Empowering Coastal Communities for Sustainable Marine Conservation: Integrating Education, Technology, and Local Engagement in Negeri Mamala

Patrisius Rahabav — 2025-05-16

Indonesia, as the world's largest archipelagic country, holds a critical position in global marine biodiversity, encompassing over 17,000 islands within the Coral Triangle, known as the epicenter of marine diversity. This region supports extensive ecosystems that are vital for ecological balance, economic stability, and the well-being of millions of people. However, these ecosystems face severe threats from overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change, which collectively endanger marine biodiversity and disrupt coastal livelihoods. This community service program, conducted by the Educational Administration Study Program at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Pattimura, aimed to strengthen community awareness and enhance administrative capacity for sustainable marine conservation in Negeri Mamala. The program incorporated educational sessions, digital technology, and hands-on community engagement to address critical marine conservation challenges. Key activities included awareness building, community training, and the integration of immersive technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to improve participant understanding and retention. The results demonstrated significant improvements in community awareness, administrative skills, and active participation in conservation efforts, aligning with the principles of community-based conservation. This initiative provides a promising model for other coastal communities, highlighting the potential of integrating education, technology, and local engagement to achieve long-term sustainability in marine conservation. Moving forward, continued support, strategic partnerships, and ongoing capacity building will be essential for maintaining and expanding these positive impacts.

Participatory Community Empowerment for Conflict Management and Peacebuilding in Multicultural Island Settings

Jefry Ernest Marthin Leiwakabessy — 2025-06-02

Maluku Province, Indonesia, is an archipelago characterized by its vibrant cultural, ethnic, and social diversity, but also by recurrent conflicts linked to land, identity, and historical grievances. This study reports on a community service initiative in Negeri Laha, Ambon, designed to enhance local capacities for conflict management and resolution. Employing participatory action research, the program delivered a series of workshops and interactive dialogues focused on the causes, dynamics, and solutions for conflict, with special attention to land disputes involving the Indonesian Air Force and local residents. Thirty participants, including youth, women, traditional, and religious leaders, engaged in case simulations, collaborative reflection, and practical training in negotiation and mediation. The results indicate a significant increase in participants’ understanding of conflict sources, practical confidence in resolution strategies, and motivation to continue peacebuilding efforts. Key barriers identified include deep-seated mistrust, external influences, and limited institutional support for ongoing reconciliation. The initiative’s emphasis on inclusive engagement, local leadership, and culturally relevant dialogue aligns with best practices in global peacebuilding literature and demonstrates the value of university-community collaboration. This model offers promising implications for other multicultural and conflict-prone areas, supporting both immediate dispute resolution and the development of sustainable local peace infrastructures. Future efforts should prioritize sustained capacity-building, regular dialogue forums, and integrated support from government and civil society to maintain long-term social harmony and resilience.

DEVOTIONIS

Empowering Coastal Communities for Sustainable Marine Conservation: Integrating Education, Technology, and Local Engagement in Negeri Mamala

Participatory Community Empowerment for Conflict Management and Peacebuilding in Multicultural Island Settings