Event Report: “Indonesia: A Treasure Trove of Biological Resources and Its Connection to Our Lives

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, we held an international understanding seminar titled “Indonesia: A Treasure Trove of Biological Resources and Its Connection to Our Lives,” co-sponsored by Chigasaki City, at the IKORIA Conference Room.

On the day of the event, we also displayed Indonesian folk crafts and musical instruments to create an international atmosphere. With over 50 participants, the turnout was so high that we had to rearrange the layout of the venue at the last minute.

Our lecturer for this event, Mr. Susumu Takahashi, was the first leader of JICA’s Indonesia Biodiversity Conservation Project and is currently serving as a guest researcher at the Tokyo Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences. Mr. Takahashi provided an easy-to-understand presentation on not only his specialties—environmental policy and biodiversity—but also Indonesian history, culture, and its connections to Japan, using photos he had taken himself. During the break, we also served Indonesian coffee and chocolate, which were very well received. The chocolate was generously provided by Daiichi Confectionery, a company located in Chigasaki City.

The event attracted media coverage from Indonesia, further enhancing its international flavor. Although it’s in Indonesian, we’d like to share a media article about the event. Additionally, the seminar has been featured on the city’s website in the “Chigasaki Daily Calendar,” so we encourage you to check that out as well.

◆ Indonesian Media Article: https://bit.ly/antara240713
◆ Featured in “Chigasaki Daily Calendar”: https://www.city.chigasaki.kanagawa.jp/himekuri/1058987/1059509.html

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants and to everyone involved in the planning and preparation of this event.

We would also like to share a comment from one of the participants (excerpt):
“The venue, surrounded by the atmosphere of Indonesia, was packed with many attendees. Mr. Takahashi, the first leader of JICA’s Indonesia Biodiversity Conservation Project, gave a talk on Indonesia’s history, culture, and issues related to biodiversity. Indonesia is one of the world’s largest archipelagos, a fascinating country with abundant nature and diverse cultures. However, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges it faces, such as environmental destruction caused by oil palm plantations and shrimp farms, and conflicts over biological resources with companies from developed countries. I feel motivated to take practical steps in my own life to contribute to coexistence.”

— International Understanding Group, Yoshihiro Okano