EU announces Winners of ‘EU4Wartawan’ Journalistic Writing Competition 2023

EU announces Winners of ‘EU4Wartawan’ Journalistic Writing Competition 2023

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Indonesia has announced the winners of its annual EU4Wartawan journalistic writing competition. This year, the competition was held in partnership with the Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and Project Multatuli media, focusing on the theme of climate crisis and human rights. This announcement is made today on World Meteorological Day, 23 March, to highlight the urgency of addressing the impact of climate change on human and planetary health.

Following a rigorous selection process, the panel of judges from AJI and the EU Delegation have chosen seven top articles from 205 articles submitted for the ‘mass media journalist’ category. Anwar Siswadi of Tempo Magazine won first place for his feature article ‘Climate Crisis Wreaking Havoc on Islands’ while Pradipta Pandu of Kompas Daily won second place for his article ‘Living in Harmony with Nature to Fight Climate Change’.

For the ‘university student category’, the panel of judges from Project Multatuli and the EU Delegation selected five top articles, from 152 entries. First place goes to Muhammad Razil Fauzan from Mulawarman University, East Kalimantan for his article ‘’The Threat of Malaria Looms Over Future Residents of Indonesia’s New Capital”.

H.E. Vincent Piket, the EU Ambassador to Indonesia, expresses his appreciation to participants, “With their powerful narratives, EU4Wartawan participants have raised awareness to the human cost of the climate crisis. This is the greatest challenge of our times, and it is important to stress the role of journalists and university press to shape public discourse and drive change. Congratulations to the winners, whose work reminds us that we must accelerate climate action to secure a sustainable future for all.”

Ahmad Nurhasim, the judge from AJI, hopes the winning works will inspire other journalists to cover climate and human rights with fresh story angles and comprehensive data. He emphasised the need for journalistic works that can scientifically explain the impact of the climate crisis on human life and connect local events with global challenges. These works will contribute to driving policy changes, behavioural changes, and multistakeholder partnerships in tackling the climate crisis.

Ronna Nirmala, Managing Editor of Project Multatuli who served as a judge for the student category, commends the diversity of climate change-related issues raised by the participants, ranging from the threat of malaria, the impact of geothermal power plant development, to flash floods. "This shows that these young journalists are already aware of and will become even more engaged in writing about environmental and human rights issues in the future," she said.

The two top winners from the journalist category and one top winner from the student category will receive a travel ticket and stipend to support them in covering an environmental issue of their choice in Indonesia. The EU continues to support Indonesian journalists in producing quality news about the environment and human rights.

The EU Delegation thanks all journalists and university students who participated in this competition and continues its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s efforts in tackling climate change and upholding human rights values.

Winners of the EU4Wartawan – Journalists Category

1^st Winner                                        

Anwar Siswadi, Tempo Magazine

Article “Petaka Iklim Mengerik Pulau” (Climate Crisis Wreaking Havoc on Islands)

2^nd Winner                        

Pradipta Pandu, Kompas Daily

Article “Hidup Selaras dengan Alam, Tumpuan atasi Krisis Iklim” (Living in Harmony with Nature to Fight Climate Change)

Runner-up 1

Muh. Ibnu Aqil, Jakarta Post

Article “Jakarta Struggles as Climate Change Disrupts Water Balance”

Runner-up 2

Fransiskus Pati Hetin, Kompas Daily

Article “Siasat Bertahan Kala Iklim Berubah” (Survival Strategies While the Climate is Changing)

Runner-up 3

Zulkarnaini, Kompas Daily

Article “Deforestasi dan Perubahan Iklim: Ancaman Nyata Pembangunan Aceh” (Deforestation and Climate Change: A Real Threat to Aceh Development)

Runner-up 4

Hartatik, Suara Merdeka

Article “Transisi Energi di Lumbung Padi: Optimalkan Energi Surya, Petani Tak Lagi Puso” (How Energy Transition Supports Rice Production)

Runner-up 5

Fathul Rakhman, Mongabay

Article “Air Semakin Dekat, Ikan Semakin Jauh: Perubahan Iklim dan Kerentanan Pangan Masyarakat Pesisir Lombok" (Water is Rising, Fish is Dwindling: Climate Change and Food Insecurity in Lombok)

Winners of the EU4Wartawan – University Students Category

1^st Winner

Muhammad Razil Fauzan, Mulawarman University

Article “Belenggu Malaria Membayangi Calon Warga IKN” (The Threat of Malaria looms over the future residents of Indonesia’s New Capital City)

Runner-up 1

Mukhtar Abdullah, State University of Jakarta (UNJ)

Article “Jalan Panjang Penolakan Tambang Tumpang Pitu” (The Long Road to Stop Mining in Tumpang Pitu)

Runner-up 2

M. Fahrul Muharman, Gadjah Mada University

Article “Saat Panas Bumi Membakar Dinginnya Dieng” (When the Earth’s Heat Burns Dieng’s Cold Climate)

Runner-up 3

Daniel Kalis Jati Mukti, Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University

Article “Merawat Kicau di Lereng Mnoreh, Upaya DesaJatimulyo dalam mencegah Krisis Iklim” (Conserving the Birds in Menoreh, How Jatimulyo Village Tackles Climate Crisis)

Runner-up 4                     

Alissa Qottrun, Semarang State University

Article “Siswa di Pesisir Demak Belajar dalam Keadaan Kaki Basah” (Students in Demak Coast Go to School Inundated in Water)

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