Speaking at a thanksgiving party after wining a court battle last Dec 23, 2010, regarding the organization`s legitimate status after an overlapping claim from a splinter KNPI group at the Bidakara building here on Monday evening, KNPI General Chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia said the thanks-giving party also coincided with the grand launching of the international youth forum 2011 on climate change.
In its capacity as vice president of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), Indonesia got an opportunity to organize the world- class event like the International Forum on Youth.
"It will be an honor for Indonesia to host this first-ever event," he said.
KNPI was hoping that the event would motivate Indonesia to keep on addressing climate change issues which had become a source of world concern, Ahmad further stressed, adding that climate change was not only the concern of Indonesia, but it was also an international issue that all human being on earth should have a high care on how to preserve the nature in such a good manner.
"It is in the hand of the youths to conserve the forest, natural and marine resources as a way out to overcome the climate change. Hence the youths should be involved in an effort to create a better and sound environment.
Inspired by the existing climate change, KNPI which was in the past concentrated in political issue, should also take the issue on climate change as a big issue by involving the youths, Ahmad said.
In the meantime, Prof Dr Emil Salim, a former environment minister, unveiled the fate of the nation like Indonesia in a few years to come will be in the hand of the youths. Therefore, the step taken by KNPI to involve the youths in this activity was certainly appreciated.
"We don`t make such a concrete step to preserve the nature and rehabilitate the damaged environment, a big risk will be faced by the youths in the future," he said.
In order to promote the international event, KNPI Secretary General Pahlevi, said his side made a tour to some media to intensify the campaign of the activity for which the target was youths in the 13-18 years age group, as they were expected to continue and maintain the environment in the future, or at least in the next 50 years.
To be attended by participants from 120 countries, some international figures such as UN (United Nations) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will deliver their speeches.
Also expected to attend were the UN Environment program Executive Director Achim Steiner, UN Executive Secretary Framework Convention on Climate Change Christiana Figueres and Presidential Advisory Board Member for Environmental Affairs Emil Salim.
The event would be held February 19-20, 2011, for youth festival loving environment (Youth Love Earth Festival) in Jakarta, and include observation visits to three research sites in Indonesia on February 21-26, 2011.
These locations consist of Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, Takabonerate Coral Island in South Sulawesi and Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara.
The first-ever international youth forum for tackling climate change is also supported by the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) and the ASEAN Youth Council, and KNPI. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
