DURP Undip continues to strengthen its commitment to developing research related to climate change. One of the emerging issues associated with climate change is the phenomenon of forced labour, where one of the main concerns is vulnerable groups such as women and children in coastal areas. Many coastal residents are forced to work amid the risks posed by climate change, making this issue important and relevant to be addressed through a scientific approach.
Regarding the issue, Griffith University, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and DURP Undip are collaborating through the Koneksi Research Project (https://koneksi-kpp.id/id/) titled “Forced labour and climate change: keeping a focus on women and children,” funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). One of the activities held under this collaboration was the Stakeholder Forum, which took place over two days, Thursday and Friday, September 5-6, 2024, in two locations: Jakarta and Semarang. The purpose of this forum was to disseminate the research findings to relevant stakeholders, who had previously been invited to roundtable discussions held in April 2024.
The Jakarta forum focused on sharing the research findings with all stakeholders involved from each of the study sites, including representatives from the central and local governments of Jakarta, Semarang, Pekalongan, and Demak. In this forum, the researcher team presented their findings on forced labour and its impact on women and children who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The hope is that these findings will serve as valuable input for future policy formulation.
The forum continued in Semarang, focusing on a more detailed presentation of findings related to women and children affected by climate change, followed by feedback from representatives of local government stakeholders and community groups from Semarang, Pekalongan, and Demak. This activity served as a platform to enrich the previously conducted research and as an opportunity for collaborative efforts between academics, the government, and the community.
This stakeholder forum represents a broad engagement of various stakeholders, which is one of the key focuses of this research. Synergy between academics, central and local governments, and the community is crucial in finding solutions to the challenges posed by the interconnected issues of climate change, forced labour, and gender. Forums like this are expected to foster stronger collaboration between various sectors, so that the research findings can be concretely implemented to improve the welfare of communities, particularly in coastal areas.
Through this stakeholder forum, hopefully the research findings can be applied in real-world contexts to improve the quality of life, especially in addressing interconnected issues affecting women and children working in coastal communities under the risks of climate change. This research also aligns with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13: Climate Action. Ultimately, the research collaboration is expected to contribute valuable insights and strengthen synergies across disciplines, making a significant contribution to the development of science and technology.