The close of 2024 marks almost a year since CRU Indonesia embarked on its journey as an independent  association, following its launch on February 7, 2024, in Jakarta. Like a person growing into adulthood, CRU Indonesia is evolving, shaping its organizational identity and capabilities. Guided by the shared vision and mission of its founders and members, CRU Indonesia is building upon the wealth of knowledge and experiences gained during its previous existence as an initiative of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), under the Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD) from 2015 to late 2023.

As time has passed, CRU Indonesia has continuously explored avenues for learning to establish and solidify its identity as an organization focused and committed to just, inclusive, and sustainable development. Through dialogues to foster peaceful development discourse, capacity building for stakeholders, and promoting mainstreaming efforts to reduce conflict risk and respect and protect human rights, particularly in land and natural resource management.

Challenges and Opportunities

The path to establishing an independent institution has been arduous, marked by numerous internal and external obstacles. External challenges are deeply intertwined with the ever-changing political landscape that influences regulations and development policies, particularly those governing land use and natural resources. These challenges are frequently connected to the complex interplay of regional and global political and economic forces. Internally, the organization has faced hurdles related to its capacity and sustainability, including issues pertaining to both human resources and finances.

These challenges serve as a catalyst for CRU Indonesia to remain innovative and imaginative in addressing them. The supportive roles of various parties in assisting CRU Indonesia to overcome these challenges and the learning processes they bring cannot be overlooked, including government agencies, donor agencies, civil society organizations, academics, and businesses oriented towards sustainability. It must be jointly recognized that amidst the increasingly complex dynamics at national, regional, and global levels, CRU Indonesia will continue to face new challenges and opportunities. The change in national leadership in 2024 undoubtedly cannot be ignored for its influence on policy directions, both those that are prospective and those that are indicated to have unavoidable risks to the social, ecological, and economic aspects of land and natural resource management in Indonesia.

Stepping into the Future

As CRU Indonesia moves into 2025, it carries forward the knowledge and insights gained from its journey. This accumulated experience will serve as a catalyst for innovative strategies that can adapt to the changing landscape of the future.

Anticipating future challenges, CRU Indonesia is proactively designing innovative programs and services that go beyond mere conflict resolution. By training skilled assessors and mediators, offering strategic counsel, and conducting comprehensive system audits, we are committed to reducing risks for sustainable businesses. Our tailored approach guarantees that our solutions are both practical and aligned with the diverse needs of all parties involved.

However, CRU Indonesia does not rely solely on managerial and programmatic tactics, recognizing that the complexities of national and global dynamics demand more than just technical skills and abilities. CRU Indonesia’s connections with various parties at the local, national, and global levels—be they institutions, individuals as part of the Executive Team, or its members—serve as an inexhaustible source of understanding and knowledge regarding external dynamics as both challenges and opportunities. Within every challenge lies an opportunity—a chance to improve, act more wisely, and develop a more inclusive approach.

As the old saying goes, “To discover how far you can go, you must be willing to go farther than you ever thought possible.”

A Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, and a Happy New Year to everyone. Let us move forward together into a brighter future – one that is just, inclusive, and sustainable.