NU-Australia to cooperate in tackling global climate change

Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesia's biggest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) agreed to cooperate with Australian government in tacking the phenomenon of global climate change.

In dealing with this phenomenon, General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the PBNU's headquarters, Jalan Kramat Raya 164 Jakarta on Friday (13/6).<>

Hasyim said all circles in society should be aware and pay more attention to emerging environment crisis. NU, Hasyim said, was the important element of society taking part in socializing the importance of preserving both nature and environment.

He was of view that Indonesia had often been hit by natural disaster and said that "it is important to give such understanding to people about disaster and the ability to handle it.".

Hasyim added the scope of disaster management should cover the mitigation of disaster vulnerability through comprehensive approaches to Islamic boarding school-based disaster risk management.

"The strengthening of people's capacity to be able to tackle disaster is important to conduct," said Hasyim before Rudd and Indonesia's Australian Ambassador BIll Farmer and scores of members of Australian Labor Party.

The cooperation also covered sectors like education, democracy strengthening through general election monitoring and voter education, and cultural exchange program.

"The enhancement of cultural dialogue between the people of Indonesia and Australia is needed to build a just and prosperous Indonesian society," Hasyim said.

Hasyim said the cooperation could also be deepened within the frame of partnership by considering the importance of what called as Indonesian-Australian Partnership Strategy.

"This MoU is the umbrella for cooperation between NU and Australia and it would always be enhaced," Hasyim said. (rif)