCLIME also allowed me the opportunity to experience firsthand what the real world of work is like. For example, I had the opportunity to participate in an internal meeting that addressed the preparation of the FORCLIME Annual Workplan in Sentul, Bogor,” enthused Desi Barangkea, an alumnus of the 2021 FORCLIME Internship Programme from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Papua. According to Desi, this was the first time that she had been involved in the preparation of important documents and she had been allowed to fully immerse herself in the process regardless of her internship status while enjoying the same opportunities as FORCLIME staff, both in terms of being able to voice her opinions and provide input and suggestions. As a bonus, Desi was also happy to have had the opportunity to be able to set foot in the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, for the first time. Desi added that she had not previously prioritized the learning of English but that participation in the internship programme had encouraged her to seek to master English so that she will be able to compete in the world of work that she experienced during her internship at FORCLIME.
The second session of the Y20 Talkshow explored the topic of Inspirational Youth in West Papua Province and featured young people who had worked in and contributed to the community in West Papua. Appearing during this session were a number of Inspirational Young Papuans, Church Youth and Students from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Papua, as well as the Reading Community of West Papua Province. During this second session, these participants spoke about developing inspiring Young Papuans, the contribution of the Church Youth in supporting youth education and the spirit of sharing and education within Papua.
The W20 talk show explored topics of Bureaucracy and the Role of Women; as well as the Role of Women in Forest Utilization at the Site Level. During this session, three women took part as resource personnel, specifically representatives from the planning agency (Bappeda) of West Papua Province, who offered insights into gender-responsive planning and budgeting within West Papua. Meanwhile, a representative from the Office of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection for West Papua Province discussed programmes that are supporting women's empowerment through education within West Papua Province. In addition, a representative from the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service shared experiences relating to the role of women in sustainable forest management.
Around 320 people participated in the W20 talk show and were representing women's organizations and communities in West Papua Province, students, the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service, the West Papua Province Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service and several Manokwari Regency Government offices.
The Dean of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Papua, Dr. Jonni Marwa, S.Hut., M.Sc., who was acting as the host of the Y20 and W20 talk show, expressed his gratitude to GIZ for providing the opportunity for Forestry Faculty students to complete internships with FORCLIME. Dr. Marwa also expressed his hope that this activity would not only offer knowledge and experience for apprentices but also support community service as one of the Three Obligations of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi).
Meanwhile, a representative from the Forestry Service of West Papua Province also spoke at the W20 talk show and affirmed the vital role of women within the realm of forest management, stressing that it is primarily women who work to collect forest products in order to meet the needs of their families and that it is also women who will produce a younger generation who care about nature. The representative went on to express his hope that the discussion would generate positive results that can be included in recommendations that will be presented before the G20 meeting in Bali in October 2022. During the same session, a speaker from the Traditional Women's Leader of Kampung Bikar, Mama Yusmina Yekwam, explained that the women of Bikar Village understood the importance of protecting the forest. “We only take forest products in order to fulfill our daily needs and plant trees on lands that need them,” stated Mama Yusmina Yekwam. In this regard, the women of Bikar village understand this principle of conservation very well, as they are on the front line in terms of protecting the forest.
During the two-day event, an exhibition that involved youth and women's groups from West Papua was also organized and included displays of non-timber forest products produced by SMEs and West Papuan women.
For more information, please contact:
Nita Yohana, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for West Papua Province
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces
