JAKARTA, INDONESIA (January 20, 2010) A shift away from economic growth towards a development model based upon quality of life is one of the elements of an emerging sustainability strategy of the Indonesian province of Papua. SI’s Phil Rice conducted a training workshop for officials of the Papua Planning Department (BAPPEDA) as part the fourth of a six-workshop planning process on sustainable development. Alumni of SI’s Donella Meadows Leadership Fellowship, Any Sulistyowati (Sustainable Natural Conservation of Indonesia, KAIL) and Maria Latumahina (British Embassy, Jakarta) were among the organizer/co-organizers of this remarkable workshop series in conjunction with David Sutasurya (Foundation for Sustainable Culture and Livelihood, YPBB) and Adrian Wells (British Embassy, Jakarta).
Developing a sustainability strategy for the Papua province is, as the workshop confirmed, inspired by the need to be prepared for eventual future environmental crises. Solutions need to be based on local cultural values. Key elements of such a plan may include:
- Economic policies that focus on delivering a good quality of life, and sustainable, low-carbon economy.
- Sustainable management of Papua’s own resources, amongst others through:
- Technological and economic innovations that reduce dependency on imports to meet basic needs.
- Strengthen self-sufficiency at village level in Papua, including by securing and enhancing the existing role of the non-cash economy;
- Rights-based development, built on Papuan customary systems, to deliver economic justice and sustainability.
Phil addressed the current scenarios for global warming using C-ROADS including “business as usual” and the current state of confirmed proposals as determined using C-ROADS and available on the climate scoreboard. He also connected this to the delicate balance that particular developing countries are facing to combine economic growth, development, resource management and environmental protection. He stressed that solutions are not merely adopting those of others, rather can stem from daring to “think new” and thereby inspire others in the world as well.
The workshop will be followed by 2 more sessions, to generate a blueprint for sustainable development in Papua Province.
Further information: Phil Rice at philrice@sustainer.org