JAKARTA: Forest Interactive Foundation embarks on a partnership with ASEAN Foundation, kicking off with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) event last month in Indonesia, officiating a two-year period of dynamic collaborations.
To kick-start the partnership, an event, titled ASEAN SPOT: 2030 SDG GOALS, Where Are We Now?, was organized in collaboration with ASEAN Foundation and ASEAN Public Relations Network (APRN) at the Auditorium & Performance Hall Prof. Dr. Djajusman, Campus B, LSPR Jakarta, Indonesia.
Featuring attendees made up of SDG practitioners, representatives of local Indonesian foundations, students, and prominent speakers from across the region, the event aimed to also encourage similar partnerships within the region and assess ASEAN’s current standing in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event began with an opening speech from Prita Kemal Gani, Founder & CEO of LSPR Institute of Communication & Business, represented by President of ASEAN PR Network, Candy Hernanadez. Following the speech, Johary Mustapha, Founder & CEO of Forest interactive Foundation, delivered an informative session on the sustainability roadmap, and the reasons why some countries in the Global North are on track to achieve their SDG targets by 2030, whilst aligning them with the South Asian regional context.
Johary further delved into the hurdles and hindrances faced by ASEAN countries and solutions to overcome them. He also encouraged and invited like-minded parties to come forward and help in achieving the SDGs, in particular regard to technology.
“We are now living in a highly globalized era, where the new wave is tech and all-things digital. If we, as a region, are to progress, we need to ensure both our youth and community are fully equipped with the right digital tools and are supported by the right technology,” stated Johary. “Focusing on this one Sustainable Development Goal can have an overall ripple effect on the economy, aiding in the progress of other SDG goals.”
The MOU between Forest Interactive Foundation and ASEAN Foundation seals both parties’ commitment to promote cooperation, knowledge, expertise, and resource sharing in the fields of tech education, digital literacy, youth empowerment, cybersecurity, and community Building within the ASEAN region.
Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, Dr Yang Mee Eng explained that the Foundation was formed in December 1997, and is a cross-country non-political organization in Southeast Asia that focuses on community and social development.
“Our pillars are in arts and culture, community empowerment, education, environment and media. For example, in arts and culture, we have Konnect ASEAN, which is a platform for presenting works of art workers from ASEAN and Korea,” she said.
Both organizations will open doors to knowledge sharing, encouraging inclusivity among both communities and playing an important role in cultivating the youth of tomorrow, specifically in Indonesia and Malaysia, deep diving into the untapped potential of the region and digital technology.
About Forest Interactive Foundation
Founded in 2021, Forest Interactive Foundation aims to nurture and develop talents through sustainable initiatives and programs, establishing empowered communities and upholding sustainable environments for our own people and the world’s future innovators in tech. As the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Forest Interactive and a UN Global Compact member, we are committed to accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the following areas:
- Future Innovators With the goal of developing future innovators in a fast-changing world, we shape initiatives that can help students prepare for a future where they can thrive with technology, one of it being the #seKODlah program.
- People We strive to bring our company’s culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to the broader community. By harnessing our strengths for social good, we are able to empower marginalized communities in our increasingly connected world.
- Community and Environment We are committed to sustainable actions and best practices:
- Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to the needs of others.
- Aim for responsible material inputs that are renewable, recyclable, or reusable.
- Bridge public and private partnerships in support of SDG 17.
- Be a part of the climate accelerator program by implementing SBTi in line with the 1.5°C pathway.
Prior to its establishment, Forest Interactive Foundation, through Forest Interactive, has empowered more than 3500 students and 2,000 people in the communities through more than 38 initiatives. Visit forestcares.org to learn more.
