After successful implementations in 2019 and 2020, this year, FORCLIME is set to continue its internship programme. Coordination meetings organised in order to prepare for the implementation of this internship programme were held with representatives from Cenderawasih University (13 August 2021) in Papua and Papua University (19 August 2021) in West Papua. The implementation of the internship program will be synergized with the health and forest conservation programme for communities in and around forests in an effort to harmonize human health and forest health within Tanah Papua. The program is currently in its preparatory stage that encompasses a feasibility study involving interns from the Papua and Cenderawasih universities. The selection process for apprentices is carried out by each university with facilitation being provided by the FORCLIME team in Papua and West Papua. After the selection, six students from the University of Papua and four from the University of Cenderawasih will participate in the FORCLIME internship programme and engage in a feasibility study for a forest conservation-based public health programme that will be implemented by the Alam Lestari Foundation (ASRI). This activity will be carried out in Jayapura Regency (Papua Province) and Tambrauw Regency (West Papua Province), while the results of the feasibility study will determine the type of programme that will ultimately be implemented, which will relate to conservation-based health services through a consideration of the socio-cultural characteristics of the local community. It is expected that students will be able to commence their internships in October 2021.

For more information, please contact:
Rut M Ohoiwutun, Junior Adviser for community forestry and hutan adat, Papua
Melanesia Brigite Boseren, Junior adviser for rural livelihood, forest management and conservation in West Papua
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic area manager for sustainable forest management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces