How can environmental awareness be fostered in society, especially among the younger generation, through effective communication? Research conducted by Antry Salikandi and her team from Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia in May 2026 highlights the strategic role of environmental communication in river preservation programs. This study specifically examines the effectiveness of the "Saturday River School" program in RW 05 Lio Genteng, Bandung, as an educational model capable of encouraging active community participation.
Interactive Education-Based Communication Strategies
The problem of river cleanliness often stems from a lack of public awareness regarding the impact of waste on the environment. This research found that one-way communication or mere formal appeals are ineffective in changing behavior. Instead, the Saturday River School program utilizes strategies that touch upon emotional and cognitive aspects through:
- Storytelling: Conveying preservation values through narratives that are engaging for children.
- Role-playing: Involving students in simulations where they take on the roles of environmental guardians.
- Community Clean-up: Engaging the community and children directly in river cleanup activities, creating tangible, hands-on learning experiences.
- Simple Visual Media: Utilizing easy-to-understand visual aids to explain issues related to cleanliness and waste management.
Qualitative Approach and Case Study
The researchers employed a qualitative case study approach with in-depth data collection techniques, including interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. Through this method, the researchers did not merely capture the end results of the program but also understood the process of community behavioral change and how their communication strategies were culturally accepted by the residents of Lio Genteng.
Key Findings: Effectiveness of Inclusive Communication
The study produced several key points regarding the success factors of river conservation:
- Use of Local Language/Culture: Communication strategies are more effective when using culturally familiar language and interactive educational approaches.
- Behavioral Change: Creative educational methods proved effective in increasing children's environmental awareness, which subsequently impacted behavioral changes in maintaining river cleanliness and household waste management.
- Empowerment through Participation: The program succeeded in strengthening community participation because residents were not positioned as mere objects, but as active participants in environmental action.
Impact on Environmental Policy
The study confirms that the success of environmental conservation efforts does not depend solely on government regulations but is heavily determined by how environmental issues are communicated to the grassroots community. For environmental practitioners and policymakers, these findings provide a replicable model: that environmental education must be inclusive, sustainable, and relevant to the socio-cultural realities of the local community.
Author Profile:
- Antry Salikandi – Researcher, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia.
- Shinta Hartini Putri – Researcher, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia.
- Eriyanti Nurmala Dewi – Researcher, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia.
- Anggita Lestari – Researcher, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia.
Research Source: Salikandi, A., Putri, S. H., Dewi, E. N., & Lestari, A. (2026). "Environmental Communication and Community Participation in River Conservation". International Journal of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS), 4(5), 677-686.
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