More than 100 students filled a hall at Sriwijaya University (Unsri) in Palembang, South Sumatra, on 5 August. Together with representatives from local government and academia, they came with questions about an issue that could shape their future: What will happen as their home province gradually moves away from its dependence on coal?
For South Sumatra, the question is particularly important. Coal has long played a major role in the province's economy. But as Indonesia moves towards a low-carbon future, the province needs to find new sources of growth while ensuring that workers and communities are not left behind.
© Unsri
Throughout the event, the students raised questions that reflected both curiosity and concern. What are the main challenges developing countries face in pursuing a just transition? What can Indonesia learn from other countries? How can the transition ensure equality and inclusion? And what role can young people play in addressing environmental issues?
These questions sparked lively discussions during Powering the Future: Challenges and Opportunities in the Era of Energy Transition, a workshop organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with Unsri under the Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project.
The workshop invited students to look beyond the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It encouraged them to think about what the transition means for jobs, skills and livelihoods as well as how young people themselves can help shape a greener and more inclusive future for South Sumatra.
Looking beyond coal
© Unsri
Speaking at the event, Hari Wibawa, Head of Economic Affairs and Development Financing at the South Sumatra Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), explained the province's economic situation and efforts to identify sectors that could provide new sources of growth as dependence on coal gradually declines.
Together with the ILO, we have established a Regional Consultation Forum as a platform for social dialogue on the impact of the energy transition on the world of work.
Hari Wibawa, Head of Economic Affairs and Development Financing at the South Sumatra Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda)
He added that stakeholders have also developed a Skills Development Roadmap to help prepare workers for economic transformation. The roadmap identifies the plantation and tourism sectors as priorities for supporting economic diversification in a province that has traditionally depended heavily on the coal industry.
Nengyanti, a lecturer and gender expert at Unsri's Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, reminded participants that the transition must also provide opportunities for those who have often faced barriers in the labour market. She pointed to data showing that women continue to face barriers to formal employment, skills development opportunities and access to new technologies. As South Sumatra prepares for economic change, she stressed that women need to be actively involved and given access to the skills and opportunities needed to benefit from emerging sectors.
South Sumatra's coffee sector has great potential, and I hope the local government and other stakeholders can further develop it as part of the province's economic diversification while protecting our environment and forests.
M. Afif Khairi, a 22-year-old International Relations student at University of Sriwijaya
For the young people in the room, the transition may seem like something that will happen years from now. But Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator in Indonesia, reminded them that the changes are already taking place and that they have a role to play. He encouraged students to pay closer attention to the shift towards renewable energy and the development of more sustainable sectors, including agriculture and tourism, in their own province.
"A just energy transition is not only about replacing one source of energy with another. It is also about preparing people for the jobs of the future," Muce said. "As the young generation of South Sumatra, you need to be aware and prepared. You do not want to become guests in your own province or simply watch the changes happening around you. You should take action and be part of the movement to shape the future of your own communities."
The message was echoed by M. Afif Khairi, a 22-year-old International Relations student who has just completed his undergraduate thesis on critical minerals. "I hope we are not simply moving from one extractive industry to another. South Sumatra's coffee sector has great potential, and I hope the local government and other stakeholders can further develop it as part of the province's economic diversification while protecting our environment and forests."
You do not want to become guests in your own province or simply watch the changes happening around you. You should take action and be part of the movement to shape the future of your own communities.
Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator in Indonesia
From discussion to action
© ILO
The event concluded with the launch of a partnership between the ILO and university students to raise awareness about the just energy transition through social media. Selected students will develop social media content and articles to share what they have learned with their peers, families and communities.
The initiative is part of the ILO Youth Network, which engages young people on employment and labour issues and supports them in becoming advocates for a better future of work. The Network has established partnerships with several universities and university networks across Indonesia, including Sriwijaya University, Airlangga University, the Nationwide University Network in Indonesia (NUNI), Esa Unggul University, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Atma Jaya Catholic University and Diponegoro University (Undip).
What is special for the students in South Sumatra is that the ILO Youth Network encourages them to think about what the transition could mean for their province, their communities and, eventually, their own careers and to become part of that change.
Gita Lingga, ILO Senior Communications Officer
