Ministry of Religious Affairs Encourages Youth to Drive Eco-Theology

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The role of the younger generation in environmental preservation is increasingly highlighted as the eco-theology movement initiated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) gains momentum. Young people are encouraged to become the driving force for change through tangible actions based on spiritual values. The Directorate General of Community Guidance (Bimas) for Buddhism at Kemenag emphasises the importance of youth involvement in implementing eco-theology down to the grassroots level. This aligns with the priority programmes of Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar over the past two years. Director General of Bimas Buddhism at Kemenag, Supriyadi, stated that strengthening eco-theology should not merely remain at the level of discourse but must be realised through concrete actions involving all layers of society, including the younger generation. According to him, the ecological awareness of young people still needs to be enhanced, particularly amid instant lifestyles that tend to generate a lot of waste. “This is what we should try to raise awareness about among the younger generation themselves,” Supriyadi said during the planting of 676 trees in commemoration of 67 years of service by the Indonesian Supreme Sangha at Vihara Bakti Pramuka, Cibubur, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (1/4/2026). He added that simple steps such as bringing one’s own eating utensils and reducing the use of single-use plastics can serve as entry points for young people to contribute to environmental protection. The commemoration of 67 years of service by the Indonesian Supreme Sangha was utilised by the Indonesian Buddhayana Council (MBI) of DKI Jakarta to strengthen the environmental preservation movement based on spiritual values.