South West Papua is one of the new provinces in the Republic of Indonesia that is currently accelerating regional development. As part of Papua, this province has a privilege given by the central government regarding regional management, namely special autonomy. Existing development can be carried out by involving the local community as part of the implementation of special autonomy. The local community in question is the Papuan Indigenous People who have long lived in West Papua Province. Accelerating development means involving indigenous people and also mobilizing all resources to be able to build facilities that can support the lives of indigenous people.
One of the programs created by the South West Papua Provincial Government is Papua Berdaya. This program was initiated by the Regional Planning Research and Innovation Agency. The Papua Berdaya development program aims to be able to involve indigenous people in accordance with accurate planning and implementation of quality development by paying attention to the customs and areas that cover it. The involvement of indigenous people and all that is attached such as territory and culture is considered by the government development bureau in line with the applicable special autonomy.
Active involvement by indigenous people is an opportunity to accelerate development in the West Papua Province. The implementation of the development planning meeting invited representatives from indigenous community leaders to listen to suggestions regarding development and what is needed related to the development being implemented by the local government. There are three objectives of the Papua Berdaya program, namely healthy Papua, smart Papua, and productive Papua. These three objectives will be achieved by involving indigenous communities and also the results for the welfare of indigenous communities.
Aspirations and providing space for the involvement of indigenous communities are one proof of the seriousness of the South West Papua Provincial Government in implementing the applicable special autonomy. Synergy is an effort that is needed in development by involving not only aspects of the local government but also how the aspirations of indigenous communities regarding development are very much considered. The acceleration of development is also carried out in accordance with the expectations of indigenous communities and also does not threaten the sustainability of indigenous communities which include areas that are included as customary forests, then there is also a culture that is inherent in it that is related to the acceleration of development.
The hope of the Papua Berdaya program is that the involvement of indigenous communities can be carried out actively and sustainably. The direction of development in the South West Papua Province is determined by indigenous communities and Papuan Natives who understand the needs of development and also how to properly accelerate the process of development. The three objectives of the Papua Berdaya program are also expected to be achieved in a short time in order to provide an impact on the welfare of the entire community.