Upcoming events

Denpasar: Fostering Collaboration for Sustainable Urban Development

By Asri Septarizky

We held the kick-off event in Denpasar in partnership with BaleBengong, a local citizen journalism platform. Held on a pleasant afternoon on June 21, 2024, at the Denpasar Youth Park, the event provided an intimate and engaging setting for discussions, with speakers seated on bean bags in the park. Slightly different from the kick-off event in Solo, the main agenda is a presentation session of five young citizens to pitch their ideas on how to bring about change in their city, followed by feedback from panelists such as Kristina Komala from Teman Sayur, Vanesha Manuturi from Kota Kita, Ni Luh Putu Riyastiti from the Tourism Department of Denpasar City Government, and Alit Adhi Mertha from the Communication, Information, and Statistics Department of Denpasar City Government. 

The discussion centred on pressing urban challenges, such as insufficient public spaces for children, inadequate waste management, issues stemming from over-tourism, and traffic congestion exacerbated by recent urban planning changes. It also highlighted differing perspectives on youth participation in the city. The government tends to interpret participation through festivals and complaint handling, while Denpasar residents present at the event emphasised the need for structured forums to collaboratively address these issues, underscoring the importance of inclusive collaboration forums to effectively promote sustainable development in Denpasar.

The insights gathered from these initial discussions in Solo and Denpasar will guide our future efforts and help us tailor our approach to the unique needs and aspirations of each city. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey towards empowering youth and transforming urban governance in Solo and Denpasar.