11-14 May, the Borneo Youth Camp 2023, organized by OIC Youth Indonesia, DPD IMM West Kalimantan, and NYC Indonesia, with support of the Eurasian Regional Center of Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF-ERC), the Asian African Youth Government (AAYG), West Kalimantan Provincial Government, Kubu Raya Regency, DPP IMM, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture of Indonesia, Plasticpay, DPP PPMI, People’s Consultative Assembly of Indonesia was held. The event took place in Pontianak City, Indonesia.70 students attended the camp from various regional, national, and international universities. In addition, 400 young people joined the opening ceremony from various universities in the West Kalimantan region.At the opening ceremony, Assistant Deputy Minister of Human Development and Culture of Indonesia Ms. Linda Restaningrum, Regent of Kubu Raya H.E. Muda Mahendrawan, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) H.E. Ahmad Muzani, Chairman of DPD IMM West Kalimantan Mr. Fadhil Mahdi, President of OIC Youth Indonesia Ms. Astrid Nadya Rizqita, Acting Director General of ICYF-ERC Mr. Vusal Gurbanov delivered a speech. Under the theme “Youth for Environmental Action and Sustainability,” the event aimed to provide a global platform to explore the potential of young generations who are ready to become public leaders with a focus on environmental sustainability, tolerance, and entrepreneurship.Besides, the overarching theme “Youth for Environmental Action and Sustainability,” the camp also addressed several sub-themes, including Green Economy and Entrepreneurship, Interfaith Dialogue and Leadership for the Environment, Advancing Youth in STEM for Sustainability, and Landmine Youth Action.During the camp, participants engaged in various activities, including bringing used plastic bottles as entry tickets, panel sessions, focus group discussions (FGD) and presentations, city tours, cultural shows, declaration, and symbolic tree planting.
Fadhil Mahdi, the Chairman of the West Kalimantan Regional Board of IMM, stated that this event would inspire and foster collaboration among youth to build and implement sustainable development concepts for the progress and future well-being of society.Astrid Nadya Risqita, the President of OIC Youth Indonesia, emphasized that the conventional development pattern that exploits the environment extensively is outdated and needs to be replaced with sustainable development practices.Aligned with the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda, the Borneo Youth Camp provides an opportunity for young people to engage and contribute to peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts.
The Borneo Youth Camp serves as a platform for youth to come together, exchange ideas, and collaborate in addressing environmental challenges, promoting sustainable practices, and creating a better future for themselves and their communities. By fostering cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue, the camp aims to promote mutual respect and understanding among participants from diverse backgrounds, empowering them to work together towards environmental preservation and harmonious coexistence.