“I belong to the Kasepuhan Cirompang. We are part of the indigenous Sundanese people. For centuries we have lived in harmony with nature and in connection with our ancestors.”.  

My village, Cirompang, lies in the west of Java, nestled amidst tropical highland forests. The forest provides us with everything we need: food, medicine, clean water, and a place that connects us spiritually with our ancestors. 

But the forest is being cleared: for timber, for growing crops, and for mining. This destroys the soil's fertility and makes it susceptible to erosion. It increases flooding and dries up rice paddies. Farming families suffer significant crop losses. The consequences are school dropouts and malnutrition. Parents can no longer adequately care for their children because they are overwhelmed by the task of securing their own livelihoods. Some have migrated to the city to earn more money. 
 

Adat - Traditions, knowledge, rules and wisdom 

Since 2018, I have been active with the Kasepuhan Cirompang Indigenous Youth Community (Kisancang). The group is part of the Kasepuhan Youth Network, which advocates for our culture, education, and community-based forest management. In our village, we organize campaigns and talk to the children about our traditions, a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of biodiversity. We call this context-based Adat education. Adat refers to traditions, knowledge, rules, and wisdom passed down from generation to generation. 

The interests of Indonesia's indigenous peoples are generally subordinated to economic interests. Therefore, we advocate for issues such as clean water, food sovereignty, and the recognition of Adat customary law with local and national governments.  

"There are many interest groups who do not like our actions."

There are many interest groups who dislike our actions. Mining companies, loggers, and politicians fear that their profits and influence will diminish. In 2022, Kisancang stood up against some gold miners who wanted to mine in our territory. Together with our community, we managed to stop them. Such actions are not without risk. But because most members of our community and the elders support us, we can withstand the pressure and secure the area. 

We are doing what we can. But the children and young people of Indonesia need the support of the international community as well as national and local governments. 
 

Anchoring children's rights in environmental policy  

The United Nations has called on countries that have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child to take immediate action to protect the climate and the environment. Now Indonesia must take concrete steps and enshrine children's rights in its environmental policy. This includes the following:  

• The policy takes into account the impact of the environment on the well-being of children and works to protect them.
• Context-related environmental education is integrated into the curricula.
• Indonesia is taking measures to protect children from the increasingly serious effects of climate change.
• Children are involved in environmentally relevant decision-making processes. They must have the right to express their views on issues that affect their future – and they must be heard.
• Existing laws and regulations for the protection of the environment and culture are effectively implemented.  

I hope that people will become more aware of the importance of a safe, clean and healthy environment.  

I hope that society will manage to achieve sustainable prosperity without further destroying the ecosystem.  

And I hope that everyone does their part. By saving energy, reducing plastic waste, and generally living more sustainably: for example, not buying so many clothes, supporting organic farming, or eating local food.  

Together we must wage a campaign against any system that violates human rights and destroys the environment 

18.10.2023