Safety Culture and Disaster Mitigation Must Be Instilled from an Early Age

Safety is not solely a responsibility within the workplace but also a life skill that needs to be understood from an early age. Amidst growing challenges related to health, disasters, the environment, and digital security, safety education for the younger generation is considered increasingly important to build a society more prepared to face various future risks. This spirit formed the basis of the Global Volunteer Week 2026 organised by PT Krakatau Posco with the theme ‘Sharing that Protect Everyone’s Everyday Life, Safety for All.’ The programme presented various educational activities aimed at raising students’ awareness of safety, health, environmental, and digital literacy aspects. Global Volunteer Week is an annual programme consistently run by the POSCO Group since 2010. Through this activity, more than 20,000 POSCO Group employees in various countries are involved in social actions as a form of contribution to the community. In Indonesia, activities were centred at SMP Negeri 4 Cilegon, involving more than 500 volunteers from Krakatau Posco, KPSE, and the Partner Forum (FMK). The programme ran for nine days, from 4 to 12 June 2026. Volunteers provided education through six classes designed to address various challenges faced by today’s youth. In the Early Fire & Disaster Response Education session, students gained an understanding of disaster mitigation and the steps to take when facing emergency conditions such as fires or natural disasters. This education is expected to improve preparedness and rapid response capabilities from school age. Meanwhile, through CPR Training, students were introduced to basic life support and first aid techniques for cardiac arrest and other emergency situations. This knowledge is considered important to increase the chances of survival before professional medical help is available. Health aspects were also a focus through a Health Talk session on the importance of healthy eating patterns for children. Students were invited to understand the benefits of consuming nutritious food and adopting a healthy lifestyle to support optimal growth and development. In the digital era, understanding safe technology use is an increasingly important need. Through a class on Education on Creating Safe Social Media Content, students received education on social media ethics, creating positive content, and the importance of maintaining a digital footprint. This material was reinforced through IT Security Training which discussed personal data protection, cybercrime threats, and responsible technology use. Environmental awareness was also part of the programme through the Waste Separation Campaign & Education. In this activity, students were invited to understand the importance of sorting waste from the source as a simple step that can have a major impact on the environment. The programme also introduced waste management practices applied within Krakatau Posco as part of the company’s sustainability culture. As the culmination of the event, Krakatau Posco held a closing ceremony on 9 June 2026 attended by Cilegon Deputy Mayor Fajar Hadi Prabowo, Krakatau Posco President Director Kim Young Joong, Krakatau Posco HR & GA Director Iip Arief Budiman, company management, and representatives from the local government and schools. Cilegon Deputy Mayor Fajar Hadi Prabowo appreciated the company’s efforts to extend the safety culture to the community. ‘If there is one thing I always remember from Krakatau Posco, it is its safety culture. From today’s activities, it is clear that Krakatau Posco instils safety aspects in every step, not only within the company environment but also to the community. I really appreciate this,’ he said. The Head of SMP Negeri 4 Cilegon, Dian Sudiono, assessed that the programme was relevant to the students’ needs while supporting the school’s efforts to develop a culture of healthy living and environmental care. ‘Besides providing support in improving school facilities, the programme run by Krakatau Posco is highly suited to our students’ needs,’ he said. Meanwhile, Krakatau Posco President Director Kim Young Joong affirmed that the company wants to continue growing with the community through various programmes that provide tangible benefits. ‘As a company, we are not only focused on profit, but also want to grow together and share happiness with the community around us,’ he said. Through Global Volunteer Week 2026, Krakatau Posco and its partners demonstrated that a safety culture can be built through sustainable education. Collaboration between the business world, government, schools, and the community is expected to create a generation that is more safety-conscious, environmentally caring, healthy, and ready to face future challenges.