The Californer - Indonesian Government Issues Statement of Recognition Honoring 20 Years of the Orangutan Caring Scholarship Program

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Californer -- The Government of the Republic of Indonesia has officially recognized and extended its heartfelt appreciation to the Orang Utan Republik Foundation (OURF) and its Indonesian partner organizations for their pivotal role in orangutan and forest conservation through education. In a formal Statement of Recognition issued by the Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C., the government acknowledged the Orangutan Caring Scholarship (OCS) Program's transformative impact over the past two decades.

Established in 2006, the Orangutan Caring Scholarship Program has provided university scholarships to hundreds of Indonesian students, empowering future conservation leaders in fields such as forestry, biology, veterinary science, and environmental education. The program supports Indonesia's broader efforts to protect its critically endangered orangutan populations and their natural habitats.

"On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, and in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Orangutan Caring Scholarship Program, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and official recognition to the Orang Utan Republik Foundation and its Indonesian partner organizations for their enduring contributions to orangutan and forest conservation through education," the letter states.

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This milestone underscores the unique public-private collaboration between international nonprofit organizations and Indonesian institutions dedicated to sustainability and biodiversity preservation. It also highlights the importance of education as a long-term strategy for empowering local communities to protect their natural heritage.

"We are honored to receive this formal recognition from the Government of Indonesia," said Dr. Gary L. Shapiro, Co-founder and President of OURF. "This statement reaffirms the vital role of education in saving species from extinction and acknowledges the contributions of our partner institutions and the many students whose careers and lives have been shaped by this program."

The Statement of Recognition comes at a pivotal time as the program continues to expand its reach, strengthen alumni networks, and explore new collaborations to ensure that the next generation of conservationists is equipped to meet the challenges facing orangutans and Indonesia's forests.

To learn more about the Orangutan Caring Scholarship and support the program, visit: www.orangutanrepublik.org