Douglas Johnston presents the Global Peace Award to Ms. Tri Mumpuni at the Global Peace Convention 2012.

On December 1, 2012, the Global Peace Foundation presented Ms. Tri Mumpuni the Global Peace Award for Outstanding Social Entrepreneurship. Before introducing Ms. Mumpuni, Douglas Johnston, founder and president of the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy, asked for a moment of silence to honor Ms. Mumpuni’s mother, who had just passed on.  Ms. Mumpuni also paid homage to the lasting legacy that her mother, a social worker,  had bequeathed to her.  “My mother told me, that life is about sharing,” she told the audience of global leaders.

Among her other accolades, Ms. Mumpuni received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in August 2011 and in 2010, she attended the United States Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, where she expressed, “I got in my life so many privileges from God, this is the way to pay back.”

“My mother told me, that life is about sharing” Her mother taught her that life is about sharing, and she has in turn is teaching her countrymen the same. This principle is the simple brilliance behind the comprehensive model of power generation and village development that she has created. The government, local businesses and village residents are sharing the resources of nature together for the betterment of the nation.

The following is an article that first appeared in the 878^th edition of the Weekly Donga as part of a seires entitled, “Ko Young’s Job Revolution” (Professionals who are changing the world), and later reported on GPF-Korea’s blog.  It is Ms. Mumpti’s story  bringing electrical power, self-reliance and most of all the desire to share with and care for one another from one village to the next  in Indonesia.

Tri Mumpuni, Recipient of the 2012 Global Peace Award

“She brought a ray of hope to developing areas through Micro-hydro Power ”

Tri Mumpuni introduced micro-hydro generators as a means to provide electricity to remote villages in Indonesia.

National characteristics are often influenced by its natural environment and resources. People who grow up in areas where they have to make infertile land fruitful tend to have strong and persistent characteristics. On the other hand, people who live on land rich in oil and mineral resources are likely to live without major worries, and tend to be easy going.

Indonesia has many barren areas but is also blessed with a variety of mineral resources. It is a MIKA  country, an acronym for Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, and Australia, which are regarded as the rising nations post-BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South African Republic). 

Nevertheless, Indonesia consists of 17,500 islands. It would take an astronomical amount to build up its industrial infrastructure. Presently, 90 million people, about 35 percent of the entire 240 million people, live in homes without electrical power. By 5 pm the production line at factories and plants come to a standstill as the power is cut in order to reserve energy for future use.

Under these circumstances, one woman has suggested an alternative to loan-based development plans for building electric power infrastructure. She is not a politician with great accomplishments or a CEO of an enterprise. She is a 47-year-old graduate student named Tri Mumpuni, who is building a new Indonesia by working together with local residents to develop the nation’s natural resources.

In the early 1990s, while traveling through Switzerland as a graduate student to attend a conference, Ms. Mumpuni witnessed something she had never seen before. She spotted small hydro power generators in the deep valleys of Switzerland. Curious about the machine’s function, Ms. Mumpuni made inquiries.

She discovered that each household could produce cheap electricity using the small scale hydro power generators that harnessed the power of water that rapidly flowed through the deep valleys of Switzerland.

The Engineer who Established an Infrastructure for  Electrical Power

A villager checks the pipes of a micro-hydro generator.

When Ms. Mumpuni heard this, she was thrilled. She immediately thought of the deep gorges that ran through the islands of her home and considered the possibility of using the micro-hydro power system in Indonesia. She gathered information about micro-hydro power technology from the local Swiss residents and technicians and found that maintenance costs were less than she expected.  She decided, “Let’s try this in Indonesia. It might work for the villages on the islands that do not have access to electricity.”

Ms. Mumpuni purchased books on micro-hydro power systems and returned to Indonesia to draft a design of a micro-hydro power system that matched the local topography. However, the further her work progressed, the more she realized that the cost for electric motors and piping would be too high.

“I realized that this is not something I can do by myself. I decided to submit a proposal to the municipality of Cinta Mekar and local businesses.”

She knew businesses and the government were interested in a profit making ventures and rarely took interest in individuals. So, Ms. Mumpuni  created an entity called IBEKA. Through this organization she submitted her proposal. The following describes the proposal’s vision.

 “The Micro-hydro power plant is a perfect way to supply electricity to people in remote villages likes Cinta Mekar. This is a venture that will continuously generate profits for the community. However, it is first and foremost a civil cooperation project. The micro-hydro power plant facilities will be built in the village through the joint investment of the government, local businesses, and IBEKA. As local businesses and the village community jointly own shares, the local people will have first access to power.  The surplus will be sold to the government. The profits will be equally divided between the local businesses and the community 50:50.”

This model was dubbed a ‘Hybrid Model’ by Ms. Mumpuni.  The government showed positive response, noting that the company would set a precedent for local community development. But Ms. Mumpuni confronted an unforeseen hurdle. The local residents did not accept her vision. They doubted its possibility, and wondered if they would have to be responsible for maintenance and repairs, or if the government would do everything.

When Ms. Mumpuni realized that no resident was willing to take on the project, she moved to Cinta Mekar herself to ensure the business’ success. For two years she spent time with the villagers building close and intense communication. She focused on changing the mindset of people. To prevent the project’s failure, she worked hard to increase the village’s maintenance and repair capacity. In this way, the co-op was created with the local villagers. Even after the facilities were completed, business has continued. A couple micro-hydro power plants were built in Cinta Mekar, and in 2004, the village achieved 100 percent energy independence.

Multiplying Small Scale Environmentally Friendly Energy Development

Based on the success of Cinta Mekar, Mumpuni created an ironclad principle for the hybrid model business. “Natural resources must be developed and utilized in cooperation with the local residents.” Ms. Mumpuni poured her life into this project. She traveled to 68 regions in Indonesia disseminating the hybrid model.

IBEKA’s Philosophy of community-driven development of Indonesia’s natural resources.

The local businesses and the village community jointly own the shares of the plant, and are supported by the government, local businesses, and IBEKA. This is her explanation of the hybrid model.

“The Micro-hydro power plant Is not just a small scale plant. The size is not the primary feature, it possess deeper significance. This project is not just about supplying power to remote villages but about initiating a change that uplifts the quality of life in the villages. Children can safely walk the streets at night; we can increase earnings as we harvest different crops and even create more jobs. The funds earned from the sale of electricity to the government can be allocated to fund provide college education for village children and life insurance for villagers who cannot afford medical expenses for surgery. The money could also be utilized for loans to people who want to start small businesses. The most important thing is that throughout the entire process, the local people are a part of the project. If our resources are developed with the consent and participation of the community that consists of individual families, we can enhance democratic participation. This is how we can begin to dream of change.”

Ms. Mumpuni travels around the globe propagating the development of this small scale environmentally friendly energy system. Even at this moment she is engaged in a dialogue with the local people somewhere spreading the message that they have the power to change their community.

“The belief that each of us has the power to change things ourselves is the real ray of hope that is illuminating the remote areas of Indonesia. I just helped foster that belief through building a sense of community.”

Original article written in Korean by:

Head of Social Consulting Group

puristo@empas.com

The English version was originally published on globalpeacewoman.org.

The post Tri Mumpuni Global Peace Award 2012 for Outstanding Social Entrepreneurship appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.

The following feature article on Global Peace Foundation-Korea President Kyung Eui Yoo was originally published in the Weekly Donga, from Korea. It was reported on http://www.gpfkorea.org/. President Yoo talks about the All-Lights Village Project, Korean Reunification and his thoughts on the importance of sportsmanship for international civil diplomacy.

By Ji Eun Kim likepoolggot@empas.com

“Global Peace Foundation-Korea President Kyung Eui Yoo’s All-Lights Village Project Receives International Attention “

Global Peace Foundation-Korea President Kyung Eui Yoo is better known as a sportsman than a peace activist. He has been engaged in numerous athletic activities and programs: he founded several sports organizations, including the International Peace Cup, International Women’s Soccer Cup, and the Peace Star Cup Celebrity Soccer Tournament. He also organized a soccer training program in Spain for the Korea Football Association and was K-league director. In 2008, he worked as Deputy Chairman of the Asian Football Confederation Social Responsibility Committee and for FIFA’s Special Project Office.

His new role as Global Peace Foundation-Korea President triggered many people’s curiosity. At first glance it is not easy to find the relation between sports and peace initiatives, but President Yoo has a totally different perspective.

Kissa’s Sports and Cultural festival engaged foreign students in Korea and Korean students in sports and cultural exchange.

Sportsmanship connects people from around the world

In November of last year, President Yoo organized a Foreign Students Sports and Culture Festival on Incheon University’s Songdo Campus , hosted by KISSA (the Korean International Student Support Association), which he also runs. The Sports and Culture Festival was a great success, attracting 2,000 foreign students. KISSA has since become a major agency that is working with foreign students.

KISSA was founded to provide support for foreign students studying in Korea, but KISSA has also opened avenues for foreign students to get involved in different programs like sports matches, agricultural volunteering, environmental clean-ups and outreach to people who have been isolated in Korean society. The foreign students sometimes teach Koreans sports that they enjoyed in their home countries like basketball and croquet. President Yoo believes that getting an authentic experience helps the foreign students adjust to their lives in Korea and will leave a positive  impression of their time in Korea.

“We need to acknowledge that there are some foreign students who love Korea at first but end up really disliking Korea. The majority of foreign students who come to study in Korea are the cream of the crop that will in 10 or 20 years be defining the important policies of their home countries. If they have negative sentiments towards Korea, our future will be bleak. We have to engage their assets strategically. KISSA is a channel for civil diplomacy.

Sportsmanship is not something that only children in the 3^rd world countries need. Through sports, one learns how to create team work, be considerate of others, and boost self-esteem. Koreans and foreign students can both benefit from sportsmanship.

President Yoo sees sportsmanship like the fertilizer or soil for peace initiatives. To him, it is a central element.

“Most college students in Korea decide to go abroad to volunteer just to add something to their resume. They do not see the importance of living for others. But when they actually go abroad, even though it’s for a short period, they have a tremendous experience. They come back  much more mature. Some of them confess that the harsh reality of the developing world reminded them of their parents’ generation. This generation hasn’t experienced poverty the way their parents have. When they see the dire situation of some of these developing countries they realize Korea was not much different in the 1960s and the 70s.”

He knows that service is not effective when it is just a one way interaction.  He sees overseas service activity as ‘Global Exchange.’.

‘The All-Lights Village Project’ supplies solar-powered lanterns equipped with a radio to remote villages that do not have access to electric power.

The All-Lights Village Project is bringing solar powered lamps to remote villages in developing countries as a way to combat illiteracy and build self-reliance.

It also installs solar-powered streetlights for the community hall and streets. This project is moving into the level to build multi-purpose halls in the center of the villages and to eventually supply electricity to the entire village through developing the villages’ solar energy capacity. The All-Lights Village Project has brought the bright light of hope so far to 15 villages in the Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Kenya that used to be pitch-dark.

The All-Lights Village Project gets some of its inspiration from Korea’s ‘Saemaul Undong’ (New Village Movement). President Yoo added his  concern for the environment and peace to birth this 21^st century rendition of an eco-friendly Saemaul Undong.

President Yoo’s activities are unlike any other overseas service and peace building initiatives; and they are attracting the interest of government agencies in various countries, some which are now project partners. .

“If we give them food and clothing, will it impact their lives 50 years from now? We focus on giving them a foundation for self-reliance. We want them to feel that their lives are full of hope.  The All-Lights Village Project was first conceived as a way of reducing illiteracy.  For these people who had been living in darkness, the ‘lights’ brought more hope we ever imagined. The radio has also opened the world to them: they hear news and have a form of entertainment.”

The Final Destination of world peace is “Korean Reunification”

Last May, President Yoo received the ‘Medal of Merits’ from the Malaysia Awards Office in recognition of his efforts made for civil exchanges through the Global Peace Leadership Exchange. The Medal of Merits is one of the greatest honors in Malaysia. President Yoo is the first foreigner to ever receive a medal from the government of Malaysia. His enthusiastic partnership and civil diplomacy with Malaysia and the Philippines is bearing fruit.

What then is the final destination of world peace for President Yoo? Without hesitation, he utters, “The  ‘reunification of Korean peninsula.”

North Korean children are eating bread from a bread factory made from donations raised from the Miracle of 1000 Won.

“There are two major hot spots in the world. One is the Middle East, the other is North Korea. In other words, we cannot talk about world peace without talking about peace on Korean peninsula.”

President Yoo reminds us that there is a world without light not far from where we live. In North Korea there are countless people who are living in the dark without electricity. A part of President Yoo’s strategy for reunification is the “Everyday Reunification Movement”. It is seeking to bring reunification into the lives of every Korean by giving them simple ways to contribute. Campaigns like the All-Lights Village Project. and the “Miracle of 1000 Won” fundraising drive which has raised enough to  build a bakery in Sariwon, North Korea to provide bread for children of the city, are enabling Koreans to be a part of reunification in their everyday lives.

One of the programs he is promoting to bring reunification into our daily lives is the ‘Korea United Pledge Drive.’ The pledge asks a signer to pledge goods, money, time or talent to help North Korea. This is based on President Yoo’s belief that if every single Korean invests their whole heart into the reunification of the Korean peninsula, it will happen soon.

“Some might ask about the benefits of Korean reunification. We do not need flashy mottos to tell us that the reunification of the Korean peninsula will lead to world peace. Current data shows that the potential growth of Korea is only 3.3 %. This says something about our future. Reunification is the only way to increase Korea’s growth potential to make it one of the world’s top nations. The ‘Korean Dream’ of becoming a symbol of peace to the world signifies also our bright future.”

Just as President Yoo dreams of the day that an All-Lights Village will be built in North Korea, each of us can make efforts on a daily basis to bring reunification closer. This will become a great beacon of hope for those living in the dark as well as for us.

The post [Weekly Donga] Bringing on a 21st Century Eco-Friendly “New Village Movement” appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.