Merdi Sihombing Foundation and Losari Foundation Conduct Forum for Sustainable Talk and Act in Gianyar
A collaboration event by Merdi Sihombing Foundation and Losari Foundation was officially held in the Bali Purnati Foundation, Gianyar, 21 November 2020. The event was supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture Republic of Indonesia through the 2020 Cultural Facilitation Sector (Fasilitas Bidang Kebudayaan), themed “Rooting from Tradition and Culture, Learning from the Indigenous Communities” in applying sustainable act, or also known as sustainable lifestyle.
The event was held on 21-22 November 2020, trigger by the concerns about the earth, our home, which is constantly degraded by continuous human activities. Not only have we left a large trace of carbon footprints, an unsustainable lifestyle will also lead to increase of temperature, deforestation, causing scarcity of clean water, extinction of fauna and marine life. All, of which, are natural resources coming to its limits.
Merdi Sihombing, founder of Merdi Sihombing Foundation, in his welcoming speech at the “Sustainable Talk and Act Forum” said that the event aims to provide reference for the community to live well, side by side with nature, without destruction. “The earth’s degradation has only been a topic for certain groups. Not many are aware and has agreed upon an act and lifestyle that is sustainable for the earth. Human activities has mostly been the cause of natural destruction, due to the shift from ‘needs’ to ‘wants’,” said Merdi Sihombing, also a sustainable fashion activist. The truth is, humans that roam the earth can make small steps in their daily lifestyle to support earth’s sustainability. We can start with awareness of reducing unnecessary consumption resulting in long carbon footprints, and increase activities that give back to nature. Living with a ‘sustainable’ principle will balance human needs, the continuity of nature, and all that is within. What we do today will affect us in the future. This change is to save the earth for the continuing generations.
A similar perspective from the Chairman of Losari Foundation, Restu Imansari Kusumaningrum hopes that the “Sustainable Talk and Act Forum” can be a medium for the people to learn about sustainable behaviour, local wisdom, and culture. “In rough times like these, we must have the courage to state our identities and stay rooted to our own culture. This event is based on our, Merdi Sihombing Foundation and Losari Foundation, consciousness to reflect towards the sustainable lives of the indigenous people and see further ahead, so together that we can change our behaviour, to preserve and protect, and celebrate Indonesia’s civilization. We hope, through this event, we can care and are willing to learn from the wisdom and behaviour of local communities that have prevail since long ago. Expectedly, the attending audience are people that are willing to listen with humility, that life must change and fast action must be taken.”
“Sustainable Talk and Act Forum”, held over two days, presented various activities such as discussion, workshops, exhibitions, and a documentary screening. Sustainable living activist such as Abdon Nababan from the Indonesian Indigenous People Alliance (AMAN), Suzy Hutomo (founder of Sustainable Suzy, Climate Reality Leader) and Komang Sri Mahayuni (IDEP Foundation) appeared in the first day of discussions.
The event held on 21 November 2020 was also spruced up with the screening of documentaries from AMAN, “Tabob” by Brian Rayanki, and “Sacred and Secret” by Basil Gelpke which was inspired by a book of the same title by Gill Marais. On the second day, a discussion was held between Andar Manik and Yoyo Yogasmana (Kasepuhan Ciptagelar), I Wayan Sudarsana (People of Bali Aga), and Putu Ardana (local figure, owner of Don Biyudan Blue Tamblingan Coffee). An organic soap-making workshop was also held by Sito Kosmetik, while the red colouring with natural dye workshop was held by by Agus Haerudin from the Association of Crafts and Batik. A traditional cloth exhibition presented the work of Merdi Sihombing Foundation, Losari Foundation, Dekranasda Dairi Regency, Tentun Tanekavate Group, Alor, NTT (CSR Pegadaian), Gringsing weaving from the Bali Aga people, ‘purun’ weaving supported by the Peat Restoration Institution, and Tetes ASA.
Within the discussion held on the first day, Abdon Nababan said, considering the diversity of culture and biodiversity, Indonesia is the richest country in the world. There are about 1340 tribes, which consist of 70 million indigenous people that are truthful to sustainable life.
“If we acknowledge and effectively respect the indigenous people, Indonesia will contribute largely in the climate change mitigation, biodiversity crises, water crisis, and food crisis in the world,” said Abdon Nababan.
On the second day, Yoyo Yogasmana, spokesperson for Kasepuhan Ciptagelar said sustainable living reflects a balanced life; as do left and right, tradition and modernity, west and east knowledge, physical and psychological knowledge, also those that are invincible to the eyes. “This discussion is part Kasepuhan Ciptagela’s task in harmonizing towards a balanced life,” continued Yoyo Yogasmana. “Sustainable lifestyle that has been practiced by the indigenous people and communities must be a collective conscious movement in living life and life itself. This can be supported by regulation Cultural Advancement Law with its 10 aims and 4 guiding, developing, utilization and protection principles. The younger generation can participate in documenting digital data through the indigenous cultural advancement application,” said Andar Manik, associate to the Kasepuhan Ciptagelar people.