Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Ministry of Forestry, through the Center for the Development of the Forest Conservation Generation (Pusgenri) under the Human Resources Extension and Development Agency (BP2SDM), is continuing to nurture a generation of young people capable of driving the conservation of Indonesia’s forests and biodiversity.
The effort was given fresh momentum through the Forest Youthverse Summit 2026, which brought together 30 selected young people from across West Java to build collaboration, develop innovations, and formulate concrete action for the future of Indonesia’s forests. Held under the theme “Forest Heroes Behind the Scene: Youth as Indonesia’s Future Forest Heroes,” the event was organized together with the BP2SDM Regional Center IV in Kadipaten, serving as a learning and collaboration space that connected young participants with forestry practitioners, academics, communities, and various stakeholders.
Through discussion sessions, workshops, nature reflection activities, and innovation forums, participants were encouraged to strengthen their leadership capacity, build networks, and develop ideas that can be applied in support of forest and environmental conservation.
Head of Pusgenri, represented by Head of the Nature-Loving Generation Development Division Ernawati Eko Hartono, said the Forest Youthverse Summit was designed as a transformative learning space to inspire young people to become part of the solution to forestry and environmental challenges.
“We want to show that young people are not merely spectators on environmental issues. They can be innovators, community drivers, environmental content creators, and future leaders who bring change to Indonesia’s forest conservation. Amid the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, Indonesia needs more and more young people who are willing to think creatively, collaborate, and deliver real solutions,” she said.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in a range of learning activities designed to strengthen their connection with nature while sharpening critical and collaborative thinking, including Youth Action for Nature, Forest Reflection Circle, Forest Connector, Forest Innovation Workshop, Forest Youth Forum, Forest Innovation Pitching, Expert Reflection, Forest Ideas Coffee, and Forest Youth Commitment sessions.
One of the key outcomes of the summit was the emergence of innovative ideas presented by participants through the Forest Innovation Pitching session, in which ten participant groups proposed ideas and solutions on conservation, environmental education, green technology, waste management, and biodiversity preservation before practitioners and an expert panel.
Beyond deepening participants’ understanding of the importance of forest and biodiversity conservation, the summit also drove a mindset shift among young people from passive observers to active agents of change capable of mobilizing real action in their respective communities.
The outcomes of the event will serve as important capital in developing the Forest Conservation Generation (Genries) network across various regions, through which participants are expected to continue developing innovations, expanding collaboration, and delivering initiatives with a positive impact on communities and the environment.
The Ministry of Forestry believes the future of Indonesia’s forests will be determined not only by the policies made today but also by the active involvement of young people in sustainably protecting and managing natural resources.
Through the Forest Youthverse Summit 2026, the ministry hopes to see more young Forest Heroes emerge, capable of turning concern into innovation, collaboration into movement, and ideas into real action in support of sustainable forest management and sustainable development in Indonesia. (*)
