Darmanto started his career in nature conservation and natural resource management nearly two decades ago after finishing his BA thesis on traditional shifting cultivation practices in the Siberut National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. He headed a local foundation that focussed on strengthening the customary management of natural resources, before earning his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Leiden, Netherlands. His main anthropological work examines the changing relationship between humans and their natural environment. He recently spent more than a year conducting fieldwork in northern Sumatra, where he also studied the dynamics and impacts of nature conservation on local communities. Darmanto has in-depth expertise in developing rights-based and culturally appropriate community-based conservation strategies and actions. His recent work experience includes capacity building of conservation agencies in using anthropological approaches, compiling and analysing indigenous knowledge and practices that influence the relationship between communities and biodiversity, and conducting stakeholder mapping.
“My primary objective is to apply social sciences in contributing to SOS’s strategy in building constructive bridges between contemporary nature conservation practices and indigenous knowledge and management systems. Understanding the relationship between local communities with their land, forests, and biodiversity is critical in developing appropriate interventions based on SOS’s principle of recognising the role of local communities as the custodians of the orangutan landscapes and working together as equal partners.”
Umi has experience working in forestry and community assistance programmes, notably on community-based conservation in South Sumatra and Aceh. She is supporting SOS to deliver its vision for resilient, connected landscapes in West Toba and Batang Toru. In her spare time Umi loves hiking. She also doesn’t like having her photo taken!
Rina holds a Master of Sciences in Geo-Informatics from the Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Since her early career with Indonesia’s National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), during which she monitored forest fires, Rina has developed a strong commitment towards the protection of forests and biodiversity in Indonesia. For the last two decades, Rina has worked with several national and international agencies, including UN, on developing geo-spatial modelling and analysis in support of nature conservation. Rina has in-depth expertise regarding northern Sumatra, where she has been working since 2005 using a wide variety of GIS approaches, including geospatial conservation opportunity assessments, participatory land use planning, and monitoring changes in land use and cover – all leading to improved conservation decision-making.
“For SOS Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are an integral part of orangutan conservation, and the application of spatial data, analysis, and modelling, allows us to identify and prioritise key areas for orangutan conservation, as well as monitor whether our approaches on the ground achieve the required successes to safeguard orangutans and their habitat.”
Juang Solala Laiya, an insightful visual storyteller, holds a master’s degree in Visual
Communication Design with a unique focus on Visual Narratives from the respected Jakarta
Institute of Arts, Indonesia. With a 15-year background as an Art Director in diverse creative
fields, Juang has worked in graphic design studios, advertising agencies, and digital
communication agencies. In recent years, he has left the industry to reside on a remote
island off the West Coast of North Sumatra, dedicating his time to community empowerment
and environmental conservation. Among his endeavors are organizing formal education for
remote communities, championing indigenous people, and promoting regenerative
agriculture and food security initiatives. Currently pursuing a doctorate in Development
Studies, Juang concentrates on critically analyzing the development narrative in Indonesia
and its implications for the well-being of indigenous communities. His commitment to
creating a better world by blending creativity, knowledge, and a passion for social and
environmental justice, exemplifies his genuine desire to promote positive change.
“Storytelling ignites the spark of awareness that fuels the fire of action for social and
environmental justice.”
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