This is the first webinar in a series exploring the impacts of the rapid expansion of Indonesia’s Food Estates strategy in Merauke, West Papua, Indonesia. It will focus on the threats to Indigenous Peoples rights, biodiversity and the environment. The Food Estate strategy involves large scale deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Promoted as necessary for national food security, it conflicts with Indonesia’s international commitments on climate change, biodiversity and human rights. The impacts of deforestation extend beyond Indonesia’s borders, with predictions it will accelerate global climate heating. Concerns have been raised by local communities, national and international NGO’s and UN human rights experts.
This first webinar will build awareness of the Food Estate, its impacts on Indigenous peoples in Merauke, the local and global environment. Future webinars will look at the Food Estate in the context of government and business commitments to climate action, human rights and environment, and the advocacy to defend the forests and its peoples and cultures.
