Regeneration for the Future

Do you know the difference between heritage and legacy? People often mix them up, but it’s quite simple: heritage is what is left to us- the things we inherit from previous generations. Legacy is what we leave behind for the next generations. Both are equally important in the context of sustainability, but we need to carefully recognise and record what we have now to make sure we know exactly where we are and what we have to do to leave a viable and valuable legacy.

First we have to recognise, analyse and take care of what we have been left, and this extends far beyond our own possessions, to every aspect of nature, culture and history. And over the last 50 years, we have managed to totally change the planet from a natural wonderland to a combination of urban sprawl and mono-culture plantations.  That is not respecting and preserving our heritage, it is profiting from its demise. And it still continues, so often hidden behind the disguise of ‘development’ or ‘protecting our food security’ (the latest excuse in Indonesia).

In purely practical, but also rather cynical, terms what has been happening is the plantation and real estate companies, among many others, have been taking away the natural heritage that often belongs to the people of Indonesia and changing it into their own legacy for their families. And we have allowed this to happen sometimes through misguided naiveite’ but so often through complicit bending of the rules. We have “lost” a very large part of our heritage already. But perhaps not forever.

But not everyone is like that. Many are dedicated to the preservation and regeneration of this great country. And where better to start than with people who were featured in the  ground-breaking event “Path to Sustainable Growth: Regeneration for the Future” held recently at the Apurva Kempinski Bali. All of these people are great examples for us to emulate in protecting and promoting our heritage because they both understand its importance and care that it is properly preserved.  

For example,  Wulan Tilaar is building on her mother’s great efforts to create a genuine Indonesian cosmetic and beauty industry and to do so has to both educate and assist the communities she relies on, and who rely on her.

Then take Mita  Alwi, whose grandfather started the movement to raise the status of the people of Banda Islands after their brutal genocide many years before. And to do that she has created schools, a museum, a tourism industry and most importantly sense of pride in her people.

Then there is Heinz von Holzen, a long-time resident of Bali and a chef who recognised the vital importance of recording, preserving and promoting Balinese cuisine, often reviving menus and recipes to make it happen.

Perhaps more easily understood is the work of Agung Rai who curates and promotes Balinese art presenting and preserving the culture of the Balinese.

How different all these forms of heritage are: products from Martha Tilaar, a complete destination in Banda, the food of the island and its art. But together they form the fabric of life that must be recognised and respected.

When you see what these four have done you realise they have also secured their own legacy since they can say that they are leaving, not only what they were left, but have added to it. That is called leading a ‘Net Positive’ life. When we leave more than we were given. Can you say that?

The rest of our speakers at this event were mostly the brave folks who are trying to rescue us from the destruction caused by others:

· Tara Susanto, Bumiterra, is regenerating wastelands in Kalimantan and Bali.

· Phillippe Micone, Nooveleum , is making sure our used cooking oil does not pollute our planet.

· Maitri Fisher, Eco Mantra is designing buildings that are net positive not massive carbon footprints.

· Jelle Therry, Urban Nature who is bringing nature back into urban areas to regenerate them.

· Nabila Shavira, Suparma, this is a paper and tissue company who have pioneered Zero Waste to Landfill to preserve  our environment.

· Chandra Panjiwibowo, Rainforest Alliance who are making sure our agricultural products are ethically grown.

· Jeremy Cooper, Beema Honey who are preaching the exceptional importance of bees to the ecosystem.

· Natasha Clarine Mintarga from Rumah Atsiri who is preserving the heritage of an old factory in Solo, creating new products and making it sustainable.

· Galih Batara Mudah, Rumah Kelapa, who is giving new purpose to the undervalued coconut.

· Valerine Chandrakesuma, Wedoo, who make the machines that make recycling possible at a local level

· Merta Adi and Nago Tejena, Bali Usada , who bring us new life through their integrative meditation practices

· And Angie, Anggi Jaya Lestari from 3C’s Tech who is trying to make sure that we as human beings are actually sustainable.

· Finally, we have Desak Intan whose efforts on behalf of Apurva Kempinski enabled them to become Indonesia’s first Global Sustainable Tourism Council Certified Hotel, leading the way for others to follow in not only sustaining but regenerating that which we have lost.

In addition to those great speakers, we had serious insight into the world of Green Finance and Sustainable Banking from BRI who were the main sponsors of the event, and who have committed themselves to a sustainable and responsible code of practice which should be a guiding force for all their clients.

The final, and really important, aspect of the event was the visionary planning for the future in a program called “Seeds of Change” which  challenged students and early start ups to submit their ideas for sustainable and regenerative businesses to a panel of judges to secure both mentoring and for the top two , funding. There were over 30 excellent applicants and 8 were selected to go forward. This will be a program that really leads the participants on the Path to Sustainable Growth.

In this way we can preserve our heritage and enable the next generation to enjoy our legacy. So please join with us and help to respect, revive, restore and regenerate our world.