www.unri.ac.id – Indonesia is the world's largest producer and exporter of palm oil. Palm oil has made a significant contribution to the Indonesian economy as a whole. Since the first oil palm plantations were established in East Sumatra during the Dutch colonial period, expansion has continued. Especially since the 1970s, expansion has accelerated, and plantations are now found not only in Sumatra but also on the islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua.
Riau, as one of the largest palm oil plantation regions in Indonesia, contributes not only to the national income but also to the general public economy. To understand the current state of palm oil plantation development, particularly in Riau, related to biodiversity conservation and fire prevention strategies, the Center for Disaster Studies, an environmental research institution within the University of Riau, will hold an international workshop on sustainable community palm oil plantation management, environmental protection, and forest and land fire management. The study will focus on prospective fostered villages in Pelalawan Regency.
The workshop seminar is scheduled to be held on July 30, 2015, at the LPPM UR building. The event is open to environmental observers, lecturers, and the general public who are interested in contributing their writings to the event. "We are opening the widest opportunity for lecturers, researchers, observers, or the general public, both local and international, who want to contribute their writings and become presenters at the international workshop this coming July," said Zuli Laili Isnaini SS MA, who is a member of the committee and a member of the UR PSB.
Met in a different location, the Chairman of PSB UR, Dr Haris Gunawan, said that concerns about the environment, especially in the peatland area in Riau, were one of the benchmarks for holding this international workshop.
"Riau is one of the richest peat swamp areas in Indonesia, and its rapid conversion to oil palm plantations without environmental considerations has led to peat fires. This is detrimental not only to the surrounding communities but also to neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia. The loss of peat swamps equates to the loss of carbon stocks, and the global community is paying close attention to this. Therefore, we are holding this workshop to bring together ideas from not only international but also local experts. Many environmental observers and experts can contribute ideas at the workshop," said Haris, also known as the Peat Expert.
Scheduled on May 19 to 25, 2015 as the initial registration for workshop participants and the registration deadline until May 30, 2015, on May 25, 2015 the presenters can submit their writings (papers) to the event committee, in this case the PSB UR which is located in the Institute for Research and Community Service, Riau University campus. Furthermore, on July 10, 2015 is the deadline for receiving abstracts of the presenters' writings. On July 15-20, 2015, abstracts and writings have been received by the committee.
Bringing in Local and International Researchers
The international workshop in July 2015 will feature many high-ranking officials and speakers from within and outside the country. From Riau, specifically Pelalawan Regency, HM Harris will be present. For your information, Pelalawan has been designated as a foster village by UR. The benchmarks for plantations, food crops, fisheries, and horticulture will be studied through economic, socio-cultural, political, legal, and other natural science approaches. From abroad, Prof. Masaaki Okamoto and Prof. Asc. Osamu Kozan from CSEAS Kyoto University, Prof. Asc. Stephanie Evers from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, Prof. Fabrice Bonn from the United Nations Spain, Prof. Asc. Kuwata from Nanyang Technological University Singapore will be present. From the University of Riau itself, Prof. Ashaluddin Jalil (an urban studies expert and former Rector of Riau University), DR Haris Gunawan and Dr. Sofianita from PSB UR, Prof. Dr. Almasdi Syahza from LPPM UR, and many other researchers and observers will be present.
"We look forward to the contributions of both ideas and concrete actions from researchers and the general public interested in joining us in this international workshop. We will exchange ideas on how to transform communities into more sustainable and resilient ones, as well as share ideas on how to implement biodiversity conservation and fire prevention models at the village level," Haris concluded.
For those of you who are interested in participating as a participant or presenter, please read the requirements below or can come directly to the UR PSB (Disaster Study Center) at the UR LPM Building, UR Panam Campus or can contact Nurul Huda: 085319304849 / nurul_mafda@yahoo.com or Zuli Laili Isnaini: 081392902259 / lulu_zahra@yahoo.com . ***(Hizra – UR ICT)
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