As a form of achieving the vision of the WWF-Indonesia Foundation, namely, Indonesian ecosystems and biodiversity are conserved and managed fairly and sustainably, for the welfare of present and future generations, all efforts are made to achieve this with several missions, one of which is to pay special attention to environmental education, especially for the younger generation.

WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program held a leadership training entitled "Youth Leadership Training (YLT) 2015" which was held for 3 days, from May 9 to 11, 2015, at Gardenia Hotel, Resort and Spa in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan. The second event with the theme 'Act for the Environment' was attended by 37 young participants with ages from 16 to 22 years old, who came from several regions in Kalimantan (West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Kaltara) to Borneo Island (Brunei Darussalam), including 5 Alumni participants from the first YLT event in 2013.

This leadership activity aims to shape the figure of a leader who has the ability to inspire the wider community, to pay more attention to aspects of sustainability in the use of natural resources. Therefore, for 3 days, in addition to being provided with leadership training and public speaking, participants were also given a lot of knowledge about conservation and utilization of natural resources, to environmentally friendly lifestyle materials.

The event opened on May 9, 2015 with a welcome speech from Albertus Tjiu, West Kalimantan Program Manager, WWF Indonesia, followed by a gathering of participants, organizers, facilitators and YLT alumni. On the second day, participants focused on several seminars and discussions on conservation issues, ranging from wildlife conservation such as orangutans, porpoises and proboscis monkeys, sustainable forest management efforts, to conservation morals and ethics. In the discussion activities, participants dissected a stereotypical condition by encouraging critical thinking and understanding, in addition to several simulations that encouraged the leadership spirit of each participant in the form of interactive games.

"One of the most important things in leadership is communication", said Albertus. "Some other things that need to be considered in the concept of leadership are someone who is able to become a trendsetter, not just followers, able to harmonize cooperation with other institutions/partners, able to increase their own capacity and develop positive energy for the surrounding environment, and become a role model in daily life," Albertus added.

This leadership training, the process was led by Mario Antonius Birowo, Ph.D from Atmajaya University, Yogyakarta, as the leadership facilitator.

"By attending this leadership training, the participants, young people, are expected to emerge with a new sense and color of themselves, have a role and responsibility towards their community, appear self-confidence and courage (intrinsic), as well as the desire to give back the experience and knowledge gained to others", said Anton.

On the last day, participants were also facilitated with several discussion seminars on journalistic skills and photography. The activity on the last day was closed by developing an action plan from each participant. Mentors and participants met to finalize what they had learned into a year-long action plan to be implemented in their home communities and these action plans were presented from each group at the closing ceremony of YLT 2015. The action plans of the YLT 2015 participants were very diverse, ranging from training in environmentally-based community entrepreneurship to socializing environmentally-friendly lifestyles. Then the series of YLT 2015 events was closed by Syahirsyah, Communications Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program.

From this activity, the participants also received encouragement or motivation to dig deeper into their personal qualities, such as vision and positive thinking, as a provision to take a role in nature conservation in the present and future.

"For me, it is important to participate in this activity. My presence here is to gain knowledge, so that I can bring it back to the village and can be applied in my neighborhood," said Hamidah, one of the participants from Paloh, Sambas Regency.

By holding this YLT 2015 activity, WWF-Indonesia hopes to foster the spirit of leaders who do not forget about environmental conservation in each participant. It's time for young people to be active as a leader for action to save the earth!