ADE KADARISMAN, “COMMUNICATION AS A BRIDGE TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS”
Ade Kadarisman, a lecturer in the Public Relations study program at Fikom Unpad, has released a book entitled Environmental Communication: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Approach last April. The idea to write the book emerged in mid-2018 and has only been worked on intensively since November 2018. His interest in the environment is inseparable from the studies he has undertaken both when taking the Master of Development Studies program at ITB and the Master of Environment program at Universite Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne in France.
Ade admits that the atmosphere of his hometown Kuningan is one of the inspirations to pursue and develop environmental communication. “The fresh and calm atmosphere at the foot of Mount Ciremai has always inspired me in many ways,” said the Unpad SDGs Center researcher. In addition, in 2018 he received a Padjadjaran University Internal Grant (HIU) on Communication Strategies Based on Culture, Tourism, and Environment in Geopark Ciletuh Sukabumi which later became the starting point for writing the book.
Environmental issues raised in this book include climate change, disaster mitigation, sustainable tourism, local wisdom, and renewable energy. According to him, in communicating these issues, the communication aspect is very important. With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach, stakeholders are expected to have a mutual understanding of the importance of communication, especially in dealing with today’s increasingly complex environmental issues.
According to Ade, in an effort to achieve the SDGs in accordance with the goals, targets and indicators, communication cannot be separated. The four main pillars of SDGs, including the economic, social, environmental and governance pillars, require optimization of communication aspects. “Communication is a bridge in dealing with various environmental problems,” he said.
One of the SDGs principles that can be a lesson in maintaining the environment is “No One Left Behind“. This means that the SDGs ensure that no group of people is left behind in achieving the SDGs. In the spirit of no one left behind, all elements of society must communicate and collaborate. “We cannot prioritize sectoral ego. All parties must prioritize aspects of cooperation in supporting the achievement of the environmental agenda,” said the lecturer of CSR and Political Public Relations courses who began his academic career at Fikom Unpad in 2006. The father of three sons realizes that his newly released book is inseparable from the support of various parties and he realizes that there are still many shortcomings.
In addition to pouring it into books, his interest and concern for the environment is channeled through a community called Prakarsa Akar Bumi in the Cileunyi Kulon area. She has been fostering and developing environmental and cultural literacy programs for a year now. This community has a program of Learning Fun in Sundanese and English with material strengthening in the aspects of Cultural Heritage, Creativity and Environment.
Every Saturday afternoon, the backyard of his house is crowded with the joy of children learning while playing. “Public space and children’s expression are currently very limited, this is the basis for the establishment of this community,” explained Ade Kadarisman. Activities that were attended by approximately 30 children with limited economic backgrounds and assisted by several people. This volunteer teaching is done free of charge. However, children who want to learn must “pay” in a unique way, namely every attendance, they are asked to bring used items such as cardboard and plastic bottles to be used as a means of creativity. “Alhamdulillah, this program is also supported by the surrounding community, hopefully in the future it will continue to grow with better institutional and program governance,”. The nearest programs being planned are the development of a children’s library and a Living Pharmacy.
In the midst of his various activities, now the lecturer who is also carrying out his mandate as Deputy Chairperson of the Central Association of Communication Scholars (ISKI) and Vice President (VP) of Sustainable Development Indonesia Marketing Association (IMA) Bandung is preparing his second book by strengthening the aspects of Public Relations and the Environment.
In addition, he is also preparing to produce a webseries and a feature film. They all relate to the themes of people, nature, culture and the environment. “Now is the digital era, we must be dynamic, adaptive, and proactive.” said Ade Kadarisman who recently 2 (two) of his works, both books and articles in the media, received appreciation / recording of Copyright from the Director General of IPR (Intellectual Property Rights). “It just so happens that Unpad is keen to build a culture of IPR and encourage its academic community to register their works,” he continued. For Ade, life is about struggle and dedication. He teaches us to continue to endeavor, various challenges and even failures faced become a spur to keep moving, don’t give up. “To do things today also requires hard work, discipline, don’t get tired of evaluating yourself and continue to process,” he concluded. (NK)
