2) WEST PAPUA YOUTH LEAD GLOBAL CALL TO DEFEND FORESTS

3) Indonesia must show its foundational pledge of ‘unity in diversity’ is a genuine commitment, not empty rhetoric

4) President Wenda: West Papua will never be an internal matter for Indonesia

———————————————————————

Human Rights Monitor

https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/shooting-of-civilians-by-military-members-triggers-civil-unrest-in-agats-asmat-regency/

1) Shooting of civilians by military members triggers civil unrest in Agats, Asmat Regency

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 29 September 2025 

On 27 September 2025, military members (TNI) of the 123/Rajawali Task Force opened fire on civilians in the town of Agats, Asmat Regency, South Papua Province, following an altercation. Mr Irenius Bawataipot, 21, was fatally shot at close range, while at least four other civilians, including a minor, Erik Yakonias Amiyaram, were injured. In the aftermath, angry residents carried the body of the victim to the nearby TNI post and set fire to military facilities. TNI personnel reportedly fired indiscriminately into the crowd and deployed a drone-dropped bomb on a civilian settlement, which failed to detonate (see photos below, source: independent HRDs).

Various sources confirmed that the incident began around 08:40 am, when 123/Rajawali Task Force personnel responded to reports of disturbances involving an intoxicated man who had injured two residents with a spear. In the ensuing confrontation, Task Force soldiers opened fire, resulting in the death of Mr Irenius Bawataipot. He sustained a lethal bullet wound on the head (lethalsee photos below, source: independent HRD). His body was carried by the community to a TNI post in protest, sparking anger and a violent confrontation. Residents attacked and set fire to at least two TNI posts (BLK Post and Mandala Post) and damaged public facilities. In response, joint security force personnel fired indiscriminately at the crowd, injuring multiple civilians, including minor Erik Yakonias Amiyaram, who sustained a gunshot wound to the left thigh. Drone-based munitions were also deployed, though one bomb reportedly did not explode.

The Asmat Regent, Mr Thomas Eppe Safanpo, publicly condemned the killing and called for the prosecution of the perpetrators under military law, stressing that Asmat is not a conflict area and demanding an evaluation of the TNI’s deployment in the region. Civil society actors, including the student groups, strongly denounced the incident as a serious violation of Indonesian criminal law(Article 338 of the Criminal Code on intentional killing) and the TNI’s own mandate under Law No. 34/2004 on the TNI.

Human rights analysis

This incident constitutes a violation of the right to life (Article 6, ICCPR), the prohibition of arbitrary killings, and the protection of civilians under both domestic and international law. While one of the victims was allegedly intoxicated and holding a weapon, the shooting of four unarmed civilians and the use of heavy weaponry, including drone-dropped explosives, in a civilian-populated area, amount to excessive use of force and potentially indiscriminate attacks. The injury of a child further breaches Indonesia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Law No. 23/2002 on Child Protection.

The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials (1990)stipulate that law enforcement officers may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty, and that lethal force may only be used as a last resort to protect life. The killing of Irenius Bawataipot, the indiscriminate firing on civilians, and the dropping of a bomb on a residential settlement starkly contravene these principles, representing a disproportionate and unlawful use of force.

Table of victims

No	Name	Age	Status	Additional information
1	Irenius Bawataipot	21	Deceased	Shot in the head at close range by TNI Task Force 123/Rajawali in Agats.
2	Erik Yakonias Amiyaram	Minor (exact age not confirmed)	Injured	Sustained gunshot wound to the left thigh.
3	Unidentified Butonese man	Adult	Injured	Shot and injured during indiscriminate firing by TNI.
4	Unidentified Asmat civilian 1	Adult	Injured	Shot and injured during clashes between residents and TNI.
5	Unidentified Asmat civilian 2	Adult	Injured	Gunshot wound on the left thumb

Civil victims of the shooting during civil unrest in Agats on 27 September 2025

Undetoneted mortar grenade dropped by a drone on a civilian settlement in Agats, 27 September 2025

Civil unrest in Agats on 27 September 2025

——————————————————————————————

https://tanahair.net/west-papua-youth-lead-global-call-to-defend-forests/

2) WEST PAPUA YOUTH LEAD GLOBAL CALL TO DEFEND FORESTS

 September 30, 2025

Jakarta — The voices of Indigenous youth must be at the centre of global climate negotiations, Greenpeace Indonesia urged, as forest defenders from West Papua and beyond gathered to launch a united call for action.

“Shamefully, the voices of youth, and especially Indigenous youth, are routinely sidelined in decision-making. My hope is that from this forest defender camp our voices will carry to the national and international stage,” said Nabot Sreklefat of the Knasaimos Indigenous Youth Community in West Papua.

Sreklefat’s words opened the Forest Defender Camp in Sira Village, Tehit-Knasaimos territory, where 89 Indigenous youth from across the world’s major tropical rainforests gathered to forge a united front against the twin climate and biodiversity crises. The week-long camp brought together representatives from all seven customary regions of West Papua, alongside delegates from the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo.

Sira Declaration

The event culminated in the Sira Declaration, a joint call for world leaders to legally recognise Indigenous rights, grant direct access to climate finance, and protect ancestral territories. The declaration underscores how Indigenous communities—who act as frontline guardians of forests—face common threats from deforestation, land grabbing, and exclusion from policymaking.

For Indonesia, the declaration highlights West Papua’s forests, which are among the most biodiverse in the world. Greenpeace Indonesia called on global leaders to listen directly to the camp’s message.

“The twin climate and biodiversity crises pose an existential global threat to the future of the younger generation. The voices that reach the ears of world leaders must be those of the true protectors of our forests. Indigenous youth are the key to Earth’s future,” said Kiki Taufik, Global Head of Greenpeace’s Indonesia forests campaign.

A global alliance

Amazonian leader Nathalia Kycendekarun Apurinã echoed the urgency, stressing that Indigenous knowledge is central to addressing planetary crises. “The climate crisis requires everyone – governments, businesses, and international organisations to join us,” said the spokesperson for The Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB).

She added that “the solution exists, and it is rooted in our traditional knowledge and our connection to nature. The time for action is now”.

The Sira Declaration will be carried forward to international talks, including the UN climate conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, this November. (nsh)

Banner photo: A Papuan Indigenous woman of Tehit tribe stands under Merbau tree during the Forest Defender Camp 2025 in the Sira village forest, at Knasaimos customary area in South Sorong, Southwest Papua. 26 September 2025. © Jurnasyanto Sukarno / Greenpeace

———-

https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/yalimo-tragedy-exposes-indonesias-failed-pluralism-in-papua/

Yalimo tragedy exposes Indonesia’s failed pluralism in Papua

3) Indonesia must show its foundational pledge of ‘unity in diversity’ is a genuine commitment, not empty rhetoric

By KURNIAWAN ARIF MASPULSEPTEMBER 30, 2025

When a playground insult in Yalimo, Papua, escalated into a blaze that killed three people, wounded dozens and displaced more than 170 villagers, it exposed a stark truth about Indonesian democracy: laws, slogans and national ceremonies can mask a quieter illness —the everyday racism that, when triggered, turns neighbor against neighbor.

But more dangerous is what it stoked: an unresolved divide between Indonesia’s constitutional promise of unity and the experience of many Papuans. This is not a local dispute to be addressed by emergency aid; it is a national challenge of whether pluralism can become real beyond mere words.

Indonesia was founded on the promise of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” — “unity in diversity” in Bahasa — and its constitution forbids racial discrimination. The state officially recognizessome 1,331 ethnic groups, and the post-1997-98 financial crisis-sparked reformasi era widened civic space in ways that once felt unimaginable.

Yet patterns persist: repeated episodes of anti-Papuan harassment in Java, the 2019 dormitory attacks that sent thousands of Papuan students home in fear and the more prominentcommunal clashes elsewhere in the archipelago – including the Sampit violence in Kalimantan and the anti-Chinese violence of 1998 –all reveal a recurring dynamic in which economic grievances, demographic shifts and toxic rumors turn identity into a fault line.

Human-rights monitors and UN experts have repeatedly warned of “deeply entrenched discrimination” against Papuans. Yalimo is the latest, stark confirmation.

If Indonesia is to move beyond mere rhetoric about tolerance, it must do three things simultaneously: make education the frontline of prevention, ensure the law is transparent and fair, and guarantee that local governance is inclusive and accountable.

First, education should be redesigned as democratic infrastructure. Curricula must include diverse histories, civic literacy and media resilience from the earliest years. Teacher training should prepare educators to mediate differences rather than inflame conflicts.

Practical pilots — such as mother-tongue early literacy programs in remote Papuan districts, exchange initiatives bringing Papuan and Javanese students together and vocational pathways linked to local economies — are inexpensive preventive measures compared to a destroyed village. 

UNESCO’s guidance on intercultural education and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets on equitable, quality education offer immediate blueprints Jakarta can expand.

At the same time, the state must enforce anti-discrimination laws swiftly and visibly. Indonesia’s penal code and hate speech provisions already criminalize incitement on SARA (Ethnicity, Religion, Race and Intergroup Relations) grounds, but enforcement remains uneven: victims often receive only belated apologies, while symbols of Papuan identity are often treated as security threats.

That selective application corrodes trust. The remedy is procedural: independent, public investigations for SARA incidents; transparent prosecutions when evidence supports them; and prompt, dignified compensation and rehabilitation for victims. Make prosecutions, not silence, the predictable outcome when race-based abuse tips toward violence. That is the clearest signal the rule of law can send.

As a further step, rebuild local social contracts through inclusive governance and equitable development. Papua’s chronic underinvestment, seen in persistent gaps in health, education and infrastructure, is the long fuse behind episodic flare-ups. Special autonomy was intended to devolve power and revenue, but implementationhas been halting.

Recommit to transparent revenue sharing from resource projects, legally recognize adat institutions’ land rights where appropriate and tie public procurement and hiring to measurable local employment targets. Simple, accountable local budgets that deliver clinics, classrooms and culturally appropriate services shift incentives away from grievance and into stakeholding.

Beyond these three pillars, the state must demonstrate its seriousness. It should urgently establish a national task force led by the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Commission on Human Rights to publish a comprehensive Yalimo incident report with provisional findings and coordinate an immediate, dignified relief plan for victims.

Roll out rapid intercultural teacher training across affected districts and create a public dashboard that tracks SARA complaints, prosecutions and case outcomes so justice is visible, not whispered. Fund and launch pilots in mother-tongue early literacy and interprovincial student exchanges to rebuild everyday trust.

Order a transparent audit of special autonomy revenue flows in Papua so communities see that resources reach them. Make these measures unmistakable signals: sympathy must be converted into accountability, and words into protection.

Indonesia should also learn from comparative practices without mimicry. Australian multicultural programs and anti-discrimination frameworks offer techniques — community harmony grants, mandated anti-bias curricula, hate-crime registries — that can be adapted to the Indonesian archipelago’s scale and complexity.

Equally, restorative justice mechanisms and community reconciliation models used elsewhere show that criminal justice must be coupled with rituals of repair: apologies, truth-telling and local agreements that rebuild trust between communities. These are not sentimental gestures; they are politically smart tools to defuse cycles of retribution.

Above all, this is both an international and domestic obligation. Indonesia’s claim to moral leadership within ASEAN and on the global stage rests in part on its pluralist model. If Jakarta fails to address racism at home, its credibility in promoting religious tolerance and human rights abroad will fade.

Conversely, decisive reforms that prevent another Yalimo will be a model for diverse democracies worldwide – showing how to turn heterogeneity from a governance challenge into a competitive advantage.

UN human rights mechanisms, the Global Centre for Pluralism and civil-society partners should be invited to help design, monitor and evaluate reforms — not as an erosion of sovereignty, but as a cooperative investment in resilience.

Yalimo should mark a turning point, not just a headline. The republic must decide whether its pledge of unity in diversity is empty rhetoric or a genuine commitment. That decision is practical: fund classrooms and clinics, prosecute those who spread hatred, decentralize power fairly and teach the next generation to see difference as an asset rather than a threat.

If it does, Indonesia will better embody its foundational philosophy of Pancasila, with social justice, unity and equality at the core of its national identity.

If it doesn’t, the country will repeatedly pay the price for a promise left unfulfilled. The time for action is now – morally, politically and strategically – and the true test will be whether leaders make reform unavoidable, not optional.

Kurniawan Arif Maspul is a researcher and interdisciplinary writer focusing on Islamic diplomacy and Southeast Asian political thought. He holds an MEd in advanced teaching, an MBA and MA in Islamic Studies, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Islamic Banking and Finance at Al-Madinah International University in Malaysia. His articles have appeared in ASPI’s The Strategist, Lowy Institute’s The Interpreter and Southeast Asian academic forums.

————————————————————

4) President Wenda: West Papua will never be an internal matter for Indonesia

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

No matter what the Indonesian ambassador to Fiji might say, West Papua is not and will never be an internal matter for Indonesia. 

West Papua is a colonised country, not a province of Indonesia. In 1961 we celebrated our Independence Day, raised our flag, and sang our national anthem. West Papua was set to become the first free Melanesian state. Even after Indonesia invaded we were promised a referendum by the UN. Indonesia knew that we would vote overwhelmingly for independence; that’s why in 1969 they violated the terms of the New York Agreement by forcing 1026 elders to vote against freedom on behalf of more than 800,000. 

The only long-term solution is for us to be allowed a genuine act of self-determination through an internationally-supervised vote. Because our issue was born at the UN, it can only be resolved through the UN.

This is not a political issue, but a matter of history and international law. Self-determination is the heart of the West Papuan struggle. Its continual violation is at the heart of every injustice we suffer, from the destruction of our forest to the replacement of our people through transmigration. Every political action we take is directed towards fulfilling this fundamental right. If the world wants to know what a real referendum would look like, they should look to the 2017 People’s Petition. Over 1.8 million West Papuans – more than 70% of the Indigenous population – signed the Petition, demonstrating the sincere and universal demand of West Papuans for liberation. Though we come from many different tribes and political perspectives, the West Papuan people speak with one voice in demanding our freedom. Every West Papuan yearns for Merdeka.

Indonesia should follow the example set by MSG nations. Was Bougainville an internal matter for Papua New Guinea? Or Kanaky for France? In both cases referendums have been held in recent years. 

The Ambassador’s comments reflect Indonesia’s terror of a unified Pacific standing behind their Melanesian family in West Papua. They know that all Melanesians support our peaceful struggle and want to see us become full members of the MSG. That is why Indonesia practices their chequebook diplomacy, offering Melanesian countries generous aid packages and trade deals to ensure their silence on West Papua. But they will ultimately fail. In the end, the Pacific will do the right thing, just as they did by supporting Kanaky.

Indonesia wants to pretend that West Papua is a done deal. West Papua is a righteous anti-colonial struggle that the whole world should support. The answer to Indonesia’s media blackout is to give West Papua a voice at the MSG. The answer to colonisation is self-determination. 

Benny Wenda
President
ULMWP

--------------------------------

1) The Answer is Us: Indigenous Youth Climate and Biodiversity Message

2) UNESCO recognises Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago as biosphere reserve 

3) Govt prepares 481,000 hectares in Papua for food self-sufficiency  

----------------------------------------

https://www.greenpeace.org/southeastasia/press/67963/the-answer-is-us-indigenous-youth-climate-and-biodiversity-message/

1) The Answer is Us: Indigenous Youth Climate and Biodiversity Message

Igor ONeill

September 29, 2025  

Sorong, West Papua, Sept. 29, 2025 – Indigenous forest defenders forged a new alliance this past week in the heart of West Papua’s tropical rainforest. The Forest Defender Camp, constructed among the trees by the Sira Village community on Tehit-Knasaimos Indigenous territory,  accommodated Indigenous youth from all seven customary regions of West Papua. The camp also drew Indigenous youth representatives from the Congo Basin, the Amazon, and Borneo, who gathered to show unified resistance against the forces driving the climate and biodiversity crises.

Ahead of scheduled international biodiversity and climate talks later this year, the Forest Defender Camp was conceived as a means of strengthening the movement to defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to amplify their voices. Over several days of intensive discussions, the camp’s 89 Indigenous participants agreed upon a call to action for world leaders, captured in the Sira Declaration.

The declaration outlines demands reflecting the common challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples across the Congo Basin, the Amazon, Borneo, and West Papua, including calling for legal protection for Indigenous rights and direct access to climate funding for those who are the most reliable guardians of the world’s critical ecosystems.

Nabot Sreklefat of the Knasaimos Indigenous Youth Community believes the presence of representatives from throughout West Papua and from the other major tropical rainforest regions of the world is a source of profound inspiration. “Shamefully, the voices of youth, and especially Indigenous youth, are routinely sidelined in decision-making. My hope is that from this forest defender camp our voices will carry to the national and international stage,” he said while opening the camp.

Nathalia Kycendekarun Apurinã, an Amazonian Indigenous leader and forum participant, delivered a powerful message: the world’s equatorial rainforests and the people who protect them are the very foundation of life on Earth, safeguarding biodiversity and providing air, water, and climate stability. She stressed that Indigenous youth share a commitment to protect their ancestral lands, honour their heritage, and secure a future for their descendants.

“The climate crisis requires everyone – governments, businesses, and international organisations to join us. The solution exists, and it is rooted in our traditional knowledge and our connection to nature. The time for action is now. For this planet to survive, the tropical forests of the Congo Basin, the Amazon, Borneo, and West Papua must remain intact. Leaders say they’re searching for an answer, but the answer has always been here. The answer is us,” said Nathalia, who is a spokesperson for The Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB).

Kiki Taufik, Global Head of Greenpeace’s Indonesia forests campaign, hopes the Sira Declaration will carry Indigenous Peoples’ demands to the 30th climate conference in Belem, Brazil, this November. “The twin climate and biodiversity crises pose an existential global threat to the future of the younger generation. The voices that reach the ears of world leaders must be those of the true protectors of our forests. Indigenous youth are the key to Earth’s future,” Kiki said.

Notes:
Read the full Sira Declaration.
Photos and videos are available for use.

Media Contacts:
Igor O’Neill, Greenpeace Indonesia, ioneill@greenpeace.org +61-414-288-424
Amos Sumbung, Greenpeace Indonesia, +62811486327

——----------------------------------------------------

https://en.vietnamplus.vn/unesco-recognises-indonesias-raja-ampat-archipelago-as-biosphere-reserve-post327445.vnp

WORLD

2) UNESCO recognises Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago as biosphere reserve 

30/09/2025 03:32

This recognition marks another milestone following the UNESCO Global Geopark title that Raja Ampat received in 2023, making it one of the few places in the world to simultaneously hold two international titles from UNESCO.

Jakarta (VNA) – Raja Ampat, a famous archipelago in Indonesia's West Papua province, has been recognised as a biosphere reserve. Among the 30 new UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves, Raja Ampat is considered the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on Earth.

This recognition marks another milestone following the UNESCO Global Geopark title that Raja Ampat received in 2023, making it one of the few places in the world to simultaneously hold two international titles from UNESCO.

The reserve covers about 135,000 sq.km with more than 610 islands, of which only 34 are inhabited. Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the area boasts the world’s richest coral reef ecosystem, with over 75% of the world’s coral species, more than 1,320 species of reef fish, and five rare and endangered sea turtle species, including the Hawksbill turtle. About 60% of the reefs are in good to excellent condition.

With two international designations, Raja Ampat is recognised not only for its unique geological heritage but also for its outstanding biodiversity. It is a place where conservation, science, indigenous knowledge, and sustainable development intersect, benefiting both local communities and the planet.

According to UNESCO, biosphere reserves act as “living laboratories” where communities, scientists, and governments collaborate on three pillars: conserving biodiversity and landscapes; promoting sustainable socio-economic development; and enhancing understanding through research, education, training, and knowledge sharing.

Today, the world has more than 700 Biosphere Reserves in over 130 countries, covering more than 5% of the land area, serving as models of balance between conservation and sustainable use for the approximately 275 million people living in them./.

——-

https://en.antaranews.com/amp/news/383177/govt-prepares-481000-hectares-in-papua-for-food-self-sufficiency

3) Govt prepares 481,000 hectares in Papua for food self-sufficiency  

September 29, 2025 16:48 GMT+

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs has allocated 481 thousand hectares of land in the Wanam National Strategic Project (PSN) in Ilwayab, Merauke District, South Papua Province, to accelerate national food and energy self-sufficiency.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan stated here on Monday that development of the PSN is already underway.

His side is waiting for the signing of a contract between state-owned food company PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara and the implementing agency for paddy field development.

“The government continues to strengthen governance in food self-sufficiency zones by ensuring every step is carried out properly,” he said after chairing a limited coordination meeting on accelerating the development of food, energy, and water self-sufficiency zones.

Hasan emphasized that environmental protection remains a top priority, including spatial planning, rights to cultivate (HGU), and administrative compliance, to ensure the sustainability of the program.

“We are preparing everything based on principles of empowerment, local wisdom, and sustainability,” he added.

He said the Wanam PSN will serve as a pillar of national self-reliance through food and energy self-sufficiency programs.

The Wanam PSN zone will produce rice as the main food commodity, alongside the development of ethanol and B50 biodiesel industries, he informed.

Ethanol will be sourced from sugarcane and cassava, while B50 is a blend of diesel fuel and palm oil.

He also mentioned plans to develop a propellant factory in the area, which would produce gas-generating chemicals used in firearms and rockets.

“This initiative will pave the way toward food, energy, and water independence. It is a major work that requires ongoing coordination between ministries and regional governments,” Hasan said.

Related news: Govt pursues food security for public welfare

Related news: Minister oversees food self-sufficiency areas development in Merauke

Translator: Uyu, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina

---------------------------------

West Papua-World Habitat Day Family Gathering – Part of the 2025 Nature Festival

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https://www.greenleft.org.au/2025-10/event/world-habitat-day-family-gathering-part-2025-nature-festival

World Habitat Day Family Gathering – Part of the 2025 Nature Festival

Hosted by

 

• Australian West Papuan Association South Australia
 
• Conservation SA

Arts, culture & social functions, Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide

When

2:00pm to 6:00pm Monday 06 October

Where

Yitpi Yartapuultiku
1300 Old Port Rd
Port Adelaide SA 5015
Australia

Why

A World Habitat Day Afternoon Gathering - Part of the 2025 Nature Festival South Australia

Hosted by the Australian West Papua Association of SA, Pacific Island Council of SA and Conservation Council of SA this experience invites you to journey from our local area across the wider continental region and through the rainforests, coastlines, and highlands of West Papua, exploring the deep connections between its vibrant ecosystems, Indigenous cultures, and the global climate justice movement.

As part of the Nature Festival’s "Flow" theme, we’ll explore the flow of rivers, resilience, and resistance—from rainforest canopy to grassroots movements for land protection.

Expect: A visual and sensory journey through West Papua’s landscapes and biodiversity Reflections on habitat loss, cultural resilience, and what solidarity looks like. The chance to connect with local environment and human rights organisations and find something meaningful, active, and outdoors to do together as an individual, couple, friendship group or as a family, this school holiday.

Bring the kids, your curiosity, and your sense of adventure to this hands-on community event marking World Habitat Day, where we’ll explore the forests, rivers, and oceans of West Papua—one of the most biodiverse (and most threatened) places on Earth. Plus engage with the environment at Yitpi Yartapuultiku and learn about local environmental issues.

Designed for curious kids and caring adults, this engaging, family-friendly experience will include:

• Interactive nature storytelling about wild creatures, rainforests, and brave protectors
• Creative hands-on activities
• A chance to learn how families and individuals can protect nature together—from SA to West Papua
• Quiet corners for reflective play and gentle mindfulness
• And a flow of hopeful stories about people and places making a difference

This event is perfect for families/groups and individuals who want to get outside, care for nature, and discover how even small actions can have a global impact.

• Onsite cafe open in the afternoon
• Food trucks from 4pm- 6.30pm

Free. All ages welcome. No prior knowledge required—just bring your imagination.

For scheduling updates check the Facebook event or check the Nature Festival event page.

Contact

Australian West Papuan Association South Australia
Raising awareness, support and funds for West Papuan causes.
0408 345 593
info@awpaadelaide.com
awpaadelaide.com
Facebook

Conservation SA
Conservation SA is the voice for South Australia's environment.
(08) 8223 5155
general@conservationsa.org.au
conservationsa.org.au
Facebook  •  Instagram

More details

More detailed info about the FREE Family Fun Afternoon – Celebrate Habitat & Culture!

Join us for an action-packed, FREE afternoon full of hands-on fun, cultural performances, and creative activities for all ages – all in celebration of World Habitat Day!

What’s on offer?

Explore incredible interactive stalls inspired by West Papua and the local natural world:

Build a Habitat! – Can you create the perfect home for a tree kangaroo or a red kangaroo?
Coastal Habitat Treasure Hunt – Discover coastal life through a fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt.
Melting Tropical Glaciers – Experiment with ice and warm water to learn about climate impacts on tropical glaciers.
Messages of Hope – Add your voice with drawings and messages for World Habitat Day.

Dress-up Fun! – Try on traditional West Papuan headdresses and jewellery and strike a pose!
Take-home Nature Crafts – Create your own native succulent cutting and clay seedball to grow at home!

Plus, don’t miss the Bring Back the Butterflies interactive community stall
Pacific Island Dancers will light up the stage with vibrant performances
Live acoustic music to keep the vibes going all afternoon
Watch a powerful short film on one of the largest deforestation projects in Asia – currently happening in West Papua – screening on the big screen

Even more to explore!

• Exciting nature playground
• Yitpi Foundation displays
• Delicious treats at the onsite café
• Plus, more free stalls and activities from our amazing community partners still to be announced!

Don’t miss this incredible day of fun, learning, and celebration for the whole family!

Stay tuned for updates – and invite your friends to come along!

Accessibility event info

Parking and drop off: Four Accessible parking bays will be available at the Yitpi Yartapuultiku carpark- entrance is off Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide left when driving into the Port Adelaide Shopping district

Safe passenger Drop-Off zones will be available at the turning area off Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide

There is general parking onsite.

Plus if this onsite parking is full you can find parking in the following nearby locations;

• Port Adelaide Rugby Union Oval carpark (Baynes Place. Enter off Langham Place or Commercial Road)
• Paddle SA carpark across Bower Rd
• Port Adelaide Plaza southern carpark

Bathrooms: There is a fully accessible Universal Changing Places bathroom on site, and this requires a special key. Please let the organisers know if you don’t have their own and will need access to a key. There is also a parent room and ambulant unisex toilets.

Pathways: The paths around Yitpi Yartapuultiku are compact gravel and rollable in both manual and power wheelchairs (though a little assistance may be useful in the spots closer to the water). The building and main paths around the facility are fully wheelchair accessible. There are some parts of the nature play area that may be less easy to navigate.

Seating: There will be designated accessible seating areas for presentations or performances. There is lift access to mezzanine level.

Communication access: We are currently seeking funding to make the event inclusive for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

Quiet space: Along with the quiet outdoors areas there will be a designating a quiet area indoors for people who need a sensory break.

World Habitat Day Family Gathering – Part of the 2025 Nature Festival

Hosted by

 

• Australian West Papuan Association South Australia
 
• Conservation SA

Arts, culture & social functions, Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide

When

2:00pm to 6:00pm Monday 06 October

Where

Yitpi Yartapuultiku
1300 Old Port Rd
Port Adelaide SA 5015
Australia

Why

A World Habitat Day Afternoon Gathering - Part of the 2025 Nature Festival South Australia

Hosted by the Australian West Papua Association of SA, Pacific Island Council of SA and Conservation Council of SA this experience invites you to journey from our local area across the wider continental region and through the rainforests, coastlines, and highlands of West Papua, exploring the deep connections between its vibrant ecosystems, Indigenous cultures, and the global climate justice movement.

As part of the Nature Festival’s "Flow" theme, we’ll explore the flow of rivers, resilience, and resistance—from rainforest canopy to grassroots movements for land protection.

Expect: A visual and sensory journey through West Papua’s landscapes and biodiversity Reflections on habitat loss, cultural resilience, and what solidarity looks like. The chance to connect with local environment and human rights organisations and find something meaningful, active, and outdoors to do together as an individual, couple, friendship group or as a family, this school holiday.

Bring the kids, your curiosity, and your sense of adventure to this hands-on community event marking World Habitat Day, where we’ll explore the forests, rivers, and oceans of West Papua—one of the most biodiverse (and most threatened) places on Earth. Plus engage with the environment at Yitpi Yartapuultiku and learn about local environmental issues.

Designed for curious kids and caring adults, this engaging, family-friendly experience will include:

• Interactive nature storytelling about wild creatures, rainforests, and brave protectors
• Creative hands-on activities
• A chance to learn how families and individuals can protect nature together—from SA to West Papua
• Quiet corners for reflective play and gentle mindfulness
• And a flow of hopeful stories about people and places making a difference

This event is perfect for families/groups and individuals who want to get outside, care for nature, and discover how even small actions can have a global impact.

• Onsite cafe open in the afternoon
• Food trucks from 4pm- 6.30pm

Free. All ages welcome. No prior knowledge required—just bring your imagination.

For scheduling updates check the Facebook event or check the Nature Festival event page.

Contact

Australian West Papuan Association South Australia
Raising awareness, support and funds for West Papuan causes.
0408 345 593
info@awpaadelaide.com
awpaadelaide.com
Facebook

Conservation SA
Conservation SA is the voice for South Australia's environment.
(08) 8223 5155
general@conservationsa.org.au
conservationsa.org.au
Facebook  •  Instagram

More details

More detailed info about the FREE Family Fun Afternoon – Celebrate Habitat & Culture!

Join us for an action-packed, FREE afternoon full of hands-on fun, cultural performances, and creative activities for all ages – all in celebration of World Habitat Day!

What’s on offer?

Explore incredible interactive stalls inspired by West Papua and the local natural world:

Build a Habitat! – Can you create the perfect home for a tree kangaroo or a red kangaroo?
Coastal Habitat Treasure Hunt – Discover coastal life through a fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt.
Melting Tropical Glaciers – Experiment with ice and warm water to learn about climate impacts on tropical glaciers.
Messages of Hope – Add your voice with drawings and messages for World Habitat Day.

Dress-up Fun! – Try on traditional West Papuan headdresses and jewellery and strike a pose!
Take-home Nature Crafts – Create your own native succulent cutting and clay seedball to grow at home!

Plus, don’t miss the Bring Back the Butterflies interactive community stall
Pacific Island Dancers will light up the stage with vibrant performances
Live acoustic music to keep the vibes going all afternoon
Watch a powerful short film on one of the largest deforestation projects in Asia – currently happening in West Papua – screening on the big screen

Even more to explore!

• Exciting nature playground
• Yitpi Foundation displays
• Delicious treats at the onsite café
• Plus, more free stalls and activities from our amazing community partners still to be announced!

Don’t miss this incredible day of fun, learning, and celebration for the whole family!

Stay tuned for updates – and invite your friends to come along!

Accessibility event info

Parking and drop off: Four Accessible parking bays will be available at the Yitpi Yartapuultiku carpark- entrance is off Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide left when driving into the Port Adelaide Shopping district

Safe passenger Drop-Off zones will be available at the turning area off Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide

There is general parking onsite.

Plus if this onsite parking is full you can find parking in the following nearby locations;

• Port Adelaide Rugby Union Oval carpark (Baynes Place. Enter off Langham Place or Commercial Road)
• Paddle SA carpark across Bower Rd
• Port Adelaide Plaza southern carpark

Bathrooms: There is a fully accessible Universal Changing Places bathroom on site, and this requires a special key. Please let the organisers know if you don’t have their own and will need access to a key. There is also a parent room and ambulant unisex toilets.

Pathways: The paths around Yitpi Yartapuultiku are compact gravel and rollable in both manual and power wheelchairs (though a little assistance may be useful in the spots closer to the water). The building and main paths around the facility are fully wheelchair accessible. There are some parts of the nature play area that may be less easy to navigate.

Seating: There will be designated accessible seating areas for presentations or performances. There is lift access to mezzanine level.

Communication access: We are currently seeking funding to make the event inclusive for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

Quiet space: Along with the quiet outdoors areas there will be a designating a quiet area indoors for people who need a sensory break.

Transport: Train Services - City to Outer Harbor Line • Disembark at Port Adelaide Railway Station Please note that the Port Adelaide Station Ramp has a steep decline

Adelaide Metro Bus Services- City to Port Adelaide - 118, 150, 235, 239, 254X, 252 • Disembark on Commercial Road and walk a few minutes to the event

Glenelg to Port Adelaide Adelaide Metro Bus Services - 265, 300 and 118 • Disembark on Commercial Road and walk a few minutes to the event

Public Holiday time tables may change, please check all information with Adelaide Metro before departing. To Plan your journey, please utilise Metro Adelaide Plan a Trip https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/plana-trip/plan-my-journey.Transport: Train Services - City to Outer Harbor Line • Disembark at Port Adelaide Railway Station Please note that the Port Adelaide Station Ramp has a steep decline

Adelaide Metro Bus Services- City to Port Adelaide - 118, 150, 235, 239, 254X, 252 • Disembark on Commercial Road and walk a few minutes to the event

Glenelg to Port Adelaide Adelaide Metro Bus Services - 265, 300 and 118 • Disembark on Commercial Road and walk a few minutes to the event

Public Holiday time tables may change, please check all information with Adelaide Metro before departing. To Plan your journey, please utilise Metro Adelaide Plan a Trip https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/plana-trip/plan-my-journey.

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