|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Southwest Papua’s province, a West Papua Province subdivision, spans 34,250.82 km² and includes 5 districts, 1 city, 132 sub-districts, 74 counties, and 939 villages. With its diverse demographics and geographical features, this region has become the focus of significant development initiatives, requiring digital solutions and platforms.
Act No. 29 of 2022 aims to enhance the quality of life and dignity of the indigenous people of Papua (OAP), expedite development, improve public services, and elevate the population’s overall well-being. This comprehensive approach seeks to address the unique challenges faced by the region while leveraging digital technology for sustainable progress.
Rahman, the Head of the Regional Development Planning, Regional Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Southwest Papua Province, highlighted the crucial role of evidence-based research in shaping effective policies. He emphasised the need to address strategic issues such as poverty reduction, income inequality, OAP independence, indigenous community protection, gender equality, human resource development, and enhancing education and health services.
Southwest Papua has outlined five priority programmes designed to leverage digital technology for societal benefits:
Prodikter (Medical Doctor/Specialist Education Support Programme): This initiative utilises digital platforms for medical education, ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-trained and accessible, even in remote areas.
Bis-Gemas (Gold Generation Scholarship Programme): This scholarship programme leverages digital application processes and online learning platforms to support the education of promising students, creating a digitally literate generation ready to contribute to the region’s growth.
Berdaya-Ekomas (Empowerment of the Community Economy through Interest-Free Credit for OAP Entrepreneurs): This programme integrates digital financial services to provide OAP entrepreneurs with access to interest-free credit, fostering economic independence and entrepreneurship.
Jambu Hidup (First 1000 Days of Life Guarantee Programme): This initiative focuses on the critical early years of life, providing nutritious food for pregnant mothers and young children. Digital health records and monitoring systems are employed to track and ensure the health and well-being of beneficiaries.
Paitua (Monthly Aid for OAP Over 65 Years): A digital payment system ensures that financial aid reaches elderly OAP efficiently and transparently, enhancing their quality of life.
Rahman elaborated on the province’s mission to achieve quality social transformation and well-being, foster a strong, inclusive, innovative economy, and implement collaborative governance based on social harmony. The policy direction for 2024 includes:
- Establishing a robust government superstructure.
- Normalising bureaucracy.
- Promoting social harmony to accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.
Yopi, the Deputy Chairman for Regional Research and Innovation of BRIN, emphasised the synergistic commitment of BRIN-BRIDA/Bapperida to fostering a collaborative research and innovation environment. This commitment involves increased participation of local communities in evidence-based studies and the extensive use of information technology and communication tools to facilitate information exchange.
The collaborative efforts aim to enhance human resource capacity, foster public-private partnerships to attract investments and manage joint resources effectively. Recognising and appreciating the diversity of local community needs is crucial for ensuring that development initiatives are inclusive and responsive to Southwest Papua’s unique challenges.
The province of Southwest Papua is embarking on a transformative journey leveraging digital technology to address its strategic issues. The integration of digital platforms in education, healthcare, financial services, and public administration is set to drive sustainable development and improve the quality of life for its residents. Southwest Papua aims to achieve its vision of an inclusive, prosperous, and harmonious society through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions.
