12 June 2023
Anonymous Writer
The Forestry Study Program at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and the Center for Social Forestry Development Studies (PUSKABANGHUTSOS) successfully organized a public lecture titled "Climate Change and the Role of Communities in Forest Management". The lecture took place on Saturday, June 10, 2023, in the USU Faculty of Forestry classroom. This event served as the final semester assignment for the Forestry Policy and Legislation course, attended by most second-semester Forestry Study Program students, with the organizing committee comprising students from the 2022 cohort.
The lecture featured two experienced speakers: Ir. E.G. Togu Manurung, M.S., Ph.D., a lecturer from the Faculty of Forestry and Environment at IPB University, and Masrizal Saraan, S.Hut., M.Si., Director of Yayasan Pesona Tropis Alam Indonesia (PETAI). They shared insights on climate change and the role of communities in forest management.
Ir. E.G. Togu Manurung explained that climate change is an urgent issue with widespread impacts. He presented data on the indications and effects of climate change, including predictions that 2024 could bring significant climate-related challenges. He emphasized the importance of community participation in forest management to mitigate and prevent climate change. Activities such as tree planting, reducing illegal logging, and sustainable forest resource management are vital conservation efforts.
Meanwhile, Masrizal Saraan shared his experiences as a field practitioner in social forestry in North Sumatra. He highlighted the importance of empowering communities in forest conservation and the need for strong collaboration between governments, NGOs, and local communities. He also stressed the necessity of educating communities on the importance of forest conservation.
Dr. Oding Affandi, the coordinator of the Forestry Policy and Legislation course, praised the public lecture. He stated that the activity serves as a learning model that can be expanded to prepare students for larger events in the future.
“This is a concept that can be developed further to organize larger events. The students’ abilities are outstanding, and we truly appreciate them,” said Oding.
Oding also affirmed that the theme of climate change is highly relevant as it remains a pressing global concern. He expressed hope that the USU Faculty of Forestry would continue facilitating similar activities and encouraging students to take an active role in sustainable forest management.
“I hope the students can prepare themselves to contribute in fields such as technology, conservation, cultivation, or management in the future,” concluded Oding.
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