The development of village potentials in Tanah Papua and Maluku Islands is one of the focuses of the EcoNusa Foundation work program in 2021. Various initiatives made by communities at the local level will be developed and broadcast to the international community.
CEO of the EcoNusa Foundation Bustar Maitar said the development of the village’s potential was made based on the needs of the local community. According to him, this can help accelerate the management of the village’s potential in managing natural resources so that it has independence and resilience in supporting the economic activities of the village.
“The children of (Land) Papua and (Islands) Maluku have the potential and desire to move forward. We are trying to introduce initiatives carried out by the community to the national and even international levels. Everything really depends on the community. We don’t want to push for something that society doesn’t need, ”said Bustar in the EcoNusa Outlook 2021 which was held directly from Sorong, West Papua and virtually on Wednesday (17/2/2021).
Bustar realizes that 2021 is still shrouded in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he emphasized that the EcoNusa Foundation will remain passionate about running the program in order to achieve the vision of a sovereign community in managing natural resources in a just and sustainable manner.
“When other organizations are still implementing WFH (work from home), EcoNusa has to work in the field because that is our social responsibility. How can I work at home while the community is having difficulties in the village, ”said Bustar.
In the last three years, EcoNusa has organized Social Transformation Schools (STS) or Village Schools in 10 villages in Merauke, Papua Province, and 10 villages in South Halmahera, North Maluku Province. STS will also be implemented in Jayapura City and Kaimana Regency.
Throughout 2021, EcoNusa will implement programs in 5 regions in Papua, namely the bird’s head region, northern Papua, southern Papua, Maluku, and North Maluku. In February 2021, EcoNusa has held STS in Morekau Village, West Seram District, Maluku Province.
“This year we are targeting at least 50 villages from this area to attend the Social Transformation School. The training is a full 30 days. So the community is trained to commit. If you want to learn something, you have to endure it. This will also be integrated with the village head so that the village budget can be maximally utilized for positive things, not only infrastructure, “said Bustar.
In addition, regarding the youth capacity building program, EcoNusa organizes the School of Eco Diplomacy in the Banda and Kaimana Islands. EcoNusa challenges young people to explore creative ideas and innovations related to food security, health and education through the EcoNovation Award program.
To campaign for the protection of tropical rainforests in Papua Land and the Maluku Islands, EcoNusa collaborates with Cornell Lab of Ornithology, using cenderawasih as a symbol of forest sustainability. Then, forest protection diplomacy will also run through the art of gastronomy with the Papua Jungle Chef community.
EcoNusa Outlook 2021 was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Norway, Todung Mulya Lubis, Chairman of the Malaumkarta Young Generation Association, Torianus Malami, Coordinator of Lemongrass Planting in Mare District, Beyum Antonela Baru, and Director of Caritas, Merauke Archdiocese, Father Apolinaris Miller Senduk, and alumni School of Eco Diplomacy.
Editor: Leo Wahyudi & V. Arnila Wulandani
