29 Feb Agents of Change

During the last few weeks of February, the Coral Triangle Center’s (CTC) Training and Learning (T&L) team travelled to Banyuwangi Regency, east Java, and Ambon Island, to lead workshops about Blue Economy, and support the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries’ (MMAF) strategic 4 year plan.

Blue Economy is a concept, created by Gunter Pauli, a Belgian self-styled “serial entrepreneur.” Mr. Pauli’s Blue Economy highlights the relationship and balance between environmental sustainability, wealth generation, and job creation.

Based on the Blue Economy-MMAF curriculum that targets high-level managers, CTC developed a slightly adapted curriculum with new modules for fisheries extension officers at the community level. The new modules introduce topics on marine and fisheries resource management, a change from past modules topics of mariculture and fish processing.

Fisheries extension officers play an important role; they serve as agents of change in community outreach and development. Looking back at what she learned, participant Desy Febrianti stated, “Before CTCs workshop, I had only read about Blue Economy. Now, I feel more informed and confident about sharing what I have discovered with social entrepreneurs and other people within my community.”