We have received over forty film submissions from more than twenty nations/tribes in Asia Pacific and we are blown away by the enthusiasm shown by these indigenous filmmakers/storytellers. Our selection committee have carefully curated the films and we are glad to announce that eighteen films have been selected as the official selections of KIIFF2021.
On 29th June 2021, Ranu Welum Foundation held a webinar entitled “SMART VOICE: Digital Offline Learning Kit (Alternative Solution For Teachers in Remote Areas)”. This webinar is a follow-up to the Smart Voice project supported by AIYP and UNESCO which have been presented in regional and international level. This webinar was joined by participants which consisted of mostly educators, education activists, education foundations, local government and the last but not least’s teachers from remote areas who were enthusiasts to know more about this learning kit.
It took a while for us to find young people who were willing to be at the frontline to battle the forest fires. However, these fifteen people have shown determination and courage to finish the training.
Ranu Welum conducted a webinar entitled “Discussing Environmental Issues in Kalimantan through Youth Perspective.” This webinar was set up as part of our leadership program, which aimed to equip the Kalimantan Green Warriors community to understand more about the issues.
SMART VOICE LEARNING KIT is officially launched! Click to watch full video of launching event (in Bahasa) and also film KAHARAPEN, a documentary on the process of creating this digital offline learning tool.
During the period of January - April, Ranu Welum Foundation worked on a project to create a solution for teachers and students in remote areas who are affected by the pandemic. Together with the local teachers, we created SMART VOICE, a learning kit which consists of the collection of audio recordings from teachers and also a module which contains material and task for students.
Their elders live alongside the forest and preserve it. However, fire, logging, and use of land as plantation are slowly eroding the forest area. “The youths, particularly those who live in the city, are no longer connected to the forest. Just like me, who only returned after 20 years,” said 24 years old Sumarni.
On 10 April 2021, Ranu Welum held a film premiere with the villagers in Talekoi for its newest documentary, entitled Kaharapen, which means ‘whom we put our hope’.
“We have this saying ‘Penyang Hinje Simpei,’” she says of her motivation for her work. “It is from the Sangiang language, a language that is usually used when carrying out rituals of communicating with ancestral spirits and means ‘unity and oneness.’ I think in the context of restoration, this saying encourages every one of us to always work hand-in-hand together to protect our Mother Earth and walk in the same direction.”
With topic on Forest, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth and Employment, Emmanuela shared the Dayak perspective on seeing the forests and wildlife. “People see forests, they see money. They talk about economic value. It’s different for us. We see forests, we see life,” said Emmanuela.
In celebrating the International Women’s Day 2021, RWF launched a campaign called BAWI (Brave, Aspiring, Wise, Intelligent). The purpose is to highlight the works and achievements by Dayak women who have inspired many people and impacted their communities.
