Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development of the Special Region of Yogyakarta and RCE Tongyeong, South Korea, has initiated a project to raise public awareness about addressing marine debris along Indonesia’s southern coast.
This initiative, in collaboration with students from UGM and the Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center (GNIDCC), includes capacity-building training involving communities in Karangwuni and Bugel villages, Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta.
Dr. Rustamaji, Director of Community Service at UGM, stated that the collaboration between the regional centers of expertise from Yogyakarta and Tongyeong, South Korea, is expected to contribute to solving environmental issues, particularly marine debris on the southern coast of Indonesia.
“Moreover, waste has become a major issue in Yogyakarta due to the full capacity of the Final Disposal Site (TPA), which has worsened our environmental conditions,” he said in a statement to the press on Saturday (Nov. 2).
Dr. Rustamaji noted that the decision to hold the marine debris management training in Karangwuni village was particularly appropriate, as most residents are fishermen who face the challenge of marine waste impacting the sustainability of their marine resources.
“Through this training, it is hoped that local communities will become more aware of the need to protect marine ecosystems and adopt sustainable marine resource management practices,” he said.
The series of activities included training, seminars, and workshops, all part of efforts to strengthen commitments to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and better environmental management.
During the training session, UGM students and their Korean counterparts conducted outreach to Karangwuni State Elementary School students.
They provided education on the importance of keeping the sea clean and the negative impacts of marine debris on the environment and local livelihoods.
Several UGM students participated in the training, including five from the Faculty of Biology: Maidira Marsa Rabbani, Laras Ati, Dinda Luthfiani Nurul Ulya, Manika Rosalia Lysander, and Raja Steve Sudjatmiko Panggabean.
Several other students from the Vocational College, the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing joined them.
Maidira Marsa Rabbani stated that the coastal waste management campaign initiative involved various groups to raise public awareness about waste management across all segments of society.
“By fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, this project aims to enhance coastal ecosystem resilience and promote sustainable practices among residents for the sake of a better environmental future,” she said.
R Subagya, Head of Karangwuni Village, expressed that this training is an effort to protect the marine ecosystem in their village.
He hopes that students will become more aware of the need to protect the marine environment.
“As residents of Karangwuni Village, we must set an example in protecting the sea. The waste we dump into the sea will return to us, affecting our fish catch and our environment. Let’s all learn together to keep the sea clean for your future and our children and grandchildren,” he said.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif