As many of you know, there’s a historical event coming about in Bali these two weeks. It’s the UN Forum on Climate Change. I would love to say that I’m a part of this event, but the fact is I’m not… Unfortunately… or perhaps fortunately?
No, I am a part of the committee for the Civil Society Forum which is a parallel event being held only a few minutes away from the UNFCC. If UNFCC is an international meeting between diplomats from almost every country all over the world, CSF is a national/international forum with participants from almost every NGO in Indonesia. The purpose of this forum is to share, inform and create a common position between environmental organizations within Indonesia and those outside of Indonesia.
As an International Relations studies student, I would have to admit that I’m jealous of everyone who can see and hear the talks in the UNFCC! I really want to hear professional diplomats talk and argue among one another. But, being a part of the CSF has been a reality shock for me. I feel like someone has thrown cold water on my face… I’ve heard testimonials and stories of activists and society from all over Indonesia and there are so many that still leaves me stunned!
For example, a lady from Gedebage, Bandung, talked about government’s plan to build an incinerator in her village. The local government held a meeting to socialize their plans to the society. But before the society could digest the new information, the local government had already used their signatures on the meeting’s attendance list as proof of society’s support towards the plans and the local government is now putting construction signs on top of the people’s land even though they haven’t even agreed in selling it.
Another story was from an old farmer from East Kalimantan, who lives in a small, simple village without electricity. A Korean coal company has bought his land to extract the rich resources that exist below his land. All of the trees in the forest surrounding him has been chopped down for this mining company and now, not only is his village destroyed he also has a hard time farming because without the trees it has become too hot to work above 10, which means he has to work longer hours into the evening.
Another sad story comes from Papua where big oil industries and timber companies are taking away indigenous land for their own profits. In Mooi for example, the indigenous leaders were brought to Medan, promised a lot of money for exchange of their land for a palm oil plantation. But until now, none of the villagers have been paid for their land or the energy that they have put out to plant the palm trees.
Reality is sad for those who are helpless and we really need to question the interests of governments when they enter their air conditioned rooms and cars… The irony of the whole situation is simply heartbreaking! And yet, even the civil society is not in sync with one another. While I was here I’ve witnessed the paradox between words and actions. People yell and scream about the danger of climate change and the helplessness of society and yet they throw garbage wherever, whenever, they smoke around others, and they don’t respect each other in a forum.
As a student, I really do not understand where all of this is coming to and where should I stand amidst all of this… Being a part of the government does not show the possibility of creating change and yet the civil society (not all of course) starts to seem redundant… After we graduate we will meet reality and it will not be as black and white as our textbooks seem to portray… and yet as part of a community we need to take sides. The question is where will you stand? And will your stance affect the direction towards where your arms reach out?
Dhika*Shines
