“I belong to the Kasepuhan Cirompang. We are part of the indigenous people of the Sundaneses. We have been living in harmony with nature and in connection with our ancestors for centuries.  

My village of Cirompang is located in the west of the island of Java in the middle of tropical highland forests. Everything we need gives us the forest: food, medicine, clean water and a place that combines us spiritually with our ancestors. 

But the forest is cleared: for wood, for the cultivation of crops and for the search for mineral resources. This destroys the fertility of the soil and makes it vulnerable to erosion. It makes floods increase and dries out rice fields. The peasant families have to accept significant loss of yield. The result is school leaving and malnutrition. Parents can no longer take care of their children sufficiently because they are overloaded by securing their economic needs. Some went into town to make more money. 
 

Adat - traditions, knowledge, rules and wisdom 

I have been active at the Kasepuhan Cirompang Indigenous Youth Community (Kisancang) since 2018. The group is part of the Kasepuhan youth network, which is campaigning 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-related adat education. Adat, these are traditions, knowledge, rules and wisdom that are passed on from generation to generation. 

As a rule, the interests of the indonesia of Indonesia are subordinate to economic interests. That is why we are committed to the local and national government for topics such as clean water, nutritional sovereignty and the recognition of the Adat haben law.  

"There are many interest groups that our actions do not like"

There are many interest groups that our actions do not like. Mining companies, lumberjacks and politicians fear that their profit and influence will disappear. In 2022, Kisancang stood against some gold graves who wanted to dig up in our area. Together with our community, we managed to stop them. Such actions are not without risk. But since most members of our community and the oldest support us, we can withstand pressure and secure the area. 

We do what we can do. But the children and adolescents of Indonesia need the support of the international community as well as national and local governments. 
 

Anchor children's rights in environmental policy  

The United Nations has asked the countries that have ratified the convention of the rights of the child to immediately take measures to protect the climate and the environment. Now Indonesia has to take concrete steps and anchor children's rights in environmental policy. This includes that  

• Politics take into account the effects of the environment on the well -being of the children and campaign for their protection.
• Context -related environmental education is integrated into the curricula.
• Indonesia takes measures to protect children from the increasingly serious effects of climate change.
• Children are involved in environmentally relevant decision -making processes. You must have the right to comment on topics that affect your future - and you have to be heard.
• Existing laws and regulations for the protection of the environment and culture can be effectively implemented.  

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

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

And I hope that every single one makes his contribution. By saving energy, reducing plastic waste and generally sustainable: do not buy so many items of clothing, for example, promote ecological agriculture or eat food from the region.  

Together we have to lead a campaign against every system that violates human rights and destroys the environment. " 

18.10.2023