RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Forestry continues to strengthen the role of the younger generation as drivers of forest conservation thru the Forest Youthverse program. This program equips not only participants with knowledge about forestry and the environment, but also encourages the emergence of young leaders who can educate, collaborate, and mobilize forest conservation actions in various regions as part of Indonesia's contribution to global climate change mitigation efforts.

The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, emphasized that the involvement of the younger generation in forest conservation is a strategic investment to produce superior human resources in the forestry sector while also strengthening Indonesia's commitment to environmental sustainability.

"The involvement of young people in forest conservation is not merely symbolic participation, but a strategic investment in the national Green Talent." The sustainability of Indonesia's forests is in the hands of the younger generation who possess ecological awareness and science-based skills," Raja Juli Antoni said in his written statement on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Forest Conservation Generation Development Center (Pusgenri), Luckmi Purwandari, stated that the success of Forest Youthverse is not measured by the number of participants in the program, but rather by the emergence of new activists who can spread knowledge and develop forest conservation actions in their respective communities.

"Forest Youthverse is not designed just to produce participants, but to give birth to movers." When alumni build learning spaces, nurture other young generations, and drive actions in the community, that is where the double effect of mentoring occurs. One generation is nurtured, then nurtures the next generation; one mover grows, then gives birth to another mover," he said.

Thru the Agency for Extension and Human Resource Development (BP2SDM), specifically the Center for Development of Forest Conservation Generations (Pusgenri), youth development has been transformed into a community-based movement. One of the results is the establishment of Terra Future Leader, an initiative by alumni of Forest Youthverse Regional Makassar that mentors 40 young people from various districts and cities in South Sulawesi thru activities in the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) Tabo-Tabo.

The program equips participants with an understanding of the interconnections between forestry, land, food, social issues, and climate change thru approaches such as problem mapping, root cause analysis, field practice, and project-based learning. Participants are also encouraged to identify issues in their environment, formulate solutions, and develop community-based projects, enabling them to become part of the solution to various environmental problems.

The Ministry of Forestry stated that it will continue to strengthen the Forest Youthverse as an ecosystem for learning, collaboration, and action for the younger generation. The government hopes that the emergence of initiatives like Terra Future Leader can be expanded to various regions so that more Indonesian youth actively support forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and the achievement of national climate targets that contribute to the global sustainability agenda.