Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Lucia Karina, a member of the Faculty Advisory Board (FAB) at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), has been awarded the SDG Pioneer 2024 by the United Nations (UN) Global Compact. She is the only recipient from Indonesia and one of only two from Asia-Pacific.

Driving the Circular Economy

This award recognizes Karina's commitment and contribution to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As director of public affairs, communications, and sustainability at Coca-Cola Europa Pacific Partners (CCEP) Indonesia, she has successfully driven inclusive and sustainable economic growth through circular economy initiatives in waste management.

Karina, as she is commonly known, initiated the WASH+ program with a community of thousands of waste workers known as Punaryoddha (Recycling Warriors) to provide access to and protect clean water and empower SMEs across the supply chain. These efforts have been carried out while ensuring responsible operations that benefit the environment and society.

"This award results from the hard work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of all CCEP Indonesia employees and partners in integrating sustainability principles into our business. It validates our consistent efforts to impact society and the environment positively," she said in an online interview.

Business as a force for good

Karina said the recognition reinforced her belief that business can be a force for good. By balancing the goals of prosperity, people, and the planet based on the principles of partnership and peace, society can create immense value for all stakeholders. However, she emphasized that this ambitious vision can only be achieved through multi-stakeholder cooperation.

"This great dream can only be realized through synergy with visionary governments, innovative scientists, critical civil society, and, most importantly, the communities we serve. This is the key to true sustainability - a symbiotic, mutually reinforcing relationship," she said.

Karina also opened up opportunities for collaboration with FEB UGM to increase the impact of ongoing initiatives. Students can contribute through consumer behavior research, circular business model studies, behavior change campaigns, and business mentoring for SME partners. Meanwhile, faculty members can provide critical perspectives and strategic insights to sharpen the design and implementation of these programs.

"We are very open and enthusiastic about working with FEB UGM to increase the impact of these initiatives," she added.

FAB as a Think Tank

Karina highlighted the crucial role of FAB FEB UGM as a strategic partner in developing a green economy in Indonesia. FAB can serve as a think tank in designing sustainability-focused curricula and developing research programs and social business incubators that support implementing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) issues in business practices across Indonesia.

"We can also work together to develop curricula and training programs to equip students with a sustainability mindset and skills aligned with the future needs of industries."

Karina plans to bring three main initiatives to FAB FEB UGM: sustainability leadership development, a sustainability innovation platform, and embedding sustainability concepts into the campus culture.

Inspiring the Next Generation

In her closing remarks, Karina encouraged FEB UGM students and faculty to be active agents of change. She believes that every individual has significant potential to make a positive impact. Therefore, she urged everyone to start small, as even the smallest efforts can contribute to a better future for our planet.

"If not you, then who? If not now, when?" she concluded.

FEB UGM's Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Bayu Sutikno, S.E., M.S.M., Ph.D., expressed his pride on behalf of FEB UGM for the outstanding achievement of Lucia Karina, who is also a member of FEB UGM's Faculty Advisory Board (FAB), as an SDG Pioneer 2024 by the UN Global Compact. This achievement further strengthens the role of FEB UGM - not only through its academic community and alumni but also through its FAB members - in making a positive contribution, especially in the sustainability field, which aligns with FEB UGM's mission.

"FEB UGM is proud and delighted with this achievement. It further consolidates FEB UGM's role in sustainable development," he said.

Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
See other related articles: Lucia Karina Honored as UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers 2024 

Sustainable Development Goals