Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiarto is encouraging\nregional heads to change their development paradigm so that it is not\nsolely oriented towards economic growth. He said that social, cultural,\nand ecological sustainability, as well as the benefits of development\nfor future generations, must also be considered. This shift in\nperspective is deemed important to prevent clashes between the interests\nof economic growth, indigenous communities, and environmental\npreservation.<\/p>\n
Bima said regional heads need to have a comprehensive perspective\nwhen formulating development policies. Policies should not only focus on\npopularity, meeting basic needs, or regulation, but also need to\nconsider cultural heritage, natural wealth, and customary law that\ndevelop in the regions. Therefore, community involvement is important in\nevery decision related to the use of an area.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur challenge is how every plan meaningfully involves and listens to\nindigenous leaders and long-standing ecological advocates,\u201d Bima said\nduring his remarks at the People\u2019s Environmental Week event titled\n\u201cMovement to Recover Indonesia for Ecological Justice\u201d at the Riau Malay\nCustomary Institution Hall in Pekanbaru on Friday (21\/8).<\/p>\n
Bima encouraged the paradigm shift to be translated into concrete\nregional policies. One way is through accelerating the recognition of\ncustomary law communities through regional regulations. He noted that\nsome regions already have regional regulations concerning indigenous\ncommunities but have not implemented them, while others do not yet have\nsuch regulations at all.<\/p>\n
In addition to recognising customary law communities, Bima stressed\nthe importance of integrating the principle of ecological balance into\nspatial planning. According to him, spatial planning should not be\nviewed merely as an administrative complement, but must serve as the\nfoundation for the entire design of regional development.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll planning designs based on spatial planning should also breathe a\nconcern for ecological balance. Not only in certain areas where\ncustomary law elements are dominant, but in all regions,\u201d Bima said.<\/p>\n
The perspective on indigenous communities is also evolving.\nPreviously viewed mostly as objects of development, they later came to\nbe seen as groups needing protection. This view has since shifted to\npositioning indigenous communities as rights holders, and now as primary\nguardians of nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only making indigenous communities objects but subjects. Not\nonly focusing on regulation, but also collaborating and co-creating,\u201d\nBima said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the co-creation approach places communities as\nactive participants in the development process, from designing,\nthinking, implementing, to jointly overseeing policies. With this\napproach, indigenous communities are not merely accommodated but also\nhelp determine the direction of development that affects their living\nspaces.<\/p>\n
Bima also expressed appreciation to environmental advocates and\nactivists who have contributed to protecting nature. He said the\nIndonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) and environmental activists\ncan serve as a bridge between indigenous communities, local wisdom, and\npolicymakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope our friends at WALHI can be a bridge between indigenous\ncommunities, between local wisdom and existing policymakers,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Bima affirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is ready to\ncollaborate with regional governments, indigenous communities, and\nenvironmental advocates to promote development that maintains balance\nwhile achieving ecological justice.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bima-arya-urges-regional-heads-to-shift-development-paradigm-1787302376", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }