Bedugul, May 5, 2025, A cool morning breeze and clear skies welcomed participants of the 2024 Fiscal Year Annual Member Meeting of the Village Ecotourism Network (JED) at Wisma Nangun Kerti, Bedugul. Representatives from villages across Bali began arriving, bringing with them smiles and warm embraces. This wasn’t just an ordinary annual meeting, for JED members, it was a much-anticipated moment: a time to gather, share stories, strengthen the network, and plan collective steps for the future.
The Village Ecotourism Network, or JED, is a civil society alliance of villages in Bali that has been working since 2002 to build community-based ecotourism. This movement was born from the understanding that villages and their natural surroundings are not mere tourism objects, but rather the centers of civilization that must be protected together. Over the past 23 years, JED has not acted like a typical travel agency. Instead, it has become a platform for collective struggle, where all profits are reinvested into conservation and community empowerment programs.
“JED is not an ordinary travel agency,” emphasized Mr. Putu Ardana, Head of JED’s Supervisory Board. “It is a movement that rejects the destructive impacts of mass tourism and educates travelers to see and understand the real Bali. Mass tourism is no different from mining, what’s being exploited is not stone or metal, but Balinese civilization itself.”
A Special Annual Meeting: Setting a New Five-Year Direction
This year’s Annual Member Meeting felt particularly special. For the first time, it was held over two full days. In addition to the regular agenda such as the presentation of financial reports, income and expenses for the 2024 fiscal year, participants were also invited to jointly formulate strategies and direction for JED’s movement over the next five years. This included a review of JED’s vision and mission and the identification of strategic focus areas to ensure that the movement remains relevant and impactful in the future.
Discussions were dynamic. Participants from both the senior generation and the youth actively shared their views, ideas, and concerns. The atmosphere was familiar yet serious, enveloping the entire event in a spirit of mutual respect. Every voice was heard; every opinion considered.
Full Participation from Member Villages and New Energy from Youth
The meeting was attended by representatives from ten JED members and a prospective member. From East Bali were representatives of Tenganan Pegringsingan Indigenous Village, Dukuh Hamlet of Sibetan Village, Tanglad Customary Village, and Taksu Tridatu Foundation from Ped Village in Nusa Penida. From North Bali came representatives from the Indigenous Community of Dalem Tamblingan and Pedawa Indigenous Village. From West Bali was the Kurma Asih Group of Perancak Village. From South Bali, Nyambu Village and Kiadan Hamlet of Pelaga Village were present, along with representatives from Wisnu Foundation.
What made this meeting even more vibrant was the presence of young representatives from various villages. They brought new enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and a strong commitment to ensuring the continuity of this intergenerational struggle. Their contributions enriched and enlivened the discussion dynamics.
Pedawa: From Candidate to A Full Member
One of the key moments in this year’s meeting was the acceptance of Pedawa Indigenous Village as an official member of JED. Previously a candidate member, their presence at the meeting was warmly and familiarly welcomed by all participants. Mr. Wayan Sadyana, a representative from Pedawa, shared his thoughts:
“As a representative of Pedawa village, we felt truly welcomed. Even as candidate members, we were treated equally. The meeting went very well, with a relaxed and warm atmosphere that strongly reflected a sense of family. What impressed me was that every participant had the same opportunity to determine the direction of the organization. The data presented was very detailed and easy to understand, both quantitative and qualitative. The board and managers were highly responsive in providing explanations. I understand the meeting agenda was very full, and in the future, perhaps a commission system could be considered to address specific themes. But overall, the meeting was rich in substance and truly nourishing. Thank you, JED.”
Representative from Pedawa Village, Wayan Sadyana.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Foundation of the Movement
Over the course of two days, members not only shared reports and strategies but also reaffirmed the core reason JED was established. In the face of increasingly massive and uncontrolled tourism industry pressures, JED continues to place villages at the center: as centers of culture, sustainability, and the future of Bali.
This meeting was not merely a series of organizational agendas. It was a space for reflection, reinforcement, and celebration of the solidarity among villages who believe that Bali’s future cannot be left to the market alone. It must be protected, nurtured, and determined by its people.
