Asian Transformations in Action - Api-fellowships.org

30 PERSISTENT PROBLEMS, PROMISING SOLUTIONS AND BENEFICENCEdecided that YW then takes the path of communityempowerment to address the challenges of modernityand globalization that have some serious consequencesfor Balinese communities. This includes the loss ofthousands of hectares of fertile agricultural land to hoteldevelopment and the loss of fishing grounds and coralreefs have affected the livelihood of communities.Thus, YW focuses on sustainable development andconsumption in the villages of Nusa Ceningan, KiadanPelaga, Duku Sibetan and Tenganan. Balancing life, therelationship between human beings, the environmentand social justice are fundamentals that embody theconcept of sustainability. Community organizingincludes the participatory mapping of natural resources,human resources and cultural practices before a projectis initiated. For example, the concept of subak, whichrefers to the equal sharing of water resources, containsa great deal of wisdom. Through the subak system,conflicts over resources are avoided in these villages.For basic needs, mensyukun—cherish what you have—is encouraged. Community empowerment also involvesbuilding the capacity of the community.The main projects in the villages are ecotourism, thebenefits of which go directly to the communities; incomegenerating projects such as coffee growing in Pelaga;the development of micro-hydro projects in Pelaga andTenganan; the production of wine from salak and thestrengthening of existing cooperative practices like thesubak. The villagers manage these projects voluntarilyand the funds go directly to them. Networking andbarter trade are encouraged among the villages. Thevillage of Pelaga provides coffee for Tenganan, which inturn barters rice and coconuts.YW is a slim CSO with six staff. Board members arevolunteers and work on the community projects withoutany financial remuneration. Staff such as Atiek, Dannyand Gede pointed out it is their love for communityand the environment that motivates them to work inYW.“Yayasan Wisnu belongs to the community. One day,the board will come from the community,” said BoardMembers Suarnath and Agung Putradhyna.• Yayasan Kayon-BaliIndividuals can make a difference in small ways intheir own locality through volunteerism, sharing ofknowledge and expertise. This was pointed out byAgung, Wes and Gede during our discussion in thebeautiful hamlet of Marga.Nine individuals from various backgrounds—architecture, law, engineering, mechanics, literatureand accounting—founded Yayasan Kayon (YK) on24 February 1999. Kayon stands for piKiran, karYauntuk harmOni lingkungaN (thought, speech anddeeds for environmental harmony). The goals of YKare to promote an understanding of the concept ofsustainability and to incorporate it in the daily livesof children and farmers in the village of Marga, to usemathematics, physics and biology to respond to localneeds and to promote an understanding of pluralismand intercultural relations.YK’s programs for children consist of basic computerlearning, English, electronics and local culture. Thechildren’s courses are conducted through study groupsnamed mengapet and inspired by the Balinese calendarTika. The activities for farmers are run through SekheManyi (rice harvesters group). The programs promotealternative energy and appropriate farming technology.Organic farming, biogas development and a revolvingmicrocredit fund for animal husbandry are beinginitiated.The home of Agung Putradhyna, one of KY’s founders,is used as the learning center for children. All activitiesare run by volunteers.Category 2: Corporate social responsibility philanthropyPhilanthropy and social responsibility go beyond charityand welfare. Today, corporations are contributingto numerous causes such as education, achieving theUN Millennium Development Goals, communitydevelopment, the environment and rehabilitation aftermajor disasters.• Eka Tjipta FoundationThe Eka Tjipta Foundation (ETF) is a family foundationfounded on 17 March 2006 by the Eka Tjipta Widjajafamily (of the Sinarmas conglomerate). The foundation ismanaged through an endowment fund from the Widjajafamily. Its vision and mission statement is: “Enhancequality of life, welfare and foster self-supporting societyby providing a sustainable contribution through variousprograms that are economically viable, socially equitableand environmentally sustainable.”While ETF’s activities focus on sustainable development,its business unit is committed to good governance,respect for the environment, human rights, fair laborpractices, consumer protection and community andsocietal development. The foundation believes that,for a stable Indonesia, economic disparities must beAsian Transformations in ActionThe Work of the 2006/2007 API Fellows