This webinar series, proposed by DTP alumni, will bring attention to the threats to Indigenous Peoples rights, biodiversity and the environment posed by the rapid expansion of Indonesia’s Food Estates strategy in Merauke, West Papua, Indonesia. Local and international NGOs and the UN have raised their concerns about the impacts of the planned developments. The Food Estate strategy has been pursued by successive Indonesian governments, with the involvement of Indonesian and international companies as implementers and beneficiaries. The concerns about the impacts of the planned deforestation in Merauke extend beyond Papua and Indonesia to concerns about what the impacts will be on the climate – with the forests of Papua being described as “the lungs of Asia” – and Asia’s Amazon.
This is currently the largest deforestation project on the planet and is taking place behind the veil of secrecy that Indonesia maintains across Papua, denying access to the UN and independent human rights monitors.
The activities were developed and guided by the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) in partnership with our Indonesian Alumni and PUSAKA. DTP is deeply grateful to the experts and advocate to the experts who shared their knowledge and expertise in these webinars.
The Project Brief provides some more information on objectives, proposed activities and outcomes.
