Enviro News Asia, Kupang – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has brought together 30 outstanding young innovators from universities and community organizations across East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) through the Forest Youthverse Summit, reinforcing its commitment to developing the next generation of forest conservation leaders.
Held on July 20–21 at the Forest Area with Special Purpose (KHDTK) in Kupang, the summit carried the theme “Smart Eco-Generation: Youth Action for Optimizing the Mapoli Green Belt and Conserving Biodiversity in KHDTK Oelsonbai.” The program was organized by the Forest Conservation Youth Development Center (Pusgenri) under the Forestry Extension and Human Resources Development Agency (BP2SDM) in collaboration with the Regional Forestry Human Resources Development Center (P2SDM) Region VII Kupang.
Luckmi Purwandari, Head of the Forest Conservation Youth Development Center, said Forest Youthverse is a strategic initiative designed to cultivate a youth development ecosystem focused on real conservation action rather than conventional training.
She expressed hope that the program would inspire more members of the “Smart Eco-Generation” to become leaders in forest conservation across East Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia.
The Head of the Regional Forestry Human Resources Development Center Region VII Kupang added that Forest Youthverse serves as a strategic platform to strengthen environmental awareness among young people while promoting collaboration among stakeholders to protect the region’s forest landscapes.
The summit marked the culmination of a development program that began with Mentoring Classes and Coaching Classes. From 65 participants who joined the mentoring sessions held from July 7–9, 30 top-performing participants—known as Genries (Forest Conservation Generation)—were selected to continue intensive leadership development and innovation training.
On the first day, participants engaged in field-based learning activities, including maintaining trees at KHDTK Mapoli, attending the inauguration of the Saka Wanabakti Camping Ground and Genries Basecamp, exploring forest ecosystems, participating in a Forest Reflection Circle, and visiting the Fatukoa Forest Nursery to learn about seedling production.
The program also included team-building activities through the Forest Connection session at KHDTK Oelsonbai and a Forest Innovation Workshop, where participants developed Innovation Boards proposing solutions to forestry challenges in their respective regions.
On the second day, participants presented their ideas during the Forest Youth Forum and Forest Innovation Pitching sessions. Their proposals received feedback from experts representing the Regional Forestry Human Resources Development Center Region VII Kupang, the East Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA NTT), and PLAN Indonesia.
The summit concluded with the interactive Forest Ideas Cafe and the signing of the Forest Youth Commitment, reaffirming participants’ dedication to protecting Indonesia’s forests.
The Ministry of Forestry stated that Forest Youthverse extends beyond the summit itself. All participants will become members of the Forest Conservation Generation (Genries) network and will continue receiving guidance to implement their innovations and expand forest conservation initiatives throughout East Nusa Tenggara.
Through the program, the Ministry aims to strengthen youth leadership, encourage innovation, and foster long-term collaboration to safeguard Indonesia’s forests and biodiversity. (*)
