A group of 45 young leaders from 12 countries are gathered here this week for a five-day training session on Project Management and Leadership for Climate Change (PMLCC), concluding Friday.

During the training, young people from several countries including Australia, Britain, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and host Indonesia, are learning to improve their leadership capacity and project management skills through presentations, workshops and cultural activities. They have also been given opportunities to transform their climate proposals into workable projects.

British Council Climate Security Coordinator, Nita Irawati Murjani, said the training was aimed at expanding and strengthening networks of young leaders and at helping them to make a direct impact on their communities.

"We encourage them to take initiatives in finding solutions to climate change, rather than just forming lobbying groups. The young leaders are not just talking, but taking action to look for solutions," Nita said.

The British Council is administering the event in cooperation with the Bogor-based Center for International Forestry Research (Cifor).

During the carbon offsetting fieldwork visits, the participants were divided into several groups. One group helped a local foundation managing and cultivating organic farming in Cisarua and saw for themselves how community participation works.

Another group visited a private radio station and learned how it promotes environmental conservation.

The third group visited the Bogor municipal office to help identify problems facing local government in dealing with municipal waste and transportation, in the context of the city's green approach and status.

Another group toured the Bogor Institute of Agriculture and taught students of the BPK Penabur elementary school on climate change.

Yeong Yze Shuan, 23, of Malaysia said the program had raised his awareness of climate change and of the natural disasters that might result from it.

"Now I will cut energy consumption and help save electricity and water. I have learned a lot. This will help me start a green campaign on my own campus," said Yeong of the University of Malaysia.

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