Environment forum Walhi gets new leaders<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi)
\nyesterday elected Emmy Hafild, formerly the director of the
\ngroup's special programs, as its new executive director.<\/p>\n
Emmy's election followed the appointment of lawyer Nursyahbani
\nKatjasungkana as chairperson of the newly established National
\nCouncil, which will oversee the executive board's operations.<\/p>\n
Their appointments came during the conclusion of Walhi's six-
\nday congress in nearby Bogor.<\/p>\n
Emmy, who holds a master's degree in environmental economics
\nfrom Madison University in Wisconsin, was chosen for the post
\nfollowing the disqualification of all other possible candidates
\nduring the nomination process for not meeting the criteria.<\/p>\n
Of the 19 regional forums who took part in the election, 17
\nvoted for Emmy, with two others abstaining. She replaced
\nZulkarnain M.S., who has headed Walhi's executive board for the
\nlast three years.<\/p>\n
The congress also appointed two deputies to accompany Emmy:
\nIman Masfardi, a lawyer, and Arimbi Heruputri, who has a master's
\nin environmental law from Dalhousie University in Halifax,
\nCanada.<\/p>\n
Walhi, established in 1980, has become Indonesia's leading
\nenvironmental campaigner, a position that has often caused it to
\nface the government head on over controversial issues.<\/p>\n
The group is currently spearheading Indonesia's anti-nuclear
\nmovement. It has also taken the government and companies such as
\nAmerican mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia to court.<\/p>\n
At the Bogor conference, Walhi decided to open up its
\nmembership for the first time to individuals, including members
\nof the public. Previously, the group's membership comprised
\nenvironmental organizations and nature-lover groups.<\/p>\n
Walhi spokeswoman Taty Krisnawati said the forum is also
\nconsidering opening its doors to civil servants and members of
\npolitical parties.<\/p>\n
Lecturers at state universities, for example, are possible
\ntargets of this policy.<\/p>\n
The congress appointed a watchdog body to monitor the
\nactivities of Walhi's members and ensure that they comply with
\nthe group's code of ethics. The body consists of seven members
\nselected from the organization's regional offices.<\/p>\n
Arimbi told The Jakarta Post that the forum hopes to continue
\nto convince the general public that environmental conservation
\nshould be the concern of everyone, and not only Walhi.<\/p>\n
\"We will continue to advocate the people's rights to a better
\nenvironment,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Sources said the congress discussed the suggestion of turning
\nWalhi into a more formal organization from its present loose
\nforum structure.<\/p>\n
Those who supported the plan said the change would make Walhi
\nmore effective in advocating environmental issues. Some, however,
\nwanted to retain Walhi's current structure, as it would allow
\nthem flexibility in joining other organizations.<\/p>\n
The congress also debated on the funding of Walhi's
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
Arimbi said Walhi has been receiving most of its funds from
\nthe United States Agency for International Development (USAID),
\nthe Ford Foundation, the Swedish International Development Agency
\n(SIDA) and the state-owned Environment Development Agency (BPL).
\n(16)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/environment-forum-walhi-gets-new-leaders-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}