200 Students from Across Indonesia Learn about the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: The Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy

Bali, 25 June 2012 – UNESCO and EF English First Indonesia co-organized UNESCO’s World Heritage Education programme in Bali from 24 to 26 June, 2012. The event was supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, the Provincial Government of Bali and the Tabanan Regency Government. Following the success of UNESCO’s World Heritage Education programme at the Borobudur Temple Compounds in 2011, this event marked the second World Heritage Education programme organized by UNESCO and EF English First Indonesia. Bali was chosen for this year’s event as the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province has recently been nominated for UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

During the three-day World Heritage Education programme, 200 students, from the ages of 8 to 18 from across Indonesia, attended two introductory workshops that were facilitated by Head of Culture Unit of UNESCO Office Jakarta (Masanori Nagaoka) and a lecturer from Udayana University (Wiwik Dharmiasih). Both workshops taught students about the importance of being involved in heritage conservation on a local level, including the protection of the Subak’s elusive culture and various traditions. Moreover, they also had the opportunity to learn about the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana that promotes a harmonious relationship between the individual and the realms of the spirit (parhyangan), the human world (pawongan), and nature (palemahan).

The World Heritage Education programme is designed to promote discussion and encourage interaction with others, resulting in the re-affirmation of young people’s own identity whilst promoting mutual respect for other people. The various activities that were organized during the 3-day World Heritage Education programme are intended to develop an appreciation, a sense of identity and belonging to their own country. With such self-awareness in place, the young generation would have a stronger basis of the knowledge of their history and cultural heritage preservation.

• 27-06-2012