
Ike Mediawati
Environmental Impact Controller, Assessment Center for the Implementation of Standard Instruments Ministry of Environmental and Forestry of Indonesia
AFoCO offers regular opportunities for government officials from Parties to work in the Secretariat through its Fellowship Program. The Program functions as a channel for effective communication and helps strengthen understanding between the Secretariat and the Parties for the fruitful achievement of AFoCO’s goals. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement which allows Fellowship Officials to gain valuable working experience in an intergovernmental organization and have more opportunities to widen their networks, while enabling the Secretariat to benefit from their expertise and skills.
Fellowship Officials are assigned to work at the Secretariat for a 6-month to a 1-year term. The involvement of Fellowship Officials in day-to-day tasks essential to the operation of the Secretariat not only improves the management of AFoCO-related activities and projects but also fosters closer cooperation between Parties and the Secretariat.
Meet our Fellowship Officials!
“My main responsibility was to review project proposals and concept notes submitted by member countries of AFoCO. In addition, I helped to establish partnerships with Kazakhstan. With colleagues in my home country, we are currently developing new projects. The program allowed me to gain extensive experience in developing project documents in cooperation with other international organizations. I also had the chance to join the XV World Forestry Congress as part of the AFoCO delegation, and facilitate communication with the Central Asian countries.”
“During my one-year stint at the Secretariat, I worked closely with the AFoCO RETC team to coordinate and facilitate all the training courses organized by AFoCO RETC. I also supported the review and documentation of research projects held in collaboration with the National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS) and member countries. My experience working with the passionate and supportive team at AFoCO helped me develop professionally and personally to achieve my career goals.”
“The Fellowship Program is undoubtedly an invaluable experience for me. I learned how to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate projects effectively and efficiently. I also learned how to communicate and coordinate in an international workplace with people of different cultures and backgrounds. I will definitely adopt and share the experience and knowledge I’ve got from this program in my institution in my home country. Thank you for giving me this precious opportunity to develop and grow.”
“Joining the AFoCO Fellowship program was a great and valuable opportunity. I learned how an international organization functions and facilitated the communication between AFoCO and government agencies in Brunei Darussalam. I also summarized climate change policies in Brunei and finalized Brunei’s country profile. I hope that this program will continue for a long period of time and serve as a key platform for junior government officials in the forestry sector to experience working in an international organization.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work in AFoCO as I have always been interested in international forestry cooperation. As a member of the Cooperation and Project Division, I communicate regularly with the implementing agencies to facilitate the timely implementation and inception of projects in Timor-Leste. I look forward to strengthening the AFoCO-Timor Leste cooperation to facilitate capacity building in the research sector, including climate change monitoring.”
“For me, the most memorable experience was mainly with my fellow colleagues while we were working on a web article for the AFoCO website. There were disagreements while working as a team, which also enhanced our understanding of each other’s perspectives at the same time. Not only did I gain valuable friendships, but I also learned that we all have similar challenges in our respective countries and realize that we need to build stronger partnerships, communicate more and try harder to understand each other. So that we face the dangling global challenge in fighting climate change together and stronger.”
“I learned how to strategically develop projects, including how to initiate new projects and raise funds from potential donors. I also learned about global issues and challenges and opportunities in the forestry sector, which broadened my insight and understanding. Over the 6-month period, I assisted in project proposal evaluation, especially the technical and budget reviews of the new proposals, AKCF, and NTFP Regional Project. I hope to share my experiences with my fellow Indonesian colleagues so we can have a common understanding on AFoCO’s project processes and cooperate better in the future.”
“Through the Fellowship Program, I gained a deeper understanding of AFoCO’s mechanisms and strategies and have been directly updated about AFoCO’s work and activities through engagements in various meetings. I am happy that with my experience managing the Viet Nam Landmark project over the past 5 years, I am able to help in project monitoring and evaluation, developing instructions on the PIP matrix and drafting standard cost norms for AFoCO projects. I was also able to contribute to the development of the country profile document of Viet Nam.”
“Over the six-month Fellowship Program, I have had the chance to actively support my country in the preparation of 2 projects that were funded through AFoCO. Many activities within the Secretariat help promote a better understanding of the project management cycle. Timor-Leste is seeking to develop new essential projects in the near future to help the government achieve its vision of securing forests resources and sustaining its uses for the welfare of people.”
Veronica passed away from illness in early 2022. We extend our sincere condolences to her family.
“The Fellowship Program gave me a valuable opportunity to work in an intergovernmental organization. I had many chances to learn about the important role of facilitation and communication, gained experiences in developing reports and policy briefs, and assisted in organizing international training and workshops. My experiences have strengthened my capacities and widened my knowledge in international forestry cooperation.”
“The Fellowship Program provided me with more opportunities to gain knowledge and build my capacity in international forest cooperation. I was also able to network with officials and project personnel from AFoCO member countries well as partner institutes and international organizations that AFoCO works with. I am thankful for the precious memories during my six months in the Republic of Korea. In Cambodia, I hope to share my experiences and knowledge with my colleagues.”
“The Fellowship Program was an eye-opening experience for me. The Program’s interdisciplinary approach makes it well-suited for young officials who want to contribute towards addressing challenging forestry and climate change issues. Having the opportunity to work with an outstanding team and the governments of the member countries to achieve a shared goal was the highlight of my Fellowship experience. I am certain that the hard and soft skills I gained from my experience will positively impact my future career as a forester. Now, I am ready to support the initiatives between Mongolia and AFoCO.”
“This journey of six months has truly been one of the most memorable career experiences I have had. Being a part of such a diverse team in a collaborative work environment has been an amazing experience altogether. I now know how AFoCO pursues its goals and forest initiatives in close cooperation with its member countries and partner organizations. Aside from all the things I learned here, I will definitely take back with me the work etiquette and dedication seen at the Secretariat. I hope to continue promoting and supporting AFoCO in the future.”
“The Fellowship Program provides a platform for junior government officials from member countries to learn about emerging issues in the forestry sector and also build individual capacity to contribute to achieving a common goal. Moreover, the exposure to an international working environment will definitely help broaden my understanding of forest-related issues. During my stay in AFoCO, I hope to contribute to achieving the vision of AFoCO in an individual capacity.”
I will try to learn and contribute my best to AFoCO. I want to learn how to implement a project successfully of an international organization, as well as how to cooperate with member countries and other organizations around the world to work together to create more value. I want to encourage everyone who is interested in creating a better world to develop programs and projects on sustainable forest management and environmental protection.”
“I believe the AFoCO Fellowship Program will comprehensively sharpen my professional skill and career, particularly, related to international cooperation in forestry and climate change. I will contribute my skills and abilities to the AFoCO’s objectives and do my very best to support the AFoCO Secretariat to achieve fruitful accomplishments. Year of 2020 will be recorded as my career milestone, and I hope AFoCO will be successful in achieving its goals and objectives.”
“This intensive program has greatly improved my networking and project facilitation skills, and also leveraged my technical knowledge and experiences. I anticipate that the fellowship official will continue to play a vital role in maintaining the strong ties between AFoCO and Cambodia and help support the development of future initiatives. I will strive my best providing maximum support to promote and strengthen partnerships among countries in the region.”
“AFoCO aims to strengthen regional cooperation and works towards preventing and reducing deforestation and degradation and hence, addressing the impacts of climate change. This fellowship provides me an opportunity to learn and share the best practices and strategies adopted in the member countries to adapt and mitigate climate change. I further hope to work and contribute to helping AFoCO achieve its goals and objectives during my stay in AFoCO.”
“Fellowship Officials played essential roles to facilitate upcoming projects and events and assisted in communicating with member countries. AFoCO gave us plenty of opportunities to participate in forums, workshops, programs, and other activities which are practical and useful for gaining more knowledge, experiences, communication skills, and creating new chances to strengthen and extend the relationships with other experts and organizations.”
“I believe that I have a great opportunity to learn about good organizational management practices and how AFoCO operates and contributes to the forestry sector through diverse activities and projects. After the Program, I will share my knowledge and apply them in my work. As the saying goes, ‘learning is a never-ending process,’ I will do my best as to develop my capacity and strengthen cooperation with my organization and country.”
Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization aiming to strengthen forest cooperation by transforming proven technologies and policies into concrete actions in the context of sustainable forest management to address the impacts of climate change.
We are headquartered in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, with a subsidiary body, the AFoCO Regional Education and Training Center (RETC), in Yangon region, Myanmar.
AFoCO Secretariat
12F SIMPAC Bldg., 52, Gukjegeumyung-ro,
Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07330,
Republic of Korea
T. +82-2-785-8971
F. +82-2-785-8970/8910
E. [email protected]
AFoCO Regional Education & Training Center (RETC)
Seed & Seedling Center (SSC) of Forest Department of Myanmar, Ye-Twin-Kone Village, Hmawbi Township, Yangon Region, Myanmar
T. +95-9972578592
E. [email protected]