September 15, 2026 | 06:46 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Veldesen Yaputra, a young man from Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, achieved international recognition by securing second place in the UNESCO x vivo video competition held at the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine Biosphere Reserve in Italy.
The award was presented on September 10, 2026, following a competition in which Veldesen—alongside 15 participants from 13 countries—explored the dynamics between human interaction, local culture, economic activities, and environmental change.
I.G.A.K. Satrya Wibawa, Deputy Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Indonesia to UNESCO, welcomed the achievement as a testament to the capacity of Indonesia's youth to bring a national perspective to the global stage.
"Veldesen’s achievement is not merely about winning an award; it is about how young Indonesians can contribute their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives to the global conversation on sustainability," Satrya said in a written statement on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Satrya emphasized that global challenges such as climate change require intellectual contributions from various nations, making the active involvement of the younger generation on the international stage vital.
Veldesen, who holds a background in Environmental Design from Tsinghua University, China, and focuses on sustainable architecture and green building, created a video work grounded in field research and cross-cultural experiences.
During the four-day program in Italy, he engaged directly with local residents, olive oil producers, and environmental researchers to document the tangible impacts of climate change on the local ecosystem.
According to Veldesen, farmers are beginning to face changes in agricultural yields and crop growth cycles due to shifting climatic conditions.
A particularly impactful moment occurred when the group visited the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine Biosphere Reserve. There, Veldesen witnessed firsthand trees that had withered and lost their leaves. Conversations with local researchers revealed that these changes were linked to shifting environmental and climatic conditions.
This experience offered him a new perspective on sustainability. Veldesen noted that environmental degradation does not always stem from direct human exploitation; climate change can alter ecosystems even in the absence of visible, direct human pressure. "The world today is very fragile. Nature can change even without human intervention," said Veldesen.
In the video he produced using a smartphone, Veldesen combined three academic and geographical perspectives from his own experiences: Indonesia, China, and Italy.
This narrative approach and depth of storytelling earned him second place, even though his primary background is not in videography.
Through this achievement, Veldesen hopes that more young Indonesians will actively conduct environmental research, explore forms of local adaptation, and have the courage to take on roles in international forums such as those of the UN and UNESCO.
"We represent Indonesia. Wherever we conduct experiments and learn, we remain Indonesian citizens. What we produce also carries the name of Indonesia," Veldesen stated.
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