RRI.CO.ID.Jakarta - The Alumni Association of the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Indonesia, in collaboration with IDN Global, the Global Aceh Diaspora, and the Aceh Traditional Council, held a virtual international webinar on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The webinar featured the theme "Lessons Learned from Floods and Landslides in Aceh: Mitigation Strategies Based on Global Environmental Management and Local Wisdom."

This collaboration represents cross-institutional cooperation focused on sustainable environmental issues. The webinar brought together various stakeholders concerned with environmental management.

The discussion centered on the flash floods in Sumatra in November 2025, which struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The rehabilitation and reconstruction process in the affected areas continues, despite various government constraints.

The speakers were members of the Indonesian diaspora who have careers abroad. Their exchange of ideas is expected to form the basis for a more sustainable development direction in Sumatra, particularly Aceh. A global perspective was combined with field experience to formulate applicable strategies.

The event was opened by the Chairperson of the Indonesian National Institute of Disaster Management (ILUNI SIL UI), Andre Notohamijoyo, and the Chair of IDN Global, Nathalia. The keynote speaker was Dr. Ir. Mustafa Abubakar. In his remarks, he emphasized four post-disaster principles. These principles include zero-tolerance law enforcement, mitigation-based RTRW revision, transparent implementation of financial guarantees, and massive restoration of watershed ecosystems.

The discussion featured experts from various fields. Present were Prof. Yusri Yusuf from the Aceh Traditional Council, Mundzir Basri from AtkinsRealis, Dr. Surya Darma from IDN Global and the Aceh Global Diaspora, Galih Dinanata from McGill University, M. Arif Syahrijal from PERHAPI, and Dr. R.H.W. Yudosubroto from the Jakarta Rescue Training Center. The diversity of speakers ensured that the discussion covered customary, technical, economic, and mitigation aspects.

The Chair of ILUNI SIL UI, Andre Notohamijoyo, described the webinar as a learning platform for disaster risk reduction. He emphasized that Indonesia must "build back better" after disasters. Furthermore, the community's collective memory of disasters needs to be preserved. A culture of disaster resilience must become part of everyday life to better prepare communities for risks.

IDN Global Chairperson Nathalia added that dialogue with environmental experts and activists is crucial for formulating mitigation strategies based on local wisdom and global environmental management. She ensured that collaboration with the ILUNI SIL UI will continue. Inspirational discussions like these are expected to produce concrete strategies that can be implemented in disaster-prone areas.

SOURCE : ILUNI SIL UI