Empowering Youth Through Climate Education
Thematic Community Service Program at Lancang Kuning University

All participants in the opening of the workshop and training

HSF

From June 4 to 6, 2024, 80 students from the faculties of forestry, agriculture, and administrative science at Lancang Kuning University participated in a three-day workshop and training program in Pekanbaru. The program focused on educating students about Proklim, a national community-based climate change initiative that began in 2011. Proklim emphasizes local-level actions to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts, thereby increasing climate resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The workshop aimed to prepare students for the climate change thematic community service program, which they will undertake during their sixth semester in 2025. The training included sessions on registering climate community projects in the national registration system (SRN) to contribute to Indonesia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets. Students also learned from the experiences of other universities that have successfully implemented similar programs.

University students practice to recycle solid waste into economically products

HSF

Hands-On Experience and Practical Training

Participants gained hands-on experience in Proklim projects, including solid waste management, rainwater harvesting, and the sustainable use of unused land to create an economically viable catfish village. These practical sessions not only enhanced their understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation but also demonstrated how local actions can have a significant impact on broader environmental goals. The enthusiasm among the students was palpable as they engaged in activities such as recycling solid waste into economically viable products, creating eco-friendly fertilizers, and processing harvested catfish into smoked catfish—a product with higher economic value.

In his opening remarks, Ir. Noer Adi Wardojo MSc., Secretary of the Directorate General of Climate Change Control, highlighted the importance of thematic climate change community service programs in expanding the implementation of climate change control measures. He emphasized that students play a crucial role in linking policy with on-the-ground actions, making them integral to the success of climate change initiatives. Deputy Rector of Lancang Kuning University, Dr. Jeni Wardi SE. Ak. CA. M. Ak., expressed his gratitude for the collaboration and emphasized the importance of student involvement in climate change efforts. He noted that as future leaders, students' participation in these programs will help spread climate change awareness and action throughout society.

Harvested row catfish being processed to smoked catfish

HSF

The workshop marks a significant step in integrating climate change education into university curricula and empowering students to take an active role in climate action. The collaboration between Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Directorate General of Climate Change Control, and Lancang Kuning University has set a strong foundation for continued efforts in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The workshop was covered by media as the following links.

Media coverages links in Indonesian:

• https://www.unilak.ac.id/berita/detail/edukasi-proklim-sebagai-kontribusi-ndc
• https://pekanbaru.tribunnews.com/2024/06/06/edukasi-proklim-sebagai-kontribusi-ndckerjasama-fia-unilak-klhk-ri-hsf
• https://www.beritaazam.com/workshop-edukasi-proklim-menuju-terbentuknya-kkn-didukung-kementerian-lhk-dan-hsf-indonesia/
• https://riautribune.com/news/cetak/29413/dibuka-wakil-rektor-ii-unilak-ratusan-mahasiswa-unilak-ikuti-proklim-kkn-tematik