Webinar – Human Rights, Climate Change, Business and Indigenous Peoples: Indonesia’s Food Estate in Merauke and Its Impacts: Indonesia’s Climate Bomb

This is the third webinar in a dedicated series that explored 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. Promoted as necessary for national food security, it conflicts with Indonesia’s international commitments on climate change, biodiversity and human rights – and international standards on Free, Prior and Informed Consent.  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 third webinar discussed the findings of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) regarding the Merauke National Strategic Project (PSN). The project itself has drawn international public attention at COP Brazil 2025, along with expressions of solidarity from Pacific countries. At the upcoming COP in Turkiye, Australia will serve as a co-host for the pre-COP meeting in partnership with Pacific countries.

NOTE: At least half an hour will be allocated for questions and answers, and comments. Through the webinar, and after, useful links will be shared.

Speakers

Dina Maria Danomira is an indigenous activist based in Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia. She belongs to the Moor, Biak and Wondama Peoples in the Saireri Territory of Papua. Advocating for climate justice since the age of 13, she has participated in COPs and international summits as a youth activist. Her most significant achievement is founding Papua Trada Sampah with her friends in 2018, a grassroots movement focusing on waste management, which has expanded to other cities in West Papua. She is a YSEALI WLA 2023 alumni, a 2024 OHCHR Indigenous Fellow, and a DTP alumni in the 33rd Annual Human Rights & People’s Diplomacy Training Program in Timor-Leste. Nowadays, she helps to consult legal aid institutes and CSOs regarding international human rights mechanisms.

Dina - DTP Webinar Food Estate

Saurlin P. Siagian (S. Sos., MA) is the Commissioner for Monitoring & Investigation of the National Human Rights Commission at Komnas HAM, Indonesia’s independent
national human rights institution based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Siagian has held this position since 2022. Siagian is an academic, activist, and researcher. Saurlin earned his bachelor's degree from the University of North Sumatra in 2001 and earned his master's degree, majoring in Human Rights, Development and Social Justice at the ISS The Hague. Saurlin also draws on his activist experience and experience as a Toba Batak man. He has also been the Chair of the People's Forest Institute and is also a member of the North Sumatra Regional Forestry Council.

Saurlin's presentation

This webinar will be in English and it will be moderated by DTP alumnus, Eko Waluyo, National Coordinator of Indonesian Solidarity, a Sydney-based human rights NGO promoting awareness of human rights issues in Indonesia to the Australian public.

The webinar is being hosted by the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) and its Indonesian Alumni Network and Pusaka.

Brochure