In commemoration of International Mangrove Day on July 26, 2025, a collaborative initiative titled Restoration for Peace was officially launched at the Mangrove Conservation Area of Pulo Cangkir, Tangerang, Indonesia. The initiative is led by Global Peace Foundation Indonesia in partnership with Jadi PNS, and supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Abdi Muda, Global Institute, Mapala Global, Peace! Project, Global Peace Leadership Corps Indonesia, and Pelopor Inovasi.
As a first step in the program, more than 200 participants from diverse backgrounds came together to plant 1,000 mangrove seedlings in a coastal area increasingly vulnerable to erosion. The event was free and open to the public.
Miftahul Khoir, Program Manager at Global Peace Foundation Indonesia, stated that the activity is a tangible form of interfaith and cross-sector collaboration to build a more sustainable and peaceful future.
“Environmental restoration is a key part of cultivating a culture of peace. When young people from different backgrounds work side by side to plant mangroves, we’re not just planting for the Earth we’re planting hope for humanity as well,” he said.
Jaya Setiawan Gulö, Founder of Jadi PNS, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in environmental protection.
“We believe that big changes begin with small actions done together. Through this initiative, we want to show that being a civil servant isn’t just about bureaucracy it’s also about social and environmental responsibility,” Gulö said.
“Restoration for Peace is a platform for us to learn, collaborate, and make real contributions.”
This collaboration was born from a shared concern over increasing coastal erosion and land subsidence affecting many Indonesian islands. A study by the Geography Department of the University of Indonesia titled “Monitoring Coastal Line Changes for Spatial Planning and Disaster Mitigation in Tangerang Regency” noted that 579 hectares of land were lost in Tangerang’s coastal area between 1995 and 2015.
GPF Indonesia and Jadi PNS believe that this initiative can serve as a tool for peacebuilding bringing together people who care about environmental, social, and peace-related issues to connect and engage in dialogue.
Restoration for Peace is not a one-time event. It has been designed as a monthly program, with a different thematic focus each month. Through consistent, long-term commitment and community involvement, the initiators hope to demonstrate that real change happens with perseverance and shared action.
This initiative symbolizes that change doesn’t always come from the top it also grows from the grassroots.
“We’re an island nation we’ve already lost so many islands, and now sea levels are rising even faster. I’m really excited about this event because it’s one of the ways we can save the Earth, especially our coastal areas.” Alvi, from ARKAN (Aksi Relawan Kemanusiaan) Tangerang
“The biggest lesson I learning here is as youth that we do a lot of stuff so when we talking about environment issues, youth have a role in there, specially like this, not only like something like big, as long as we doing something good for our planet, that’s become our positivity.” Bryan, Public Health Student at University of Indonesia
“Some people think plant mangrove is like a small act, but for me it can protect us and also climate change. For me is do whatever you want but at least put some effort to save environment. The nature need our helps, just do a small act, if possible plant a tree” Auns, International Student from Pakistan, UIII