Papua Island, a land blessed with abundant natural resources, is faced with the crucial task of preserving these assets through prudent and sustainable utilization. Regrettably, the paradise-like natural conditions in Papua are deteriorating due to the over-exploitation of resources that disregard the principles of sustainable development. To safeguard Papua’s nature, one crucial step is to nurture a generation that values and understands the significance of conserving the environment. Religious leaders can play a pivotal role as conduits for environmental education in this endeavor.
“Sunday school children are the next generation. It is important for us to nurture them with the preaching of the words of God, emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment, protecting nature in this Land of Papua,” said Pastor Ronal Tapilatu (18/9). This perspective prompted the Papua region of the Indonesian Churches Association (PGI) to initiate a Workshop and Training program for Sunday School Teachers focused on forest protection and nature conservation in Papua (17-21/2023). Supported by the EcoNusa Foundation, the training welcomed 20 participants from various locations across Papua Island.
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Religion holds a significant role in shaping various facets of human life and offering guidance toward collective well-being, which includes nature preservation. Raising an understanding of environmental preservation as a fundamental aspect of obedience to God is vital to be comprehended from an early stage.
Pastor Ronal explained that Sunday school teachers are at the forefront and play a vital role in fostering the spirituality of Christian children and youth, including instilling in them the values of care and conservation for the forests and nature in Papua. Therefore, capacity building for Sunday School teachers was chosen as the most appropriate approach. “Efforts to nurture and preserve the forest should be well understood by Sunday school teachers, what needs to be done, and how they interpret it as a divine mandate and command from God, and they should pass this understanding effectively to their Sunday school students,” he explained.
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In addition to receiving diverse knowledge on biodiversity and the significance of forest and nature preservation, participants were actively involved in collectively crafting work plans, action plans, and Sunday school curricula. These resources will be employed to promote messages of environmental care in all Sunday school activities within their respective church communities.
Cicilia Novalia Jambuani, one of the workshop participants, shared that this was the first time Sunday School teachers received training on the importance of incorporating environmental knowledge and content in the implementation of Sunday School. “Usually we get training on spirituality or teaching techniques, this is the first time we got training on the topic of the environment,” said Cicilia.
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Cicilia also believes that incorporating environmental concern and nature conservation into religious life is highly significant, as it aligns with living according to the teachings of God. She explains that human existence is intricately tied to the natural world, emphasizing that nurturing environmental awareness and love is imperative to ensure a sustainable future, especially in the context of Papua. “What we do, even if it seems small, undoubtedly has an impact. I believe that every action ripples outward,” Cicilia concluded.
Data from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration, Ministry of Home Affairs in 2021 shows that 69.56 percent of the population in the Land of Papua is Christian. This shows that the steps taken by the PGI Papua Region to include the values of nature conservation in the Sunday school curriculum can be one of the effective and strategic steps in terms of environmental education, in order to foster a sense of love for nature and concern for children to protect this “paradise” on earth.
Editor: Swinny Adestika
