Bihar, India – Balancing development between urban and rural areas is essential to ensure quality of life and inclusive growth for all communities. However, a prevailing phenomenon shows rural populations migrating to cities in search of better job opportunities, education, and healthcare. More concerningly, this urbanization is largely driven by the younger generation, leaving rural areas populated by seniors and potentially decreasing productivity.
Addressing this issue, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) Japan hosted a regional workshop titled “Cross-Asian Dialogue on Rural Development: Asia’s Shared Challenges and Opportunity” at Nalanda University, Bihar, India, from December 7–11. The event aimed to map regional challenges and share best practices implemented across various countries.
Collaborating with Asian Confluence and the Musubi-Te Foundation as local partners in India, SPF invited representatives from several Asian nations, including Japan, Thailand, Iraq, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the host country, India.
The Indonesian delegation comprised three sectors:
• Government: Mr. Ardin, representing the Palu City Government (Planner at Regional Development Planning Agency).
• Academia: Mr. Muchamad Indrawan, Researcher at the University of Indonesia.
• NGO: Ms. Siti Kholisoh, Managing Director of the Wahid Foundation.
As a city, Palu does not have rural territories; however, it emphasized that the development of sub-districts (Kelurahan)—the smallest administrative units—requires careful attention. During the forum, the Palu City Government highlighted three strategic issues relevant to sub-district and comprehensive urban development:
- Disaster Resilience Located on the Palu-Koro fault line, one of the world’s most active fault lines, Palu was impacted by a triple disaster in September 2018: earthquake, tsunami, and liquefaction. This experience serves as a profound lesson in improving the Regional Resilience Index (IKD) and lowering the Disaster Risk Index (IRBI). The city has integrated these efforts into the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) through structural and non-structural measures. Emphasizing that disasters can strike at any time and destroy development progress, Palu adopts the “Build Back Better and Safer” approach for its rehabilitation and reconstruction.
- Inclusive Musrenbang (Development Planning Forums) To increase inclusivity in regional planning, Palu has expanded its community engagement to reach vulnerable groups through “Inclusive Musrenbang.” This strategic step absorbs aspirations directly from the perspectives of various vulnerable groups. Based on evaluations, the city established a dedicated budget allocation to accommodate these proposals. Starting in 2024, this allocation has been formalized, with accommodated proposals reaching IDR 1.6 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. Facilitators guide these discussions to ensure results meet actual needs and assist in entering data into the Regional Government Information System (SIPD) to monitor the proposals.
- Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) Since 2023, in collaboration with SPF and local partner Yayasan Sikola Mombine, Palu has been developing the SSE concept. Inclusive development must go beyond economic growth; it must also yield social and environmental benefits. The focus is on cooperatives and MSMEs led by women and persons with disabilities. Initiatives include research-based five-year program recommendations, such as digital marketing audio-video modules for the deaf and internships for persons with disabilities in Small and Medium Industries (IKM). Currently, a Regional Action Plan (RAD) is being drafted to guide program interventions through 2030.
The presentation was warmly received by workshop participants, serving as a valuable session for sharing best practices to strengthen regional and rural development across Asia. Palu City’s spirit of #movetogether was successfully shared with its Asian counterparts.
