Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Ministry of Forestry has encouraged young people to play a more active role in forest and environmental conservation through education, collaboration and practical action. The message was delivered during the visit of 180 participants of the 12th Green Generation Jamboree 2026 to the Manggala Wanabakti Building in Jakarta on Monday (August 24).
The participants consisted of 170 high school and vocational school students from various provinces across Indonesia and 10 Environmental Engineering students from Malaysia. They are members of Green Generation Indonesia (GGI), which organized the 12th Green Generation Jamboree 2026 under the theme “Rising in Action as Green Generation.”
The event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry’s Agency for Extension and Human Resources Development (BP2SDM), through the Center for Forest Conservation Generation Development (Pusgenri), and GGI. The partnership was previously established through the Forest Youthverse–Biodiversity Action Camp in the Thousand Islands.
Acting Head of BP2SDM Indra Exploitasia, represented by Senior Forestry Extension Officer Mariana Lubis, said forest conservation requires contributions from young people with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.
“Protecting forests does not mean that every young person has to become a forester. Talents in technology, communications, economics, business, research, design and entrepreneurship all have opportunities to contribute,” Indra said in a statement delivered during the event.
He emphasized that young people can make meaningful contributions by applying their skills to benefit forests, the environment and communities.
Ministerial Expert for Restoration and Conservation Partnerships Wiratno, who served as one of the speakers, urged young people to become agents of change in natural resource management.
He said young people have energy, creativity and the ability to build networks, allowing them to contribute without having to wait until they become foresters or government officials.
Wiratno encouraged participants to identify environmental problems in their surroundings, build partnerships and begin with practical actions that can be taken immediately.
The event also highlighted the importance of youth participation in coastal ecosystem restoration. Director of Mangrove Rehabilitation Nikolas Nugroho Surjobasuindro explained the role young people can play in supporting mangrove and coastal ecosystem recovery.
Meanwhile, from the social forestry perspective, Priyo Kusumedi, Head of the Social Forestry Institutionalization Subdivision, representing the Director of Social Forestry Control, highlighted opportunities for young people to connect forest conservation with community welfare.
Following the discussion session, the participants visited the Forestry Museum to learn about the development of Indonesia’s forestry sector and reflect on the condition of forests that they hope to preserve for future generations.
Through Pusgenri, BP2SDM continues to provide platforms for youth development through programs including Youth Talk Take Action, Bestari Rimba, Forest Youthverse and Forest Youthpreneurship.
These programs are designed to strengthen young people’s knowledge, capacity, networks and practical actions in support of sustainable forests and environmental conservation.
The participation of students from both Indonesia and Malaysia also demonstrates the potential for cross-border youth collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. By combining education, creativity, technology and collective action, the Ministry of Forestry aims to encourage a new generation to take a more active role in protecting forests and building a sustainable future. (*)
