POV Community Indonesia Sparks Collaboration for Biodiversity and Justice
POV Community: Talkshow III – Regenerating Our Future
Collaboration Between Communities, Indigenous Peoples, and Businesses for Biodiversity
Indonesia, May 24 2025 — In commemoration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Power of Voice (POV) Community held its third talkshow under the theme “Regenerating Our Future: Collaboration Between Communities, Indigenous Peoples, and Businesses for Biodiversity.” The forum served as a cross-sector dialogue space that brought together three key forces: Indigenous communities, local grassroots movements, and the sustainable business sector.
The talkshow featured three speakers representing key sectors:
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Hengky Manalu, Organizational Bureau of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN)
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Michelin Sallata, Founder of grassroots community POMANARA
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Akmal Budiman, Sustainability Practitioner
POV Community's Commitment: Uniting Voices, Nurturing the Future
In her opening remarks, Lucia Damanik, Founder of POV Community, shared her hope that this talkshow would serve as a collaborative bridge connecting diverse perspectives in the pursuit of a just and sustainable future.
“We believe that a sustainable future can only be built if we create space to truly listen. Local communities, Indigenous peoples, and business actors must come together—not to blame, but to find our way home: back to a harmonious relationship between people and nature,” Lucia stated.
Lucia emphasized that POV Community was born out of a collective concern and hope to amplify the voices that are often unheard in public spaces—particularly those of grassroots communities, women, youth, and Indigenous groups.
“We created POV as a space for intersectional and intergenerational encounters. Because we know that change doesn’t only come from the top—it begins in small spaces, in the courage to speak up, and the willingness to listen,” she added.
Bridging Local Wisdom and Global Strategies
Hengky Manalu highlighted the long-standing role of Indigenous peoples as guardians of biodiversity. He emphasized that the recognition and protection of customary territories are essential to preserving ecosystems.
“Biodiversity is not just a resource—it is part of Indigenous identity. Protecting forests means protecting life,” Hengky said. He also voiced support for movements such as #TutupTPL in Tano Batak, which defends customary lands and forest conservation.
Michelin Sallata underscored the power of local communities in environmental protection, especially when they are given meaningful space to participate.
“We believe in the strength of local collaboration—from women and youth to Indigenous peoples. They are not development objects; they are key partners in sustainability,” she explained.
Akmal Budiman, speaking from a professional and corporate sustainability perspective, pointed out the need to strengthen the public narrative on biodiversity loss—an issue that often receives less attention than climate change.
“The biodiversity crisis is a shadow of the climate crisis. But its narrative has yet to truly reach the public. We need to bring this issue closer to people’s everyday lives,” he said.
Closing: Regeneration Begins with Collaboration
The talkshow concluded with a spirit of collaboration to protect the planet and advance a just future. Participants such as Riska Situmorang reminded the audience that conservation practices have long existed in Indigenous cultures.
POV Community reaffirmed its commitment to being a dialogic space that connects communities, professionals, and policy actors—hoping to transform regeneration from a concept into a growing collective movement.
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