Dala On The Move!

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Welcome to the Dala Dispatch by Dala Institute.

Expect thought-provoking analyses, insider notes, glimpses into our projects, and event highlights as we traverse along the nexus of nature and society in Indonesia and globally.

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This month, our team has been on the move both at home and abroad! From June to July, our staff members have gathered insights, made new connections, and brought back important knowledge for their own professional development as well as for Dala.

Read through to learn more about recap of the events, key takeaways, and personal experiences!

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In late June-early July, our researcher/evaluator Nitia Agustini Kala Ayu, flew to the Netherlands to attend the Early Careers’ Symposium on Cultures of Climate Adaptation and the Workshop-Writeshop: “Exploring the Impacts of Indonesia’s Capital Relocation to Kalimantan”, both organised by the Utrecht University.

In the Early Career’s Symposium on Cultures of Climate Adaptation, Nitia collaborated with Marcel Pein (a master student at Sustainable Development & International Development at Utrecht University) to present the role of social networks and gender in ecosystem-based adaptation in a coastal area in Lombok, for which they received invaluable feedback from fellow researchers.

Nitia said that “this symposium was a great learning experience on nature-based solutions in the Global South; it is providing new perspectives and research methods that are related to my work at Dala Institute on climate change adaptation. And enhancing my insights on power dynamics and diverse climate adaptation strategies, and fostering connections with researchers and experts in this field.” For more information, here is the link to the abstract book from the event: https://festay.sites.uu.nl/2024/07/04/book-of-abstracts-early-careers-symposium/

Furthermore, in the Workshop-Writeshop: “Exploring the Impacts of Indonesia’s Capital Relocation to Kalimantan," Nitia presented a paper on "The Political Economy on Energy Transition Agenda in New Capital City Nusantara (IKN)" that is related to Dala Institute's work on just energy transition in East Kalimantan. Dala's research findings are that East Kalimantan's economy is dependent on the coal and extractive sectors, which is strongly related when we discuss the energy transition in IKN.

“It was an insightful academic exchange that updated my knowledge on the nexus of frontiers in Forest City, including land rights, energy & minerals, mangrove forests in East Kalimantan, and beyond,” Nitia said.

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Komariah Ervita also participated in the Global Dialogue on Sustainable Ocean Development in early July. Held in Bali, it was a five-day event focused on building a global community of practice for sustainable ocean development. Participants engaged in technical training, discussions, and collaborative sessions to enhance their capacities in measuring and managing progress towards a sustainable ocean future.

Ervita said, “...it was a great experience that enhanced my understanding of the importance of natural resources for regional economies and environments.” The events shedded light on the management and preservation of oceans and emphasised the importance of maintaining balance between conservation and development objectives.

Interactive sessions and expert speakers were the highlights for Ervita, “They provided me with valuable knowledge on the significance of ocean accounting and promoting sustainable development goals. I also had the opportunity to connect with various actors who have extensive experience in ocean accounting. It will be a good step in establishing a network for Dala to expand its marine portfolio." She left the event feeling equipped with the necessary tools to better advocate ocean sustainability.

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Our newly joined Senior Evaluator, Wardah Hasyim, had the chance to attend a Learning Community for Civil Society Organization (CSO) Consultants in Indonesia. This forum was facilitated by Consultant for Change Indonesia (C4Change.ID), INTRAC, and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. She was among the selected 21 Indonesian consultants coming from various fields, such as organisational development, planning, monitoring and evaluation, community empowerment, and more.

Members of this learning community will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of capacity-building activities led by INTRAC and C4Change.ID. INTRAC invited 13 members of this learning community, including Wardah, to an online course on Consultants for Change in August 2024.

“The productive workshop allowed the participants to get to know each other professionally. I had the opportunity to meet consultants from various fields, including research and evaluation. This will be useful for Dala future collaboration and networking,” said Wardah.

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At Dala , we try our best to prioritise the professional development of our staff by actively supporting participation in diverse and enriching events. These experiences are just recent examples that underscore our commitment to fostering learning between staff and equipping people at Dala with the knowledge to advance our careers and contribute to the Institute’s growth.

Make sure to also follow Dala on Instagram (@dalainstitute) and LinkedIn to receive timely updates on events like these and more!