Eight influential Teungku Inong, religious leaders from various dayahs, schools, and religious institutions in Aceh, have embarked on a transformative journey to Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, Depok, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) from May 22 – 30, 2024. Their mission was to learn from best practices in sustainable environmental management and bring these insights back to their communities.

“A Transformative Journey: Teungku Inong Towards Sustainability”

Eight influential Teungku Inong, religious leaders from various dayahs, schools, and religious institutions in Aceh, have embarked on a transformative journey to Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, Depok, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) from May 22 – 30, 2024. Their mission was to learn from best practices in sustainable environmental management and bring these insights back to their communities.

This comparative study provided a unique opportunity for these women leaders to witness first-hand the application of sustainability principles at various scales. From the grassroots level at Cibanteng Eduwisata Village, where they learned about organic waste management and wise utilization of natural resources, to larger-scale initiatives such as Hiris Farm in Bogor and waste management at IPB’s Taman Semangat, the Teungku Inong gained a comprehensive understanding of environmental management.

Beyond the technical aspects of sustainable practices, the trip also facilitated valuable networking opportunities. The Teungku Inong interacted with various stakeholders, including academics, government officials, youth organizations, and religious leaders, to forge partnerships and collaborate on future initiatives. These connections with organizations such as UNAS, KLHK, Eco-Bhinneka, Kisuci, PP Muhammadiyah, MUI, and Misykat Al-Anwar Ecological Boarding School will be instrumental in expanding sustainable practices in Aceh.

Hands-on experiences, such as making bio-saka, eco-enzyme, and recycling plastic waste into keychains, not only deepen Teungku Inong’s understanding of sustainable practices but also ignite their passion for environmental conservation. These practical skills can be shared with their communities, empowering individuals to take action at the local level.

The potential impact of this comparative study is vast. By integrating sustainability principles into their teaching and daily lives, Teungku Inong can inspire and mobilize their communities to adopt environmentally friendly practices. This can lead to the formation of environmental awareness groups, integration of sustainability into the education curriculum, development of community-based ecotourism initiatives, and increased participation of women in environmental decision-making.

When the Teungku Inong returned to Aceh, they brought with them not only new knowledge and skills, but also a new spirit. Their journey is a true testament to the power of education, collaboration and individual action in addressing global environmental challenges.