On Tuesday (27/04/2010) the Obama’s administration held The Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship in Washington DC. By holding the summit Obama wishes to fulfill the commitment he made when he visited Cairo over a year ago. The objective of the summit is to deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim-majority countries (MMC), including their minority populations, and Muslim communities around the world.  

Green Economy and Climate Negotiation: it’s not only about power and money; it is about surviving our life and the life of the future

The discourse on green economy had sprung over the past few years. It is expected that the concept would bring new hope in shaping the world’s economy in time of climate change. LEAD Indonesia believes that the Green Economy can become the key role to reduce the impact of climate change and maintain sustainable development. Greening the economy refers to the process of reconfiguring businesses and infrastructure to deliver better returns on natural, human and economic capital investments. While at the same time the effort will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, extract and use fewer natural resources, create less waste and reduce social disparities.

Lead Associate Training Cohort 15

“Green Economy: Strategic Directions in time of Climate Change”

14 April 2010

Financial Club, Graha Niaga Lt.27, Jl Jend. Sudirman, Jakarta

LEAD Indonesia will conduct its annual LEAD Associate Training tradition or LAT of Cohort 15 with the theme “Green Economy: Strategic Directions in time of Climate Change” for year 2010. Mid careers from any sector of government, business, NGO, academic, and media, who have a vision to bring about changes, are invited to join this opportunity as LEAD Associate Trainee whom will be the LEAD Fellow after completing the training.

The main theme of this year’s LAT is Green Economy: Strategic Directions in time of Climate Change. Green Economy is believed as one of the key role to reduce the impact of climate change and maintain sustainable development. Greening the economy refers to the process of reconfiguring businesses and infrastructure to deliver better returns on natural, human and economic capital investments. While at the same time the effort will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, extract and use fewer natural resources, create less waste and reduce social disparities. By applying the green economy concept to the private sectors, the development is expected to grow sustainably. The first National Session will start in April 14, 2010 and will be opened by a Public Seminar on “Green Economy: Strategic Directions in time of Climate Change”. The public seminar will invite honorable speakers from various background of expertise.

The seminar will be opened by opening remarks from Darwina Widjajanti (Executive Director Yayasan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan/ National Program Director LEAD Indonesia), followed by Ismid Hadad as Chair of Executive Board of Yayasan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan. The seminar will be honored to have Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Gusti Muhammad Hatta (The Environmental Minister of The Republic of Indonesia) or representative from his office, to deliver his keynote speech for the seminar. Prof. Emil Salim (Ketua Dewan Pertimbangan Presiden RI Bidang Ekonomi & Lingkungan and founder & Chair of Governing Board of YPB) will speak about the Global Initiatives in Green Economy. He will also explore the interdependence of human economies and natural ecosystem and the adverse impact of human economic activities to global warming and climate change. Dr. Arianto Patunru (Director LPEM FEUI) will explain the Concept of Green Economy and whether it is the best concept in shaping the world’s economy in time of climate change. Facts related to green economy in global arena and in Indonesia will be explored too. Amanda Katili Niode (Dewan Nasional Perubahan Iklim – The Climate Project Indonesia) will share her knowledge on Climate Change issues. The Climate Change Coping Strategy topic will be brought by Fabby Tumiwa (Executive Director of Institute for Essential Services Reform – IESR). In his presentation Fabby will explain about The political landscape of current climate negotiations and Indonesia’s commitment to reduce 26% of carbon emission (from where and how). Afterwards Buyung Erlangga MSc. (Tim Bidang Neraca Nasional - Biro Pusat Statistik) will speak on The outlook of natural resources for production and its implications to Future Business in time of climate change.

By presenting such speakers, the participants are expected to have  a broader knowledge on climate change issues, moreover green economy as a solution.  The issues shared in the seminar will be the basic knowledge for the LEAD Associate participants to start the training then to apply the knowledge given throughout the whole LEAD Associate Training of Cohort 15. The participants are expected to adapt and apply the concepts of green economy afterwards, both professionally and personally.

The tradition to have LEAD Associate Training started in 1992, as Rio Summit declared the importance of sustainable development. Since then, each year LEAD Network with thirteen offices around the world has conducted LEAD Associate training to promote sustainable development. Now there are more than 2000 LEAD Fellows (who completed the training) from more than 90 countries, professionals in their field: public work, private sector, nonprofit organization, academic institution and mass media. In Indonesia we have 183 LEAD Fellows in 2009.  The national training session will be completed in September 2010 and followed by November 2010 International Session in South Africa where a number of participants from all LEAD Member Program will attend.

Attending the seminar will bring the new understanding that the future starts from now. The development does not start from present, it begins with the future that we would like to secure.  Human being will only survive when it takes into account the ecological system that supports lives and the facts that natural resources need to be shared in justice for all in the path of sustainability of human kind.