For immediate release 20 October 2009
Jakarta (20/10) – On 20 October 2009, WWF-Indonesia introduced its latest campaign together with the Wonder Eyes project, a creative activity for children using photography as their medium to deliver their messages. Taking place from 23rd of October to 2nd of November 2009, the activity will include photography tutorials for elementary and secondary students who live close to Tesso Nilo (Riau) and Bukit Barisan Selatan (Lampung) National Parks and will be followed by exhibitions in some cities in Indonesia. The activity is intended to raise awareness and appreciation for Indonesia’s environment and natural heritage. 
The Wonder Eyes project was initiated by a Japanese photojournalist, Hikaru Nagatake in 2000. From the earlier stage until now, the activity has provided opportunity for children in Brazil, Japan, Kenya, Cuba, Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Russia, Taiwan and Timor Leste to share their life through photographs. This year, Indonesian children will have their share of the experience, as part of Wonder Eyes collaboration with WWF - Japan and WWF – Indonesia.
Hikaru Nagatake expresses her appreciation for the upcoming project, “I am really grateful that the activity will take place in Indonesia”. According to the photojournalist, the project will take public to see unique things from children perspective and the photographs taken will illustrate how they perceive daily activities as well as their environment. “Children will learn how to use simple camera to document their daily life. Through this creative activity which combines communication, art and documentation, the children will have a chance to explore new things, to better understand their culture, society and even themselves.”
Musician and environmentalist Nugie, who is also a WWF-Indonesia Honorary Supporter and spoke person for the project, state his excitement “We are hoping that we can raise appreciation and public awareness on the importance of nature conservation in Indonesia, promoting ecotourism potentials, and local cultures. Moreover, the environmental message sent through the images will incite pride and appreciation for natural inheritance among kids who capture them, parents, teachers and societies living in the national parks surrounding, then hopefully it will motivate them to protect their nature.”
All of the photographs taken will be exhibited in Indonesia and Japan as part of cultural exchange, to build a better understanding between the two societies. In Indonesia, the exhibition will take place in Jakarta and some cities in Sumatra. Moreover, selected photographs will be made into post cards and sent to students in Japan.
Davina Hariadi, an avid Honorary Supporter of WWF-Indonesia expresses her support for Wonder Eyes Project. “This activity will provide Indonesian children, especially those living near the national parks, a chance to build friendship and cross cultural understanding with children in Japan whose culture and environment is different with what we have here. This is a great chance to promote our natural heritage, tourism potential, local culture and of course our hospitality.”
Bukit Barisan Selatan and Tesso Nilo National Parks with their insurmountable biodiversity are indispensable heritage for Indonesia and the rest of the world. The national parks are two out of 22 WWF’s work locations in Indonesia. In Riau, WWF operates in Tesso Nilo National Park, while in Lampung the organization operates in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. Albeit their rich biodiversity, the national parks are in a great peril from massive destruction which should be tackled by comprehensive conservation efforts. WWF-Indonesia works alongside governments and local communities to conserve and manage the national parks. “With pride of our natural heritage and understanding of the threats, we hope all of the stakeholders will foster conservation efforts, “stated Ian Kosasih, Director of Forest Program in WWF-Indonesia. He believes that Wonder Eyes project will help the efforts made to protect our nature.
Nugie and Davina are Honorary Supporters of WWF-Indonesia as well as the spoke persons for this activity. They believe in environmental cause and are dedicated promoters of conservation and Indonesia’s natural beauties. As public figures, WWF hopes that Nugie and Davina as the representatives could convey conservation messages to people.

For further information, please contact:
Israr Ardiansyah, Media Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia, p +62 811266973, iardiansyah@wwf.or.id
Desmarita Murni, Communications Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia, p +62 811793458, dmurni@wwf.or.id
Notes for Editor:
Further information about Wonder Eyes can be found in www.wondereyes.org and for Wonder Eyes project in Sumatra, Indonesia in www.wwf.or.id
For further information in Bukit Barisan Selatan and Tesso Nilo National Park, please visit www.wwf.or.id/savesumatra