Depok, 28 October 2025 – To commemorate the spirit of Youth Pledge Day (Hari Sumpah Pemuda), INKLUSI partners Lakpesdam PBNU and the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI) organised a Youth Jamboree titled “Youth Movement for the Environment and the Prevention of Violence against Children” from 26–28 October 2025 at Kinasih Resort, Depok, West Java.
More than 150 young people from 17 provinces across Indonesia gathered for this event to strengthen the role of the younger generation in responding to the environmental crisis and driving efforts to prevent violence against children. Participants travelled from Central Java, West Java, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sumatra, Aceh, Banten, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Jambi, West Kalimantan, North Maluku, Southwest Papua, Central Sulawesi, West Sumatra, and South Sumatra.
The event served as a collaborative space across religions, cultures, and communities, where young people engaged in dialogue, learned, and formulated concrete steps to face social and ecological crises.
“Youth are the primary catalysts in achieving sustainable development. They are not merely agents of change, but architects of the future who drive social and economic transformation through creativity and cross-border collaboration,” said Mahendra Arfan Azhar, Middle Expert Planner at AKPO Bappenas. He added that the voices and recommendations of the youth in this Jamboree align with the direction of national development.
The opening session discussed the links between climate change, poverty, and social inequality. Research from UNICEF and UNFPA shows that the increasing intensity of climate change can exacerbate the risk of child marriage, particularly in communities that lose their livelihoods due to disasters and environmental degradation.
“The environmental crisis and violence against children are two sides of the same injustice. Young people need to be leaders who are not only vocal but also solution-oriented in building change within their own communities,” said the Director of Lakpesdam PBNU, Asrul Raman.
The forum encouraged participants to not only understand the impacts of the crisis but also to collaborate in finding solutions through thematic sessions and educational games that blended social reflection, creativity, and community action.
“Environmental issues and child protection must be viewed holistically as both concern the future of generations. Young people possess the innovation and empathy required to bridge these issues,” said the Chairperson of the National PKBI Board, Ichsan Malik.
As the highlight of the event, participants declared a series of national recommendations highlighting three main pillars:
- Environment: Equitable access to environmental information for indigenous communities and people with disabilities; enforcement of sanctions against environmental offenders; waste management based on a circular economy involving youth; and the acceleration of the passing of the Indigenous Peoples Bill.
- Child Marriage: The formation of Sexual Violence Crime (TPKS) Task Forces in schools and villages; strict monitoring of marriage dispensations; the integration of reproductive health education into the curriculum; and child-responsive budgeting by local governments.
- Child Protection: Implementation of restorative justice for children in conflict with the law; inclusive education services; and the strengthening of an anti-bullying culture based on empathy and equality.
“We come from different backgrounds, but we share the same dream: a future where the Earth is not ruined and children can grow up free from violence,” said Devy, a participant from Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua.
Elena Martin Avila, First Secretary for GEDSI at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Jakarta, commended the event for strengthening spaces for meaningful youth participation. “Indonesian youth are the leaders of today. Their support for environmental issues and child protection is an investment in an inclusive and just future,” she said.
To ensure the sustainability of the movement, Jamboree participants elected the President of Indonesian Youth (Presiden Orang Muda Indonesia – POMI), tasked with coordinating the follow-up of the recommendations and strengthening youth movement networks across various regions. Through a voting process, Suparianto from North Sulawesi was elected as POMI.
“We will follow up on various recommendations with digital campaigns and invite the participation of young people from all regions to move together. It is time to unite our vision and continue striving to realise ‘Golden Indonesia’ (Indonesia Emas),” said Suparianto.
Moving forward, POMI will strengthen the consolidation started at the Youth Jamboree and expand networks in regions and institutions not yet involved. All participants also affirmed their commitment to continue networking, conducting environmental campaigns, and expanding the movement to prevent violence against children in their respective areas. The spirit of the Youth Pledge serves as a reminder that great change always begins with the courage of young people to act.
