To conserve Water Resources (SDA), Danone Indonesia together with the Environmental Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia (PSTL FTUI), and several other partners, initiated a movement to educate Elementary School (SD) students about SDA. This movement is titled “Water Wise Little Heroes”.
The “Water Wise Little Heroes” movement was realized by holding socialization and training for teachers in the form of Training of Trainers (ToT), on (2/10) at the KAUM Restaurant, Jakarta. The main objective of this Water Wise Little Heroes movement is to increase knowledge and encourage action for change since childhood regarding SDA.
Dr. Cindy Rianti Priadi, Chair of PSTL FTUI gave her response to this superior collaboration between FTUI and Danone Indonesia, “The educational movement titled “Water Wise Little Heroes” started from the problem of SDA in Indonesia which is currently focused on the availability, quality, and sustainability of water. According to a 2001 USAID report, the demand for water in Indonesia currently exceeds the available water supply. 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 crisis in water availability is also driven by climate change which increases the frequency, intensity, and duration of water disasters, such as droughts, floods, and rising sea levels. It is truly a worrying threat,” he 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 the various problems of existing natural resources, FTUI is also actively trying to provide counseling to encourage changes in the behavior of various parties, in this case also children as little heroes in terms of instilling the spirit of maintaining the quality of Indonesian 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, trial activities have been carried out in the form of science experiments that offer learning project experiences for elementary school students, with the hope of increasing knowledge about natural resources and their management.
The ToT activity is planned to involve 60 teachers from 60 schools in 30 provinces. The implementation will be in 2 waves, namely Wave 1 in October to December 2023. Then, Wave 2 which 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 Water Resources problems in Indonesia, providing counseling to children is the most impactful form that can be 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 to become the baton of sustainable natural resources in Indonesia,” said Prof. Heri.
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia