WWF-INDONESIA AND SAVE THE CHILDREN LAUNCH "BASAMO" PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CHILD WELFARE IN KAB. KUANTAN SINGINGI, RIAU PROVINCE.
Jakarta, 1 December 2023. WWF-Indonesia and Save the Children Indonesia launched the "BASAMO / Build and Empower Riau Children and Community for Sustainable Agriculture and Impactful Actions on Education in Kuantan Singingi" program. The program aims to strengthen education for sustainable development and the welfare of children and communities in Riau.
The "Basamo" program will be implemented in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province, Sumatra. The "Basamo" program is expected to answer the need to maintain biodiversity through education for sustainable development, implementing good agricultural practices (GAP) and the welfare of children in Kuantan Singingi Regency. Why is it necessary to protect biodiversity? According to data from BPMPD Riau Province, of the 8.9 million hectares of Riau Province, 4.3 million hectares are plantation commodities (Disbun Riau, 2023). Based on this data, behavior change starting from school-age children to good practices of good plantation management for small-scale communities must be carried out.
"Save the Children recognizes the importance of this initiative in improving the welfare of children in Riau. This program is a real step in maintaining the sustainability of the ecosystem. By involving children, it is hoped that they will understand the importance of protecting the environment for future generations." Explained Kurwiany Ukar/Interim CEO of Save the Children Indonesia.
Kuantan Singingi Regency is a center of local socio-cultural development that has important ecosystem value areas for protected wildlife and human life support. These areas are under pressure due to unsustainable natural resource management practices and land expansion for monoculture plantations and agriculture, especially the shift from natural rubber to oil palm. The expansion of oil palm plantations threatens biodiversity conservation and ecological impacts due to the unpreparedness of the management system so that conservation efforts are needed (Azhal, 2021).
Aditya Bayunanda, CEO of WWF-Indonesia said, "Biodiversity conservation is very important through behavior change, and this is done from an early age through education for sustainable development. Aditya continued, "We believe this program can answer the above problems through several activities that have a significant impact on the welfare of the community and environmental preservation in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province".
To improve community welfare while maintaining biodiversity, the Basamo Program will also assist natural rubber farming communities to carry out a series of good practices that are sustainable rubber farming, and also significantly improve the economy. Examples include the use of modern technology, access to banks for credit, and the application of AGP (Good Agricultural Practices).
Another impact of unsustainable commodity practices is the involvement of children as 'child laborers'. This can deprive children of education and limit their fundamental rights. Children are vulnerable to protection issues, such as exploitation, violence, and reduced access to learning.
The BASAMO program is a solution to protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems by using natural farming methods according to local wisdom while involving children in the protection system and providing education that focuses on sustainable development. The project will be implemented in three villages in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province, namely Pangkalan Indarung Village (Hulu Singingi District), Lubuk Ambacang Village (Hulu Kuantan District), and Teluk Beringin Village (Gunung Toar District).
For more information, please contact:
Nesya Tirtayana | Media & Digital Coordinator
Email: Nesya.tirtayana@savethechildren.org
Mobile: +62 81110518736
Karina Lestiarsi, Communication Officer
Email: klestiarsi@wwf.id
Mobile: +62 85218161683
Notes for Editor:
About Save the Children Indonesia
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Indonesia and around the world, Save the Children does what it takes-every day and in times of crisis-to ensure that children have the right to a healthy life, opportunities to learn, and protection. Our experts go to the hardest-to-reach places where it's hardest to be a child. Save the Children ensures children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. Together with children, families and communities, and supporters around the world, we achieve sustainable results for millions of children. With more than 100 years of experience, we are the world's first and leading independent organization for children's rights-transforming lives and futures together.
About WWF-Indonesia
WWF-Indonesia is an Indonesian incorporated civil society organization engaged in nature conservation and sustainable development, with the support of more than 100,000 supporters. WWF Indonesia Foundation's mission is to halt environmental degradation and build a future where people live in harmony with nature, through the conservation of the world's biodiversity, the sustainable use of renewable natural resources, and support for the reduction of pollution and overconsumption.
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