In order to commemorate International Day of Forests, which falls 21 March, the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) in Germany and the Indonesian International Forestry Student Association (IFSA) recently held a series of events, including Forestry Awareness Week. In order to support this activity, PPI Germany invited the Forests and Climate Change Programme (FORCLIME) to give an address under the theme “Knowledge of Papua's Forests”. This activity was streamed live via the Instagram Discussion Channel of the Department of Research, Education and Strategic Studies at PPI Germany on 26 March 2022 under the title “Morning Talk (Kaffe AM Morgen)”. The Morning Talk event was moderated by Sekar Ayu Woro Yunita, a master's student in Tropical and International Forestry, Georg – August – University of Gottingen. Speaking on behalf of FORCLIME were Melanesian Brigite Boseren (Junior Adviser for Rural Livelihood, Forest Management and Conservation), Rut M. Ohoiwutun (Junior Advisor for Community Forestry and Customary Forest, Papua) and Mohammad Sidiq (Strategic Area Manager, Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces).

During the Morning Talk event, FORCLIME introduced a number of programmes that are currently being implemented and that are set to be implemented in Tanah Papua. Other topics addressed during the Kaffe AM Morgen encompassed:
• The condition of the forests in Papuan Land (Tanah Papua) and the uniqueness of the Tanah Papua’s forests, with particular focus on what distinguishes them from other Indonesian forests.
• The primary non-timber forest products that are produced in Tanah Papua.
• The wisdom and traditions of local communities in relation to the management of natural resources and forests.
• The role of women in forest management in Tanah Papua.

The discussions at the event were informal but proved interesting, given that not all of the Kaffe AM Morgen participants were forestry practitioners. The hope is that through such activities, both forestry and non-forestry practitioners will gain an understanding of the importance of Tanah Papua’s forests so that they will be able to make a productive contribution to the wise use of forests and natural resources in the future.

For more information, please contact:
Melanesia Brigite Boseren, Junior Adviser for Rural Livelihood, Forest Management and Conservation, West Papua
Rut M Ohoiwutun, Junior Advisor for Community Forestry and Customary Forest, Papua
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager, Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces