Freeport Supports 24 Papuan LPDP Scholarship Awardees in Environmental Projects
12 July 2024
Mimika, 9 July 2024 - PT Freeport Indonesia supports 24 Papuan awardees of Educational Fund Management Institution (LPDP) scholarship in carrying out a social project in the environmental field under the “Kalpataru” project.
“Freeport Indonesia always supports the growth and development of Papuan children through education. We are very pleased that the 24 LPDP scholarship awardees from Papua are currently preparing to pursue their studies,” said Claus Wamafma, Director and Executive Vice President of Sustainable Development at PTFI, in Mimika on Tuesday.
He revealed that education is one of PTFI’s social investments. “We believe education can accelerate development in Papua, with the aim of improving the quality of life for the community,” he said.
Yeti Yuniarsih, Head of Batch PK-232, explained that the project took place over two days on June 22 and June 29, 2024, featuring a series of activities including a webinar on the Zero Food Waste Movement attended by hundreds of participants from across Indonesia, a social service educational tour on waste management, and the planting of 100 tree seedlings as a symbol of life and to support land reforestation at the International Islamic University of Indonesia (UIII) in Depok.
PTFI’s support for the Kalpataru project, according to the needs of Team PK-323, includes two hydraulic truck trolleys, 15 pieces of a ton jumbo sacks, 35 pieces of a 500 kilos jumbo sacks, and a 500 kg scale.
The total number of PK-323 participants is 301 scholarship recipients, 24 of whom are LPDP scholarship awardees from Papua, two from Central Papua, two from Southwest Papua, five from West Papua, and one from Mountain Papua. These LPDP scholarship awardees will pursue their studies at prominent universities in Indonesia, United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Germany, for both master’s and doctoral programs.
Yeti revealed that the Kalpataru Project was initiated out of concern over Indonesia being the largest food waste contributor in Southeast Asia, with a total of 14.73 million tons per year (according to UNEP’s Food Waste Index 2024 report). This adverse phenomenon is very dangerous if not responded to quickly, as it can trigger on climate change and threatening the vital economic and health aspects of Indonesian society.
“We, PK-232, are committed to helping from upstream to downstream in solving the food waste issue that continues to surge in our country. The complexity of this problem cannot be solved in a conventional way but requires strategic solutions. One way is by connecting several environmentally concerned stakeholders to synergize in creating a sustainable environment,” Yeti added.
Claus emphasized that Freeport shares the same vision of contributing to solve environmental issues. “The PK-232 project issue is also one of our priorities to remain committed to waste management and environmental reforestation. We hope that the support in the form of donated goods will benefit the community,” said Claus.
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