Different Roots, One Future: Young People Take Action for Mangrove Sustainability
Jakarta, 25 September 2026 – Environmental sustainability is a shared responsibility that brings people from different backgrounds together. Embracing this spirit, BINUS University held Think Globally, Implement with Focus (TGIF): Different Roots, One Future, an environmental community service program focused on mangrove ecosystems, coastal sustainability, and waste management at Taman Wisata Alam Mangrove Pantai Indah Kapuk.
Photo Credit: Andi D. Ahnafandra | Photo Editor: Mufti Ardin
Organized by the Internationalization Unit in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology at BINUS University, TGIF brought together 50 participants from BINUS STAR, iBuddy, local students, and international students as part of BINUS University’s student mobility initiatives. Through environmental education, experiential learning, hands-on activities, and cross-cultural exchange, the program aimed to strengthen participants’ environmental literacy, encourage direct action, and foster collaboration among young people from diverse backgrounds.
Rather than a conventional seminar, TGIF adopted an Amazing Race-inspired experiential learning concept, where participants worked in teams and completed a series of interactive stations representing five stages: Know, Act, Connect, Restore, and Think. Each stage offered a different way to learn and engage, from exploring mangrove ecosystems and biodiversity to participating in a shoreline clean-up, exchanging perspectives across cultures, taking part in mangrove-related activities, and learning about waste classification and its environmental impact.
“We’re really excited to be part of TGIF as facilitators. It was a great opportunity to share with students why coastal areas and mangrove ecosystems are so important, not only for biodiversity, but also for protecting our communities and urban areas. We also really enjoyed hearing the students’ ideas about environmental protection and seeing their enthusiasm to take part in future actions to protect our environment,” said Dr. Dwiyantari Widyaningrum, S.Si., M.Si., Head of Biotechnology Department at BINUS University.
Photo Credit: Andi D. Ahnafandra | Photo Editor: Mufti Ardin
For Shiervy Avilya Liawrence, a BINUS STAR and International Relations student at BINUS @Kemanggisan, the program offered an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom while connecting with fellow participants. “I joined TGIF because I wanted to learn more about the environment, meet new friends, and learn together outside the classroom. I really enjoyed the experience, and it exceeded my expectations. We learned not only about mangroves, but also about ecosystems and how they connect to our daily lives.” She said.
One of the highlights of the program was the puzzle challenge, which connected all five stages of the activity. Participants received one puzzle piece after successfully completing each station, but the final message could only be revealed when all teams came together and connected their pieces. The activity reflected the central message of TGIF: while people may come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives, collective action can bring them toward a common goal.
Photo Credit: Andi D. Ahnafandra | Photo Editor: Mufti Ardin
Through the activities, participants gained greater awareness of mangrove ecosystems, biodiversity, coastal sustainability, and waste management, while also strengthening teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The hands-on approach allowed participants to experience environmental action directly rather than simply learning about it.
The cross-cultural element also became an important part of the experience, giving local and international participants opportunities to interact, share perspectives, and discover common ground. This reinforced the idea that environmental sustainability is not the responsibility of one community alone, but a shared commitment that requires collaboration across different backgrounds.
Photo Credit: Andi D. Ahnafandra | Photo Editor: Mufti Ardin
By bringing environmental learning beyond the classroom and combining it with direct action and youth-to-youth exchange, TGIF: Different Roots, One Future demonstrated how young people can turn global environmental awareness into practical local action. The program encouraged participants to carry the lessons from the mangrove ecosystem into their everyday choices and contribute to a more sustainable future together.
Author: Yusuf Rifai | Editor: Aninda Rahmasari