In an effort to conserve Water Resources (SDA), Danone Indonesia together with the Environmental Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (PSTL FTUI) and several other partners, initiated a movement to educate elementary school students about SDA. This movement is entitled “Water Wise Little Heroes”.
The “Water Wise Little Heroes” movement was realised by organizing socialization and training for teachers in the form of Training of Trainers (ToT), on (2/10) at KAUM Restaurant, Jakarta. The Water Wise Little Heroes movement actually has the main objective to increase knowledge and encourage action for change from a young age regarding natural resources.
Dr. Cindy Rianti Priadi, Chairperson of PSTL FTUI gave her response to this excellent collaboration between FTUI and Danone Indonesia, “The educational movement entitled “Water Wise Little Heroes” originated from the problem of natural resources in Indonesia which currently revolves around the availability, quality and sustainability of water. Reporting from the USAID report in 2001, that the demand for water in Indonesia currently exceeds the available water supply. In fact, it can be said that Indonesia is currently experiencing a water crisis. This water crisis certainly has an impact on other sectors, such as agriculture. In addition, the water crisis is also driven by climate change, which has increased the frequency, intensity and duration of water disasters, such as droughts, floods and sea level rise. It is a worrying threat,” she said.
Dr Cindy added that the problem of natural resources is also related to pollution. This is proven by the fact that 59% of Indonesia’s water bodies have been polluted by industrial and household waste. “As an educational institution that studies more deeply about various existing natural resource problems, FTUI also makes active efforts in providing counseling to encourage changes in the behaviour of various parties, in this case also children as little heroes in terms of instilling the spirit of maintaining the quality of Indonesia’s natural resources from an early age. The collaboration between Danone Indonesia, FTUI, and several other partners aims to improve natural resources in Indonesia,” he concluded.
The “Water Wise Little Heroes” movement will be implemented from September 2023 to March 2024. In detail, it will provide a comprehensive understanding of water, covering the benefits of water, water characteristics, water circulation, water problems and solutions to current problems.
Currently, a pilot activity has been conducted in the form of a science experiment that offers a learning project experience for elementary school students, with the hope of increasing knowledge about natural resources and their management.
ToT activities are planned to involve 60 teachers from 60 schools in 30 provinces. It will be organised in 2 waves, namely Wave 1 from October to December 2023. Then, Wave 2 will be held from January to March 2024.
Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU.., gave his appreciation for the “Water Wise Little Heroes” movement which was initiated by Danone Indonesia together with FTUI and other partners, “A positive breakthrough and a response to various problems of Water Resources in Indonesia, providing counseling to children is the most impactful form that is done because at this time children will quickly absorb a lot of knowledge about water so that later it can be implemented regarding its management in the future in order to become a baton for the sustainability of natural resources in Indonesia,” said Prof. Heri.
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia