Mangupura, Baliwakenews.com – What would Jimbaran look like if children had the power to shape its future? That question lies at the heart of Jimbafest Presents: Pekan CERIA, a community initiative encouraging elementary school students to imagine a better village through creativity, literacy and environmental awareness.
Organised by Jimbaran Hijau in collaboration with Desa Adat Jimbaran, the Badung Regency Education, Youth and Sports Office (UPT Disdikpora), and Yayasan Jimbaran Hijau, the programme brings together education and community engagement in celebration of Earth Day, Teachers’ Day and Saraswati Day.
One of the programme’s highlights is the writing competition, “My Dream for a Better Jimbaran Village” (Impianku untuk Desa Jimbaran yang Terbaik), open to students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 from elementary schools across Jimbaran.
The competition began with a technical meeting on October 6, 2026, attended by 25 principals and Indonesian-language teachers from public elementary schools in Jimbaran. The writing competition itself will take place in person on October 29, 2026, at the courtyard of Jimbaran Hub.
Participants will write their essays by hand, encouraging them to develop their own ideas and express their thoughts without relying on digital tools. Beyond writing skills, the theme invites students to look beyond personal ambitions and consider how their dreams could contribute to the wider community and the future of their village.
“We believe the future of a sustainable Jimbaran begins with how children dream about it today,” said Lydia Natalia, Head of Business Services at Jimbaran Hijau, highlighting the company’s commitment to environmental education for children in the surrounding community.
Yudha Bantono, a writer and competition judge, emphasised the importance of nurturing children’s imagination and empathy through writing.
“Handwriting encourages children to think slowly, feel, and carefully put their thoughts into words. It is an extraordinary exercise in empathy,” Yudha said.
Cheryl Marella, Corporate Communications Senior Manager at Jimbaran Hijau, said children’s imagination and perspectives are essential to creating public spaces that support their needs.
“Children’s voices and visions are the foundation of public spaces that are truly child-friendly,” Cheryl explained.
Yusea Eka Prasetya, Chair of Yayasan Jimbaran Hijau, said environmental education and children’s participation have long been integral to Jimbafest.
“Jimbafest has always involved the community and children. Pekan CERIA is part of the road to Jimbafest 2027, which will become a biennial community festival,” Yusea said.
The initiative has also received a positive response from local schools. Ayu Made Manik Suyasmini, S.E., S.Pd., M.Pd., Principal of SDN 1 Jimbaran, welcomed the competition as an opportunity to strengthen children’s literacy and environmental understanding.
“This writing competition is a very positive initiative to improve literacy and environmental awareness among pre-teen children. We are fully committed to supporting it,” she said.
As one of the key programmes under Jimbafest Presents: Pekan CERIA, the writing competition aims to do more than develop writing skills. By giving young students a platform to express their hopes for Jimbaran, the initiative seeks to nurture a generation that is more aware of, connected to and invested in the future of its own community. BWN-07
