On 28th and 29th of May 2022, the Department of Human Resources Empowerment of Indonesia Geopark Youth Forum (PSDM IGYF) held a Capacity Building for IGYF members as well as regional GYFs throughout Indonesia, this aims to provide more knowledge, shape and hone skills to create a better professional, and using this webinar as an introduction to what IGYF is. and strengthen the bond of each IGYF member and establish a better relationship between IGYF and regional GYF.

From the results of the assessment conducted by PSDM for IGYF members, 57.1% stated that Organizational Development Management is needed. This of course aims to help and build the professional capacity of IGYF members to be even better and also as a direction for regional GYFs to develop their youth forums.

In addition, the results of the IGYF PSDM assessment also yielded information that there is still a need for an introduction IGYF and the relationship between IGYF and regional GYF so that it results in a better synergy between the two parties. then the need for a work program from the IGYF event planning department so as to provide an overview and preparation for IGYF and regional GYF members.

In addition, the results of the assessment held by PSDM for IGYF members also resulted in as many as 78.6% stating that it is necessary to develop good and correct Public Speaking Skills as well as Copywriting, Marketing and Basic Geopark Introductions. 

The first material was presented by Deo Immanuel Silalahi as President of the UNESCO Global Geopark Youth Forum (UGGYF) as well as General Chairperson of the Indonesia Geopark Youth Forum (IGYF) who presented an introduction to the two forums.

UGGYF is an official body created by the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and UNESCO aiming to encourage the involvement of the young generation in the operation and activities of the UNESCO Global Geoparks and to raise awareness for the protection and preservation of the Earth's natural heritage and the sustainable development of the Geopark territories. 

While IGYF is a communication forum between Indonesia’s Geopark Youths located in every geopark area in Indonesia, IGYF has a National Coordinating Board whose task is to provide communication space between Indonesia’s Geopark Youths.

And to become a facilitator for the regional Indonesia Geopark Forum in an effort to develop organizational capacity, lastly as a facilitator for bridging the area between IGYF and stakeholders as well as the international community.

The second material was presented by Dimas Geostoro as Coordinator of the IGYF event planning department who explained the planning of IGYF events in 2022. With many unique events to come, IGYF categorizes them into three programs, the first is National Program such as UNESCO Global Geopark Youth Forum Seminar & Summer Camp, Indonesia Geopark Youth Forum Summit, Y20 Pre Summit OTG (Lombok, Balikpapan, and Manokwari). The second is the Coordinative Program (Collaboration) such as the International Day on Geopark, and the third is the Regional Program where this program is an event held by each regional geopark youth forum.

The third material was delivered by Tri Wibowo as the Daily Chair of IGYF who gave material on regional management. Bowo explained several tips for youth organizations where one of the organizations must be "FUN" by means of better communication, stronger teamwork, and enhanced creativity. besides that Bowo also explained the stages of empowering Geopark youth organizations, the first stage was to find a group of youths who had the same interests and LIKEs in geoparks and then formed a forum, the second step was to brainstorm and coordinate with the Geopark Management Agency regarding GYF, the third step was to draw up an organizational plan: Organizational branding, management structure, AD/ART, work plans, and other needs. The last step is to carry out the planned activities, legalization.

Going into the second day of the IGYF Building Capacity, starting with Mr. Togu Pardede, ST, MIDS as Strategic Coordinator of Real Action Plan (RAN) Geopark Development, Directorate of Energy and Mineral Resources and Mining, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas. He explained the Role of Youth in the RAN for Geopark Development 2021-2025 which is integrated with the SDGS. starting from the explanation of the RAN to the next step in optimizing the role and participation of youth in accelerating Geopark development, namely increasing youth capacity as a provision to participate in development, expanding access and inclusive participation mechanisms for youth, and building an environment that supports youth participation.

The second material was delivered by Dr. Ir. Yunus Kusumahbrata, M.Sc as Expert Board of the Indonesian Geopark Committee, Kemenkomarves Advisory Committee, Asia Pacific Geopark Network (APGN) which discussed Introduction to Geopark Development as a Tourism Destination, concepts, noble goals and benefits of Geoparks and Geotourism to the development of geoparks as science and technology-based tourist destinations responsible and sustainable.

The third material in the second session was presented by Mrs. Eli Jamilah Mihardja, Ph.D. as one of the lecturers at Bakrie University in the communication science study program. She explained about public speaking starting from the Ethical Public Speaker, The Public Speaking Spectrum, to Coping effectively with public speaking anxiety.

The last material was presented by Mrs. Eli's colleague as one of the lecturers at Bakrie University in the communication science study program, namely Mrs. Ari Kurnia, M.Ikom who explained Copywriting and Digital Marketing. starting from explaining storytelling, unique types of content, and use of emoji's and slang within copy as this copywriting trend 2021/2022. to discuss related study cases.

We, the IGYF PSDM department, hope that this building capacity webinar will give benefits and insight to the participants that have attended the event, and will continue to assess and evaluate the need of IGYF in terms of education materials and insights.

Write by Nytya Eudora as Coordinator department Human Resources Development IGYF
Translated by Rakean Shidqii as Event planning department staff IGYF