Jakarta, 26 September 2024 – Sustainable Economy plays a crucial role in a country’s development. This concept emphasizes economic growth that does not harm the environment, preserves natural resources, and ensures long-term social welfare. Moreover, a Sustainable Economy seeks to guarantee that future generations can meet their needs. This idea aligns with the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Economic Growth), and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

As a country located on the equator, Indonesia has great potential to implement a Sustainable Economy through approaches such as the Green Economy, Blue Economy, and Circular Economy. Recognizing this opportunity, SDG Academy Indonesia, in collaboration with Pemimpin.id, with support from UNDP Indonesia, Tanoto Foundation, and Bappenas, hosted an SDG Talk with the theme Education and Innovation in Achieving a Sustainable Economy.

In the discussion, Yanuar Nugroho (Coordinator of the SDGs Expert Team, Bappenas), Hannah Al Rashid (Actress and Gender Equality Campaigner), and Zensa Rahman (Pemimpin.id) served as speakers, with Jessica Farolan (Co-Owner of Aethra Learning Center) as the moderator. The speakers invited both in-person and virtual audiences to discuss Indonesia’s contribution to be realizing a Sustainable Economy through education and innovation.

Siprianus Bate Soro, Team Leader of Democratic Governance Poverty Reduction Unit - UNDP Indonesia, in his opening remarks, stated that SDG Talk had been an effective platform to raise awareness and open dialogue on the SDGs. “We hope that the SDG Talk provided an opportunity for Indonesians to learn, understand, and act toward achieving the SDGs. Additionally, it aimed to increase public engagement with the SDGs, thereby driving the development of a Sustainable Economy towards Indonesia Emas 2045,” he said.

Meanwhile, Michael Susanto, Head of Leadership Development and Scholarship at Tanoto Foundation, explained that “Education was a way to shape talents for the Sustainable Economy. Therefore, an educational transformation that focused on behavior change supporting a Sustainable Economy is needed,” highlighting the importance of educational facilities and innovation to maximize Indonesia’s potential in achieving a Sustainable Economy.

Representing Bappenas, Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, Senior Advisor to the Minister for Social Affairs and Poverty Reduction and Head of the National SDGs Secretariat at Bappenas, added, “Innovation was the main catalyst for economic growth. The growth of the creative economy sector reached 6.54% of Indonesia's GDP in 2022, with the digital and technology subsectors playing a significant role in supporting inclusivity and a Sustainable Economy,” he stated.

On behalf of the speakers, Yanuar Nugroho shared during the SDG Talk that “In Indonesia, the adoption of the sustainable economy concept dates back to the 1970s. The sustainable economy represented a paradigm shift where development was not solely for ourselves or anthropocentric but must be ecocentric, placing living creatures and the environment as the primary focus,” he explained.

Awards for Writing Competition Winners and Graduation of the 6th Cohort of the SDGs Leadership Program

This SDG Talk also marked the conclusion of the Sustainable Economy campaign held in celebration of International Literacy Day and the 2024 SDG Annual Conference. The event also marked the finale of the Writing Competition organized by SDG Academy Indonesia, which was themed Empowering Future Leaders: The Role of Education and Innovation in Achieving a Sustainable Economy. From 10 finalists in the student category and 10 finalists in the public category, awards were given to Ilma Indana Sari, Rinda Gusvita, and Debby Zalina as the first, second, and third-place winners in the public category. In the student category, Muhammad Firas Haq, Puan Maharani, and Nadya Ursula took first, second, and third places, respectively. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Ferdinand Limahelu (public category) and Ayu Ratna (student category).

On the same day, 39 graduates of the 6th cohort of the SDGs Leadership Program were awarded the title of SDG-Certified Leader. The graduates came from various sectors, including private, government, academia, and NGOs/CSOs, and participated in two concentrations: Quality Education and Poverty Alleviation. Over five months, from April to August 2024, they underwent intensive learning processes guided by instructors and mentors. The graduates were expected to contribute tangibly to the achievement of the SDGs in their regions and institutions. More information about the graduates of the 6th SDGs Leadership Program can be accessed here. 

Through the SDGs Leadership Program graduation, three Capstone Projects received awards: Best Capstone Project was awarded to Nine Loyok (a project related to expanding market access for women weavers’ products in Lombok), Most Valuable Project was given to Edu Empati (a project focused on Peace Education and Anti-Bullying in schools in Bekasi), and Most Favorite Project went to Patani Unik (a campaign for Urban Farming using the Aquaponics System in Muara Enim, South Sumatra).

With this momentum, Indonesia hopes to be prepared to achieve a Sustainable Economy by Indonesia Emas 2045, with education and innovation serving as the foundation for inclusive and sustainable development.

About SDG Academy Indonesia

SDG Academy Indonesia is a collaboration between Bappenas, Tanoto Foundation, and UNDP Indonesia to enhance public capacity through a knowledge ecosystem related to the SDGs. This capacity-building program was designed for the general public, particularly stakeholders from both governmental and non-governmental sectors, with the goal of preparing leaders to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs in Indonesia. SDG Academy Indonesia hopes that its graduates will ensure sustainable development paths in Indonesia to meet the global agenda by 2030.

Contact Information: 

Radhe Ratih, Radhe.ratih@undp.org (Communication and Campaign Assistant, UNDP Indonesia)

Devi Nugraha, Devi.nugraha@undp.org (Communications Analyst, UNDP Indonesia)