Engaging Youth in Urban Governance: Kick-off Events in Solo and Denpasar
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We are excited to kickstart the activities of the Co-producing Youth Inclusive Digital Urban Governance (YUP) project in Indonesia through a series of kick-off events in the vibrant cities of Surakarta (Solo) and Denpasar in May and July 2024 respectively. With a focus on understanding young people’s roles in urban governance through digital platforms, the kick-off events in Solo and Denpasar brought together various stakeholders.
Solo: Amplifying Youth Voices in Inclusive Governance
In Solo, we organized the kick-off event at the renowned Solo Technopark, a hub where young innovators gather to work on technology advancements. The event, held on 2 May 2024, was part of the Overseas Practice Engagement (OPE) program by UCL. The turnout exceeded our expectations, with over 70 attendees representing municipal government representatives, local communities, students, and young citizens. The main agenda of the event was a panel discussion that involved speakers from diverse backgrounds such as Dr. Ir. Arianti Ina Restiani Hunga, M.Si. (a researcher, woman activist, and the leader of the Center of Gender and Children Studies in Satya Wacana Christian University Salatiga), Angga Bakti Efendi (a young designer, photographer, and visual storyteller), Shoim Sahriyati (the director of Yayasan Kakak), and Laurensia Liona Swandito (the director of Ganep Bakery and JCI Solo).
The discussion explored the perceptions, priorities, and aspirations of young people for the city of Solo, providing valuable insights into how young people can contribute to urban development. Some youth organisations, such as Yayasan Kakak, have successfully collaborated with the government over the long term, however, the discussion also highlighted the need to find ways to further enhance the participation of young people with diverse social identities. Several young participants said that young people in Solo expressed a strong desire to be involved in governance and decision-making despite limited government participation opportunities. The discussion concluded with a common understanding that enhancing personal capacity as Solo citizens and creating meaningful participation spaces are essential for young people to carry out various initiatives and contribute to urban improvement.
Denpasar: Fostering Collaboration for Sustainable Urban Development
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.