WGII Involves Young Generation in Training of Trainer for Documentation and Registration of AKKM

Bali, June 1, 2024, Working Group ICCAs Indonesia (WGII) involves 30 young men and women from all regions in Indonesia in the Training of Trainer for Registration and Documentation of AKKM which lasts for 3 days (May 30 – June 1, 2024) held at Hotel Kirana and Les Penuktukan Village, Buleleng, Bali.

This activity is organized to strengthen and expand the people's conservation movement in Indonesia by enhancing the capacity of the youth. The participants are young representatives from the AKKM Rights Holders Network (JPH-AKKM) and WGII member organizations involved in participatory mapping and/or community assistance work. At the very least, they already have a general understanding of tenure, agrarian issues, and indigenous peoples and local communities. They are given capacity building so that they have the skills, knowledge, and ability to implement the documentation of Community Managed Conservation Areas and effectively convey the training material to others, either in the area where they work or in their home villages.

Kasmita Widodo, WGII Coordinator, explained why this training specifically targets the youth, he said, "These young people, both indigenous communities and WGII members, are expected to continue the documentation of AKKM. And this can be organized continuously. 2-3 years ago, the members (WGII) thought about how this living space and conservation practice could continue and be voiced directly by the community, this is what became the forerunner of the formation of the AKKM Rights Holders Network. This is the reason friends are present at this event."

In designing this training, WGII combines various methods, namely classroom materials, interactive games, group discussions, and direct simulations to the community. Classroom materials are theoretical sessions delivered by competent speakers to provide conceptual understanding. Each classroom material will be preceded by an interactive game session as a "bridging" and "conditioning" tool to help participants understand the context of the material to be delivered. Indra Hatasura, Rimbawan Muda Indonesia, as the training facilitator, uses these interactive games to build participant engagement, strengthen the connection between the concepts taught and real situations, and mentally prepare participants to understand and accept the training material to be delivered.

On the last day of the training, participants visited the Les Penuktukan community, Buleleng, Bali to conduct field practice/simulation related to AKKM documentation through discussions/FGDs with the community, biodiversity identification, and coordinate point collection. This session is presented to provide participants with direct experience in applying the knowledge and skills learned. The combination of methods in the training is intended to ensure that participants gain a strong understanding and then be able to apply it in real situations.

Seli, as one of the participants from Jayapura, expressed appreciation for this training activity, "Very impressive because I can make new friends and know that we are all in the struggle today."

Adelia Saber, a representative of the Perdu Institute added, "Hopefully there will be more activities (continuity) that can bring us together from all over Indonesia."