RRI.CO.ID, Kupang - In the midst of a special-purpose forest area that serves as a green fortress for Kupang City, 30 of the best young people from various universities and communities in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) gathered for the Forest Youthverse Summit on July 20-21, 2026. The event, themed "Smart Eco-Generation: Sustainable Youth Action for Optimizing the Mapoli Green Fortress and Biodiversity Conservation," aims to introduce the younger generation to a closer relationship with nature.

The Head of the Center for Development of a Generation of Forest Conservationists, Luckmi Purwandari, emphasized that Forest Youthverse is the Ministry of Forestry's strategy to build a youth development ecosystem oriented toward concrete actions, not just training. "We hope that Kupang will produce more Smart Eco-Generations capable of driving forest conservation in East Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia," she said.

She viewed Forest Youthverse as a strategic opportunity to build awareness among young people about forest sustainability from an early age. It also simultaneously strengthens collaboration between various parties in protecting NTT's forest landscape.

"The enthusiasm of the participants throughout the Forest Youthverse series demonstrates the great "The potential of the young generation of East Nusa Tenggara in supporting forest conservation," he said.

The Forest Youthverse Summit is the culmination of a series of training sessions that began with Mentoring Classes and Coaching Classes. Of the 65 participants who attended the Mentoring Class on July 7–9, 2026, 30 of the best participants, known as "Genries," were selected to continue intensive mentoring until reaching the summit, where they will be given a space to implement ideas and strengthen the leadership of the younger generation of forest conservationists.

This event featured a Forest Reflection Circle, a space for participants to share stories and experiences during their forest explorations, and a visit to the Fatukoa Nursery to observe the forest plant nursery process. Participants' camaraderie continued to be fostered through Forest Connection group dynamics sessions in Oelsonbai, before meeting in a Forest Innovation Workshop to develop Innovation Boards to design solutions to various forestry issues in their respective regions.

All participants are expected to become part of the Forest Conservation Generation (Genries) network, which will continue to be mentored to implement innovations and develop forest conservation actions in NTT. Through Forest Youthverse, the Ministry of Forestry strengthens its commitment to developing a young generation that cares about and actively participates in preserving forest resources. Indonesian forests.