Listening First – Buwun Mas Round Tables Build the Foundation for Shared Prosperity
Empowered People. Thriving Communities. Shared Prosperity.
In late July and early August 2025, delegates from the Kinnara Foundation, led by Adrian Campbell, Co-Founder of Kinnara Asia and the Kinnara Foundation, travelled to Buwun Mas Village in South Lombok to meet with community leaders, educators, and residents.
The purpose was simple yet powerful — to listen, learn, and co-create a shared plan for self-determined growth through education, employment, and environmental stewardship.
Collaborating for Local Impact
On 26 July 2025, the Kinnara Foundation met with Mulyatun, Principal of Buwun Mas Middle School, and Saparwadi Ashari, a local high school teacher.
Together, they discussed how education can open doors to opportunity, from improving English proficiency and digital literacy to creating future pathways in tourism and entrepreneurship.
Leadership and Shared Vision
A second community round table was held on 5 August 2025, led by Adrian Campbell, Chief Rochidi, and a cross-section of village educators and residents. The session focused on identifying local priorities and designing wrap-around support programs that strengthen livelihoods and build lasting social infrastructure.
“At our community round-table, we agreed that development must deliver shared prosperity,” said Chief Rochidi.
“English skills are vital for our children’s future. Tourism brings opportunities, but without language our young people cannot fully access them. This program is a bridge for our community to step into those opportunities with confidence.”
“We also need a long term commitment to employing local village people to sustain improved local economic outcomes.”
Adrian Campbell’s Commitment to Community-Led Change
For Adrian Campbell, these discussions reflect the core mission of the Kinnara Foundation, empowering people to define and drive their own future. “The most meaningful progress happens when communities lead the conversation,” says Campbell. “Our role is to connect resources and amplify local capacity so that development is inclusive, regenerative, and lasting.”
A Model for Shared Prosperity
The outcomes from both round tables will guide the Foundation’s next steps, from strengthening local English language programs to expanding training and employment pathways linked to sustainable tourism and coastal restoration.
Through these partnerships, Adrian Campbell and the Kinnara Foundation are helping Buwun Mas shape a self-determined roadmap for progress, one that honours local wisdom, protects the environment, and builds a future grounded in shared prosperity.