Coral Triangle Youth and Journalist Writing Competition Help Create Buzz on Blue Economy

PRESS RELEASE

Bali, Indonesia – As a lead-up to the 3rd Coral Triangle Regional Business Forum (March 24-26, 2013), organizers conducted a region-wide writing competition for university students and practicing journalists across the Coral Triangle.

The competition received more than 20 essays in the youth division and 16 published articles in the journalist division, each offering innovative ideas and solutions on implementing a Blue Economy for the Coral Triangle region.

“We are extremely pleased with the high turnout of this writing competition and the eagerness of students and journalists to share their views on what a Blue Economy is and what it means for a globally significant marine region such as the Coral Triangle,” said Dr. Lida Pet-Soede, WWF Coral Triangle Program Leader.

Carrying the theme A Marriage of Profit and Sustainability, the Coral Triangle Regional Business Forum’s discussions focused on building a thriving Blue Economy by applying business models that are both economically profitable and environmentally sustainable.

The youth division winner is Ms. Liane Stella Candelario from the University of the Philippines for her essay Care for the Coasts – An Essay on Blue Economy for the Coral Triangle Region.

For the journalist division, Ms. Khalidah Nizma Fritz from Media Indonesia Newspaper won the grand prize for her article Semangat Ekonomi Biru Para Pemikir Muda (The Blue Economy Spirit of Youth Think Tank), while Mr. Aries Munandar, also from Media Indonesia Newspaper, won both first and second runner-up awards for his articles Ancaman Eksploitasi Di Hutan Payau (The Threat in Mangroves) and Fokus Nusantara: Ketika Solar Datang Dua Minggu Sekali (Archipelago Focus: When Solar Came Just Once in Two Weeks).

“Written pieces such as these will surely help create much-needed debate on the Blue Economy, and we are happy to have started such discussions on this relatively new but very important concept,” added Dr. Pet-Soede.

Prof. Dr. Gunter Pauli, author of Blue Economy: 10 Years 100 Innovations 100 Million Jobs, first introduced the Blue Economy concept in 2004, encouraging efficient resource management through innovations and technologies that create zero-waste products. Prof. Pauli also served as a keynote speaker at the forum.

The writing competition ran from December 2012 to mid-March 2013 and was promoted via posters, electronic flyers, social media, and direct mailers to media, journalists, journalist associations, and universities across the region.

The youth division judging panel included Prof. Dr. Gunter Pauli; Rili Djohani, Executive Director of the Coral Triangle Center; Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry, Secretary for Coordination and External Affairs of the CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat; and Paolo Mangahas, Communications Manager of the WWF Coral Triangle Program.

The journalist division judges included Dr. Victor Nikijuluw, Executive Secretary of the CTI-CFF National Coordinating Committee; Dr. Lida Pet-Soede, Leader of the WWF Coral Triangle Program; and Dewi Satriani, Marine Communications Manager of WWF-Indonesia.

Photo Caption: Ms. Liane Stella Candelario receives her award from Dr. Victor Nikijuluw at the 3rd CTI Regional Business Forum in Bali.

For more information:
Mr. Hasrul Kokoh: hasrul_kokoh@yahoo.co.id
Ms. Dewi Satriani: dsatriani@wwf.or.id
Ms. Parama Dewi: parama_dewi@hotmail.com