Yogyakarta, 19 May 2026 – The Vice Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Universitas Gadjah Mada received some mementos, such as the plaque, printed report, youth statement, and photographs, from the Organizing Committee of the International Forestry Students’ Symposium 2025 Indonesia, represented by Muhammad Najwan Akbar, Agban Nur Urbani, and Aqila Aisya Adama. This gesture is an important milestone, marking the successful symposium with much support from universities, NGOs, the government, and the private sector. The Faculty of Forestry Universitas Gadjah Mada has hosted the symposium by facilitating the knowledge transfer, cultural exchange, and potential collaboration in Yogyakarta.
The International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) is the largest annual event hosted by IFSA, bringing together individuals who care about forestry issues at the local and global levels to achieve the same vision: “A World that Appreciates Forests.” The IFSS 2025 was held on 16–30 August 2025 in Bogor, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and Maros with the grand theme “Green Heroes: Achieving Net Zero Emission for Sustainable Forestry.” This event was organized by 4 Local Committees consisting of IFSA LC IPB, IFSA LC UGM, IFSA LC UNHAS, and IFSA LC ULM, with a total of 30 committee members and volunteers. The journey brought together 76 delegates from 23 countries who delved deeper into three main sub-themes divided into Social Forestry, Forestry Multi-business, and Technology for Forestry.
During the hosting on 20–23 August 2025, UGM has provided knowledge transfers through lectures in social forestry and agrarian reform, laboratory tours, agroforestry studies in KHDTK Wanagama, and a regional symposium in IPLCs and agrarian reform. Some key highlights during the IFSS 2025 in Yogyakarta included the Gala Dinner & Talkshow, which featured incredible speakers from INSTIPER Yogyakarta, Forestwise, and Yayasan ASRI, who connected theory with examples by bringing together diverse perspectives from academia, industry, and NGOs on the implementation of multi-business forestry practices in Indonesia. More than that, the IPLC Talkshow and Exhibition invited the Ministry of Home Affairs, Kostajasa, Perkumpulan HuMa Indonesia, and local communities & enterprises to introduce the critical role and status of Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) in advancing agrarian reform and social forestry, the challenges, and current implementation of related policies in Indonesia.
Not only academic lectures, but delegates were also invited to explore Yogyakarta through a historical place, Museum Sandi, and Malioboro, to learn about the history of cryptography in Indonesia and enhance intercultural understanding and cultural sensitivity. They were also invited to showcase the culture from their respective countries during the International Night to facilitate cultural exchange among the delegates.
All of the activities lesson learned has been summarised through the report presented. Furthermore, some key learning has inspired two points in the seven mandate captured on [YOUTH STATEMENT IFSS 2025 INDONESIA].pdf which are Point 4 “Policies to include IPLCs to co-produce and co-teach forestry knowledge in a formal opportunity.” and Point 7 “Sustain supports, institutionally and financially, an inclusive global platform for the future professional forester to facilitate intergenerational knowledge, technology, and idea transfer.”
While the IFSS 2025 Indonesia administration has been officially closed, its legacy continues through the establishment of IFSA Indonesia. This national IFSA network initiative aims to empower youth participation in environmental research, international exchange, ecological restoration, and policy advocacy. By connecting young forestry scholars with researchers, practitioners, and policy stakeholders, the collaboration creates a platform for knowledge exchange on forest governance, coastal ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable development in Indonesia. To support the initiative and learn about its latest information, readers could follow @ifsaindonesia on Instagram platform.
Attachments:
IFSS 2025 Indonesia Report: [IFSS 2025 INDONESIA REPORT].pdf
IFSS 2025 Indonesia Youth Statement: [YOUTH STATEMENT IFSS 2025 INDONESIA].pdf
Author: Wening Ila Idzatilangi, Lutfiyyah Roihanah
Editor : Budi Mulyana