The First-Ever Water Day Ambassador Honors Indonesia's Young Generation to Innovate Water Management
It unveils two winners, taking role as spokesperson to promote the government program across schools in nationwide.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, April
13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Directorate General
of Water Resources, Ministry of Public
Works and Housing of Republic Indonesia, held Indonesia's
first-ever water day ambassador competitions on April 10, 2018, to celebrate
the 2018 World Water Day. Involving more
than 50 high school and vocational students from 5 cities in
Indonesia (Jabodetabek), all participants run through a 5-minutes speech
competition, presenting their most compelling ideas to save water and preserve
the environment. Of the 10 finalists, two selected young ambassadors of water
day are expected to inspire water conservation awareness and action through
social media platform and across schools in Indonesia.
All finalists paraded their views to stage, where they
forged to display further researches on clean water shortages in Jakarta and
whereabouts. According to a BBC report, Jakarta is the world's fifth most
threatened city by water shortages and the main reason is massive losses of
ground water.
The waste of a staggering 1,500 tonnes of trashes being
thrown to Ciliwung, a long river flowing through West Java and Jakarta, also
exacerbates the clean water scarcity in Jakarta.
"Developing new infrastructures may be a good solution.
However, the fundamental itself is a real movement of human participation. Now,
it is time for students and young generation to take turns, initiating a most
water-saving breakthroughs to preserve nature for water," said Imam
Santoso, Directorate General of Water Resources.
Innovative Ideas from Winners, for the Better
Future.
Muhammad Daffa Hakim from SMAN 46 Jakarta, chosen as Young
Ambassador of Water Day, successfully impressed the judges through innovative
curbside trash cans idea. "I will create the new trend of throwing trash.
Particularly in waterfront area, there will be couple of trash cans, each
indicate number 1 to 5. All the cans led by a question on how do you
rate your sunset today? Next, throw your trash to any can which represent
your rate number. The point is, to create the experience of disposing garbage
properly, as compelling as tapping your thumb on social media feeds,"
Daffa explains.
The other winner, Alethea Nadine from SMA Tunas Bangsa
Greenville Jakarta adds, "To lead a successful movement, we need to change
people mindset on how important water to our lives and be the example. However,
it is important for government to raise public awareness through related
counseling and competition program, as well as go straight into the area and
solve problem."
Recently, the Directorate General has just initiated
movement to clean up the river, all at once with local people and communities
in 34 cities in Indonesia. "To remain successful, we need art, love, and
true feeling of people in doing all the efforts. Through this kind of competition,
we can always grow our inner art and emotion. Of this, we rely on young
generation," said Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Public Works and Housing
of Republic Indonesia.
To incorporate the Water Day Ambassador competition, the
event series also include choir and traditional dance competition. Of up
to 25 participants within Greater Jakarta, Etniez Choir from SMAN 2,
Bekasi was chosen as the first winner, while the traditional dance competition
was topped by Tra Art Dance from SMKN 57 Jakarta.
About Directorate General of Water Resources
The Directorate General of Water Resources, under the
Ministry of Public Works and Housing, has critical roles in formulating and
implementing water resources management policies, provided in compliance with
relevant legislation.
In order to perform their duties in accordance with the
Directorate General of Water Resources, their functions are: policy formulation
in the field of water resources conservation, utilization of water resources
and to control water damage on surface water resources, and utilization of
groundwater in accordance with the provisions of
legislation; implementation of integrated water resource management
in compliance with the provisions of legislation; preparation of the
norms, standards, procedures, and criteria in the field of water resources
management; provision of technical guidance and supervision related
to water resources management; implementation of evaluation and reporting
regarding to water resources management; implementation of the administration
of the Directorate General of Water Resources; and implementation of
other functions provided by the Minister.