Jakarta (22/11) - Greater Support, Better Synergy. That was the theme of WWF-Indonesia's Corporate Gathering held at Pacific Place Jakarta on November 23, 2011. This annual forum for WWF-Indonesia's corporate partners aims to raise awareness and activate the active role of business people in environmental conservation efforts as well as provide assistance for corporations that are committed to contributing to the movement to save the environment.

The non-governmental organization (NGO), which will be 50 years old in September 2012, is trying to prove that the interests of the business world do not always have to clash with conservation values. WWF's various collaborations with the business world can prove this condition. For example, WWF's initiative in encouraging sustainable forest management through the Global Forest Trade & Network). Not only that, in the Seafood Savers initiative, WWF seeks to encourage sustainable fisheries by forming a group of companies consisting of producers, exporters, importers, retailers, and financial institutions engaged in the business of marine resources.

WWF-Indonesia Marketing Director, Devy Suradji said, "Conservation efforts basically aim to ensure the feasibility of environmental carrying capacity for humans, both on land and in the ocean. The concept of sustainability is not about limiting economic growth or other human activities, but rather ensuring that the resources we need will still be there in the long term."

He also added that environmental conservation efforts and sustainability issues require harmonious collaboration of various parties, ranging from NGOs, governments, corporations, and the wider community as consumer groups. The role of corporations in particular can be done gradually and continues to increase, beyond the level of mere imaging. Given that environmental issues are always evolving and developing, long-term support and commitment from corporations are needed to answer these challenges.

The Corporate Gathering was also held as a form of appreciation for WWF's corporate partners who have proven their commitment to environmental conservation efforts. In the same session, business partners had the opportunity to listen to various corporate partnership programs that WWF has developed to answer the challenges of the business world and the environment to be more sustainable. One example of positive cooperation carried out by WWF is by cooperating with Teh Kotak in supporting the aloe vera tea farming community in Sebangau National Park, Central Kalimantan.

Corporate support in environmental conservation efforts is not always in the form of funds, there are also those who provide support in the form of facilities that can answer the needs of WWF campaigns. HINO donated the Panda Mobile truck in 2010 and successfully expanded the capacity of WWF's environmental education efforts in schools, universities, and other public spaces. To date, the Panda Mobile truck has reached and disseminated environmental messages to one hundred thousand people in JABODETABEK, Bandung, Garut, Tasikmalaya, and Semarang.

Another effort worked on by WWF and its corporate partners is the launch of an affinity credit card with BNI 46. If last May the gold version of the card was launched, this time WWF and BNI introduced a platinum affinity card that has a different credit card user segment from the previous affinity card series.

As a complement to the Corporate Gathering, WWF also provides an opportunity for the public and young executives to attend an exhibition on the ground floor (GF) of Pacific Place on November 21-25, 2011. The exhibition is open during mall operating hours so that visitors can see examples of WWF and its partners working together to conserve the environment in Indonesia. WWF staff and volunteers will also be on hand to share information on eco-friendly lifestyles.

Last but not least, the public in general and office workers in particular can donate their unused waste paper at this stand to be passed on to the "Ancol Sayang Lingkungan" recycling group who will process it into objects of economic value. In addition to the community, WWF also introduces the authors of the poetry book Sarang Enggang, a trio of poets from West Kalimantan who want to voice their concerns and care for environmental problems in their region through their works. Their poems will be read by corporate leaders and public figures during the Corporate Gathering on November 23, 2011.

Note to Editor
About WWF
WWF is an independent conservation organization supported by more than 5 million supporters worldwide and has a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of nature and build a future where people can live in harmony with nature by conserving biodiversity, promoting the sustainable use of renewable natural resources and supporting the reduction of pollution and overconsumption. Visit www.wwf.or.id for the latest news and information.
About WWF-Indonesia Corporate Partnership
WWF-Indonesia's Corporate Partnership program is designed to meet the challenge of independent conservation that encourages quality and sustainable cooperation, where conservation and the business world can go hand in hand in an effort to keep the earth green. Some of the existing forms of cooperation include Corporate Club, Corporate Sponsorship, and Corporate Supporter programs. Visit www.wwf.or.id/corporatepartnership for more details.

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