Indonesia, with its diverse ethnicities and cultures, presents a challenge for policymakers in implementing appropriate solutions to address the threat of climate change. A policy that is successful in one region, even if supported by credible research, may not necessarily be applicable in another.
This was stated by the Deputy for Development of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Mego Pinandito. He stated that Indonesia’s diversity demands diverse solutions. “To produce diverse solutions, more research is needed,” he said, at Parallel Session 6 of the SDG Annual Conference 2024, in Jakarta, Tuesday (8/10) afternoon.
In the session organised by KONEKSI, Mego said that research will become a policy recommendation, so that we can apply evidence-based policy.
The importance of enriching research is a concern for the Australian government. Minister Counsellor for Governance and Human Development at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Madelaine Moss, said Australia supports research conducted to find innovative solutions to face the challenges of climate change.
“We have provided support for 38 collaborative research projects, involving more than 118 institutions in Indonesia and Australia,” she said. Moss said the research strengthens cooperation between researchers and institutions in both countries, taking into account many aspects, including GEDSI.
In addition to Mego and Moss, the panel session was also attended by MB Junerosano, Founder & CEO of Waste4Change, and CS Lestari, Founder of SalingSilang & Lyfewithless.
In accordance with the theme of the session, “Small Steps, Big Impact: Environmental Literacy, Education, and Sustainable Lifestyles,” Lestari said everyone can have an impact to reduce environmental damage by doing small things starting with themselves. “Be wise in shopping, so as not to accumulate goods which then become waste,” she said. Junerosano highlighted law enforcement as being important in reducing environmental damage.
The keynote speaker at the opening of the session was the Deputy for Human Development, Society and Culture, Ministry of National Development Planning/BAPPENAS, Amich Alhumami. He said everyone must participate by doing even the smallest things for environmental sustainability. To be able to do this, literacy about the environment needs to be possessed. This literacy is part of education and must be supported by research.
The panel session continued with presentations by seven researchers, two of them are recipients of the KONEKSI Environment and Climate Change – Collaborative Research Grant program.
A researcher from the Australia Awards Indonesia short course program in collaboration with KONEKSI presented the results of her innovations related to science and technology parks. Other researchers in attendance were participants from the Call for Papers organized by Pusbindiklatren Bappenas.