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The potential and promise of the nation’s youth are its future. So it is both amazing and pleasing to see that so many young people have so much hope and energy to tackle the problems facing this country.

That promise and zest for life were on display this weekend at the first Indonesian Youth Conference.

Thirty-three students from 30 provinces turned out to identify priorities, draw up plans to address the issues and, most important, set about executing the plans.

The young people, aged from 15 to 21, have taken it upon themselves to revitalize eroding coastlines, improve sanitation in areas that lack such facilities and establish disaster-prevention programs.

It befuddles us to hear these students speak, as what they are undertaking should be the responsibility of our elected leaders.

Twenty-one-year-old Kiki from Central Sulawesi, for example, launched the “Save My Beach” project that focuses on replanting mangrove trees along the coast after she noticed that the beach had retreated two meters over the past year.

With coastlines retreating at such a rapid pace, communities stand to lose their homes, fish farms and way of life.

For towns that rely on fishing and tourism to fuel their economies, the retreating coastline is a tragedy in the making, yet no local-government official or elected legislator has raised the issue or even attempted to tackle it.

What is truly amazing about Kiki and her fellow youth is that they are involving local communities in their projects. This buy-in will ensure the success of their projects and over time will boost their own livelihoods.

“We want this to be a true community project, where people who enjoy the beach take their share of responsibility for maintaining it,” Kiki said.

She is thus planning to hold several workshops and seminars for locals on the importance of mangrove forests and the need to look after the natural environment. She has even worked out a budget of Rp 15 million ($1,650) for her project.

There are hundreds more Kikis in Indonesia, young people infused with the desire to change their country for the better and to help their fellow citizens. As Ridho, another participant, noted: “We’re done sitting around quietly.”

The conference was the brainchild of Alanda Kariza, a second-year student at Binus International University who started the Cure for Tomorrow project.

Lawmakers who have been clamoring for more perks and higher benefits should take a leaf out of the book of these young people. The future belongs to them, and they are not content to hang around waiting for handouts.

We all have a responsibility to preserve the natural environment and the Earth so that we leave the next generation something valuable.

We must build our nation along a sustainable growth trajectory so that those who follow us can also enjoy the fruits of the Earth.