In 2021, FORCLIME supported the University of Ottow Geissler Papua (UOGP) in facilitating the Free, Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process for the establishment of the Nyei Toro Educational Forest, as well as in identifying the need to establish a Center of Excellence for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping. This FORCLIME support will continue during 2022 in the form of various jointly implemented activities that were decided at a coordination meeting attended by FORCLIME and the UOGP on 9 December 2021 in Jayapura, Papua. The meeting was opened by Vice-Chancellor I of UOGP, George.M. Satya, M.Sc. Ph.D., and was also attended by the Director of Forestry and Water Resources Conservation of the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Dr Nur Hygiawati Rahayu, ST, MSc, as well as representatives of the Planning Bureau of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and representatives of the Center for Conservation and Natural Resources (BBKSDA) Papua.

Based on the discussion, several activities were decided upon for joint implementation during 2022, specifically an internship program for students of the UOGP Forestry Program, further development of the Nyei Toro Educational Forest and capacity building for Educational Forest managers, GIS training for lecturers and students in order to support the development of the Center of Excellence for GIS and mapping, and the establishment of a local committee of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA).

During the meeting, Dr Nur Hygiawari Rahayu, ST, MSc, expressed her appreciation for the implemented FPIC process, stating, “The Nyei Toro Educational Forest is the first Educational Forest in Papua. Hopefully, in the future, this Educational Forest will become an example of sustainable forest management and protection, and will benefit local communities, both at the national and international levels.”

For more information, please contact:
Ruben Yogi, Junior Adviser for GIS and Forest Mapping
Theodora Florida Resubun, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua Province
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces