This workshop marked a shared cross-sector commitment to tangible collaboration in realizing social-ecological resilience and collective well-being in the City of Pontianak.
To accelerate the realization of a sustainable and inclusive Pontianak, Gemawan, together with Humanis, in collaboration with the Regional Development, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Pontianak City, organized a workshop titled:
“Encouraging Collaborative Action to Build Social-Ecological Resilience and Citizen Well-Being in the Riverside Areas of Pontianak City.”
The event, held at the Bapperida office, brought together representatives from local government, academia, communities, and civil society organizations. It served as a strategic platform for discussing collective efforts to strengthen community resilience while reviewing the draft of the Social-Ecological Resilience Strategy Document, the result of collaborative research initiated in 2021.
The workshop focused on identifying opportunities for cooperation to address multidimensional challenges in the city’s riverside areas—such as flooding, limited access to clean water, waste management, and the need for community empowerment and preservation of local wisdom.
Commitment from Local Leaders
Pontianak Mayor Ir. H. Edi Kamtono, in his opening remarks, reaffirmed the city’s commitment to transforming the Kapuas River area.
He emphasized that the riverbanks should serve not only as livable spaces but also as healthy, inclusive, and sustainable environments for residents.
“It requires collective effort to ensure that this transformation reflects the identity of Pontianak’s people—strong, socially resilient, and ecologically conscious,” he asserted.
Strengthening Collaboration for Social-Ecological Resilience
Representing Gemawan, Hermawansyah explained that this initiative embodies a form of substantive collaboration.
“This research not only enriches academic outcomes but also offers an approach that connects multiple stakeholders, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of how to foster social and ecological resilience through collaborative action,” he elaborated.
The discussions, which featured dynamic input from various participants, generated several critical insights. Among the key points highlighted were the importance of accurate data integration, gender mainstreaming, and increasing the participation of women and youth in decision-making processes.
Participants also agreed that the strategies developed must remain people-centered and inclusive.
Concrete Follow-Up and Collective Action
As a concrete follow-up, three discussion groups in the workshop formulated a series of action plans.
These plans include:
-
Establishing a task force for acceleration,
-
Conducting social media campaigns,
-
Implementing continuous mentoring and advocacy programs,
-
Promoting river and canal revitalization initiatives, and
-
Launching community-based educational campaigns supported by early-age social literacy strengthening.
Beyond refining the draft of the strategic document, this workshop stands as a symbol of cross-sector commitment to work collaboratively in achieving social-ecological resilience and shared happiness for all citizens—especially those living in the riverbank communities of Pontianak City.
Edited by: Ersa Dwiyana, Gemawan Activist