YPB represented by Darwina Widjajanti (Executive Director) has been invited by The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to join advanced International Training Programmes (ITP) of strategic importance to the social, economic, and environmental development in the country. Other Indonesia representatives were from Ministry of Environment and Teachers Institute, Sampoerna Foundation. The International Training in Sweden conducted from September 14 to October 3, 2009, attended by 25 selected participants from Africa (Lesotho, Tanzania, Namibia) and Asia (Laos, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Indonesia).

The main objective of the International Training Program (ITP) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)  was to provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience in ESD, especially in the formal education.  Each participant proposed a change project to discuss and to get expertise support during the training for the proposed change project. YPB submitted a new project for urban youth titled “Climate Smart Leaders” that will be implemented in partnership with Senior High School and Universities. During the training all participants had the update of ESD progress in various sectors (school, policy arena, business community), learned on various methodology in  delivering ESD, and met schools authorities and students, and sharing experience, ideas and brought inputs to sustainable development program from each participant.  Participants also had dinner in the Swedish families and learned daily life issues from in an informal discussion while having Sweden’s cuisine (elk steak,  potato with mushroom sauce,  ice cream with berries, taken  from the forest). It was a fruitful and inspiring opportunities on ESD progress, that will be fruitful to be included in YPB training programs.

In December 2009, a two weeks workshop will be conducted in India for Asian participants, while the participants from Africa will join the workshop in South Africa. In the  workshop participants are expected to use all facilities and expertise available at CEE or Center for Environmental Education in India (for Asia participants). The 9-month training program that will be completed mid next year, is a joint efforts among countries to perform a better change project on ESD in each country of the participant. For those who have interest in the materials of ITP in Sweden, please contact Gita Meidita, Program Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it