By: Davin Rusady and Beryl Masdiary

Earth Hour Indonesia once again held Kumpul Belajar Bareng (KUMBANG). In its fourth year, the event, which took place on February 7-10, 2014, was attended by 63 participants from 31 cities supporting Earth Hour in Indonesia.

Located at the Center of Integrated Conservation Office (CICO) Resort, Bogor, KUMBANG became a discussion event for city coordinators called Earth Hour Champions. For four days, the champions shared their actions related to the four main focuses of this year's Earth Hour; public transportation, energy, waste, and paper and tissue. Not only discussing, the champions were also equipped with campaign strategies, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and best practices of Earth Hour actions in each supporting city.

Verena Puspawardani, Campaign Coordinator Climate and Energy, Communication and Advocation Program WWF-Indonesia, opened the event by explaining the purpose of KUMBANG. She mentioned that KUMBANG is a forum to unify the vision and mission of the Earth Hour campaign in each city as part of Earth Hour Indonesia.

The material in the activity was delivered with a light discussion. Nyoman Iswarayoga, Director of Communication and Advocacy of WWF-Indonesia, and Devi Suradji, Marketing Director of WWF-Indonesia, appeared as facilitators in the discussion on Saturday, February 8, 2014.

On the same day, Verena Puspawardani gave a presentation on Earth Hour Indonesia's expanding network in the public eye and a discussion on Earth Hour campaigns in each supporting city. At the beginning of 2014, more than 8,300 likes on Facebook, 50,500 followers of @EHindonesia account, 660 subscribers and 97,000 viewers on Youtube have been collected. According to Earth Hour Global's calculations, Indonesia is the country with the most active social media interaction in the world. Verena also conveyed the big theme of Earth Hour this year, which is amplified, multiplied, and globalized which means amplifying, multiplying, and globalizing. The scope of this movement is expected to be wider and continue to inspire many people in the following years, because saving the Earth means saving humanity.

In one of the KUMBANG sessions, delegates gathered to discuss their work programs to be implemented in their respective cities. The coordinators of each division in Earth Hour Indonesia, such as media relations, online media, and multimedia also gave explanations and suggestions regarding tasks and potential problems that will be found later. Some cities were also asked to give a presentation on one of their divisions. On another occasion, delegates from each city-assisted by Earth Hour Indonesia division coordinators-created a draft work program that will be implemented in the near future in their respective cities.

The results of KUMBANG-in the form of action and campaign plans in each supporting city-were realized on Sunday (09/02). Solo's Earth Hour Champions, for example, planned to adopt trees at public stops and organize cycling activities. In addition, they will also build garbage installations and water wells in Solo. As for Jogjakarta, they plan to create a campaign in collaboration with Jogja Runners to organize a game show adapted from Running Man. Earth Hour Champion Jogjakarta is also planning to hold a Green Charity with Jogja Berkebun to educate children at an orphanage to make compost. Earth Hour Aceh City does not want to be left behind with other cities. They will campaign for the use of public transportation with labi-labi (public transportation car).

KUMBANG was held with a tight schedule for 4 days and closed with a group photo of the delegates from each city and the team from Earth Hour Indonesia. The slogan "It's My Action Where's Your Action" is stated to have inspired Earth Hour Global to create the slogan "Your Power. Multiplied. Ampilfied. Globalized" which emphasizes on collective contribution for a better and more comfortable Earth to live in.

During its 7 years of development in Indonesia, the Earth Hour movement managed to get the attention of the wider community. During that time, many cities in Indonesia also wanted to bring change and experience the benefits of Earth Hour. KUMBANG is held by Earth Hour Indonesia to bring new spirit in every campaign as well as provide provisions for cities that have just joined Earth Hour Indonesia. Until this year, a total of 31 cities have initiated the Earth Hour movement, covering Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara.