The world is faced with the reality of natural conditions that worsen from time to time. Throughout 2022, Indonesia recorded the highest intensity of natural disasters in the past decade with 95% of them being hydrometeorological disasters, namely natural disasters caused by climate change that are synonymous with human activities (Rofi Ali Majid, KompasTV). Reflecting on these concerns, the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN) since 2014 has been trying to combat climate change with the mission of protecting land and water areas as a life support system. Participating in preserving Indonesia's diversity, Kompas Gramedia received a visit from YKAN on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Borobudur Room, 6th Floor of Kompas Tower.
The delegation from YKAN was led by YKAN Terrestrial Program Senior Advisor Wahjudi Wardjojo, YKAN Terrestrial Program Director Ruslandi, Secretary General of the Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs Association Purwadi Soeprihanto, Public Relations of the Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs Association Herry Prayitno, YKAN Communication Director Priscilla Christine, and YKAN Digital Communication Coordinator Arlinda Fitria.
A warm welcome was given to YKAN from representatives of Kompas Gramedia, including GM Communication Management and Bentara Budaya Ilham Khoiri, Managing Editor of Kompas.com Amir Sodikin, Reporter Tribunnews.com Danang, Editor in Chief Intisari and Managing Editor of National Geographic Indonesia Mahandis Yoanata Thamrin, Business Manager of Male and Sport Media Gridnetwork Diky Wahyudi Lubis, Asst. Manager Sales Male Media Publisher Hasan Kholilulrahman, and Head of PR KG Media Arrozi Effendi.
The visit was opened with the introduction of Kompas Gramedia as well as the leadership who were also present by GM Communication Management and Bentara Budaya Ilham Khoiri. Before introducing YKAN, YKAN Terrestrial Program Senior Advisor Wahjudi Wardjojo opened the presentation by conveying the basic milestone of YKAN's establishment, namely the belief that Indonesia's natural forests hold millions of extraordinary potentials. YKAN Communications Director Priscilla Christine added, "As we know the damage to nature continues to increase from year to year. YKAN since 2014 has come up with various programs aimed at realizing the harmony of nature and humans through effective natural resource management.
YKAN has a terrestrial program engaged in strategies to manage community-based natural resources, manage sustainable forests, sustainable oil palm plantations, and mitigation at the national and subnational levels. In addition, YKAN has a marine program to protect water areas and advance the blue economy," he said.
Digging deeper into YKAN, YKAN Terrestrial Program Director Ruslandi said, "YKAN always makes the community the center of all activities. Within the framework of climate change mitigation, YKAN also networks with the government in conserving biodiversity. The community is of course also an important component, for example by focusing on reducing the adverse effects of logging to reduce carbon emissions," he added.
Responding with high enthusiasm, Editor in Chief Intisari and Managing Editor of National Geographic Indonesia Mahandis Yoanata Thamrin said, "We have a mission to bridge between science and the public, namely by voicing through science information wrapped to attract the public. Therefore, the collaboration between YKAN in the future will further encourage the achievement of this mission."
Head of PR KG Media Arrozi Effendi also added, "Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation has long been an important task for the media. Regarding the issue of forest management, KG has previously carried out various campaigns to hold concerts entitled nature conservation. In addition, KG has also run a plant seed distribution program with the environmental activist community. The visit from YKAN will open up potential cooperation in the future."
This activity is a form of implementation of the humanist values of Kompas Gramedia, one of which is by making social contributions. Kompas Gramedia and YKAN believe that Indonesia's land and sea landscapes not only store species diversity and beauty, but also become part of cultural roots, sustain people's lives, as well as the Indonesian economy. Therefore, this meeting always strengthens inter-institutional relations and explores the potential for cooperation in the future.
Author: Gisella Darfian/KGIC Corp. Communications 2023