FORESTORMING: “Hear the Voice, Hear the World”Forestry Education Commission

PRESS RELEASE 

International Forestry Students’ Association Local Committee Universitas Gadjah Mada

FORESTORMING: “Hear the Voice, Hear the World”

Forestry Education Commission

Author: Puspitarini Angga Mulya Putri

Figure 1. Group Photo Documentation

FORESTORMING is a debate competition held from August 28th to September 21st, 2025. Brought by the Forestry Education Commission of IFSA LC UGM, this event held in Bahasa Indonesia with the theme “Hear the Voice, Heal the World”. The event highlighted the key role of youth in building a sustainable future for forests by hearing the voices of the forests to heal for a better world. More than a competition, FORESTORMING served as a platform for all undergraduate students at Universitas Gadjah Mada to deepen their knowledge, sharpen their critical thinking, and explore innovative solutions to challenges in forestry on both national and global scales.

The competition was structured into three main stages, which began with an essay submission period from August 28th to September 18th, 2025. Participants submitted essay on the topic "Integrating Technology and Tradition: An Innovative Solution for Forest Sustainability and Community Well-Being"  as part of the registration process, and eight outstanding teams were selected to proceed to the next stage, including Trees Oratio, Oryza sativa, Arek Kendhel, GMTW, Patristic, Youth Forester, Takom, and Mix 4 Fun. The team members come from various faculties such as forestry, social and political sciences, animal sciences, cultural sciences, and agriculture.

Figure 2. Documentation of Quarter-Final Round

On September 20th, the quarterfinal debates were held online via Zoom Meeting. Teams were divided into four shifts across two breakout rooms, with Haybah Shabira and Najla Arrifqi from Gadjah Mada Debating Society (GMDS) as the adjudicators. Motions were determined during a technical meeting, while pro and contra positions were assigned on the day of the debates. In breakout room 1, Trees Oratio faced Oryza sativa debating the motion, “The use of high technology based on clean energy must be prioritized in forest management compared to conventional technology that uses fossil energy sources for environmental and social sustainability.” The second shift in this room, Patristic automatically advanced to the next round because the Youth Forester was not present in the debate session. 

In breakout room 2, Arek Kendhel and GMTW debated the motion, “Land conflicts between corporations and indigenous communities are more influenced by the unclear legal status of the recognition of indigenous peoples' rights than by weaknesses in national law enforcement”. Meanwhile, Takom competed against Mix 4 Fun with the motion, “The multi-enterprise forestry model is more relevant than total conservation in the context of sustainable development.” on the next shift. Following these debates, participants gathered in the main room for feedback from the adjudicators, who also announced the semifinalists, which were Oryza sativa, Patristic, GMTW, and Takom.

Figure 3. Feedback Session from the Adjudicators

The semifinals and finals were conducted on September 21st, 2025. Adjudicators from a lecturer of Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr.Agr.Sc. Siti Hanifah Mahdiyanti, S.Hut., M.Agr.Sc., and Haybah Shabira from Gadjah Mada Debating Society (GMDS) evaluated each match. 

Figure 4. Semi-Final Debate Session

The semifinal rounds featured Patristic against GMTW with motion “Community-based approaches are more effective than top-down approaches in addressing the impacts of climate change.”, and Oryza sativa against Takom with motion “The dissolution of peatland restoration and rehabilitation institutions (such as BRGM) creates a dilemma in environmental restoration efforts rather than providing bureaucratic efficiency.” 

Figure 5. Final Debate Session

The debates culminated in a thrilling final between GMTW and Takom, with the participants showcasing their analytical and collaborative skills through discussion on the motion “Renewable energy development should be a top priority in national natural resource policy, but it must be based on real capacity and readiness, not simply pursuing an energy transition.”

Figure 6. Documentation of the Finalist

Takom emerged as the champion of FORESTORMING 2025, with the GMTW securing the runner-up position. Both teams were awarded cash prizes. The event concluded with a prize-giving ceremony, followed by a documentation session and satisfactory form, marking the end of FORESTORMING 2025. This year’s FORESTORMING proved to be a successful initiative that empowered young voices to engage in forestry education and advocacy with a wider reach. It inspired youths to create meaningful, sustainable impacts in their field.