InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) continues to expand efforts to educate young people about the global palm oil industry through its Young Elaeis Ambassadors (YEAs) programme.
The initiative brings together participants from various countries and equips them with a comprehensive understanding of the palm oil sector, enabling them to become credible sources of information within their communities and social networks.
Musdhalifah Machmud, Deputy Secretary-General of CPOPC, said the programme was developed in response to the growing influence of social media in shaping public perceptions, particularly among younger generations.
"We invite young people from around the world to gain a better understanding of palm oil. Social media has become one of the main sources of information for today's youth, but much of the information circulating online is often driven by certain interests," Musdhalifah told InfoSAWIT during the Media Engagement #YEAs Induction Week 2026 held on Thursday (June 11, 2026).
According to her, participants in the Young Elaeis Ambassadors programme are expected to serve as advocates for accurate and balanced information regarding the palm oil industry.
"If they do not understand the industry, they cannot share correct information. That is why we want them to learn about palm oil, understand its realities, and communicate its positive aspects to their friends and communities," she said.
During the six-day induction programme, participants were given opportunities to witness first-hand the practices of Indonesia's palm oil industry, from plantation operations to innovations derived from palm-based products. Such experiences, Musdhalifah noted, are essential in developing a deeper appreciation of the sector.
She highlighted the enthusiasm shown by participants from countries that do not produce palm oil, some of whom had never previously seen an oil palm tree.
"There was a participant from India who said that she had never seen an oil palm tree before. After visiting Indonesia, they gained a much clearer understanding of what this industry actually looks like," Musdhalifah explained.
The YEAs programme has continued to evolve each year, attracting a growing number of participants from increasingly diverse national backgrounds.
Musdhalifah also noted that the ideas and innovations presented by participants have become more varied, covering topics such as nutrition, value-added palm-based products, and environmentally friendly solutions.
"There are many interesting innovations emerging from the participants. For example, some have developed palm-based materials that are biodegradable and can even support plant growth after use. This kind of creativity is exactly what we want to encourage, so they can become champions in communicating the positive potential of palm oil," she said.
Through the programme, CPOPC hopes to harness the participants' innovative spirit and communication skills to broaden global understanding of the palm oil industry.
As part of this commitment, Young Elaeis Ambassadors are encouraged to continue conducting educational campaigns through social media platforms for several months after completing the programme.
"We can no longer rely solely on governments or a limited group of stakeholders to promote palm oil. Society, especially young people, has an important role to play in raising awareness about palm oil and its contributions," Musdhalifah added.
She believes that engaging youth will become one of the most effective approaches to building a more balanced global narrative surrounding the palm oil industry while highlighting the sustainability initiatives that have been implemented across the sector. (T2)
