The Philanthropy Learning Forum on SDGs Roadshow started in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan on Thursday, August 24, 2017. This event is a series of roadshows in 7 cities across Indonesia organised by Filantropi Indonesia with support from the Ford Foundation. The event was held in partnership with Yayasan Adaro Bangun Negeri (YABN) and Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, who was also the host. Around 90 participants from various backgrounds attended the event with coverage Banjarmasin Post and TV Ambassador as media partner.

Mr. Timotheus Lesmana, Chairman of the Board of Philanthropy Indonesia, opened the event with the welcoming speech being delivered by Mr. Harris Maki, the Regional Secretary of South Kalimantan. He saw the PLF on SDGs as a positive undertaking and hoped that it would be the first step in bringing together all of the main philanthropic actors and stakeholders in Southern Kalimantan towards the development of the province, as well as Indonesia in general.

The launch of Filantropi Indonesia’s latest book, titled Sharing and Collaboration for SDGs: A Practical Guide to the Implementation of SDGs in Philanthropy, also took place during the event. The event was then followed by discussion and a presentation delivered by Timotheus Lesmana, Okty Damayanti (Chairman of YABN), Prof. DR. H. Sutarto Hadi, M.Si, M.Sc (Rector of Universitas Lambung Mangkurat), and Harris Makki.

From the discussions that took place in the Q&A session, it appears that the understanding of SDGs itself is still quite low among the participants. However, everyone could easily appreciate the need for local community involvement in achieving SDGs in each city or province.

Okty Damayanti shared how YABN, which is part of the Adaro Group, works to create and implement the medium and long-term CSR programs of the Adaro Group independently. The concept of “From Global to Local: SDGs” encapsulates the principle of the YABN program.

Prof. Mr. Sutarto discussed the role of academia in supporting the implementation and success of the SDGs. The involvement of various experts in the development of programs will be necessary in carrying out the various activities needed for the attainment of SDGs effectively and efficiently. He also gave examples of what has been achieved in South Kalimantan, as well as various other regions across Indonesia.

Mr. Harris Maki focused more on encouraging the activities of various institutions involved in pursuing SDGs and their ability to help develop South Kalimantan, and the applicability of the "No one left behind" principle. The Secretary also hopes that locally run SDG programs can be harmonized with government priorities in South Kalimantan. He concluded with a depiction of his vision to increase the health and independence of South Kalimantan.

From this discussion, it is hoped that philanthropy, civil society, academic and local government institutions in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan can work together and support the implementation and achievement of SDGs. The practical handbook that has been published can also be used to help philanthropy organisations who want to apply the underlying principles of the SDGs in their existing programs.

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION