By Ferro Ferizka Aryananda, Chief Executive Officer, Pijar Foundation
Sustainable development has emerged as a key goal for governments and citizens worldwide, not least in Indonesia. As Indonesia and its neighbouring countries experience increasing digitalisation, questions emerge on how digital platforms can augment efforts toward the realisation of these complex Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in a manner that is inclusive and collaborative.
The core tenets of digital platforms are flexibility in responding to people’s needs and the ability to facilitate connections at scale with relatively low barriers to entry. Digital platforms uniquely transform how we work, live, and transact by acting as intermediaries across sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare, transportation, and education. These platforms create efficient, scalable, and accessible multi-sided marketplaces, offering seamless user journeys and boosting decision-making agility through real-time data processing. This was evident both during emergencies like COVID-19 and in normal circumstances.
To optimise the benefits of digital platforms for sustainable development, Indonesia can consider a more agile and collaborative type of policy making, whereby policymakers closely engage private digital platforms and community groups in the design, evaluation, and refinement of policies. This ensures that platforms remain human and community-oriented. This is often dubbed the ‘P-P-P’ — public, private, and people — approach.
Sustainable Development Goals in a Digitalised World
The world has committed to achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass various aspects of human development and the future of the planet. These include eradicating poverty, improving health outcomes, tackling climate change, providing quality education, and fostering partnerships for the goals. Together, they represent the vision of inclusive, sustainable growth through collaboration.
As Indonesia experiences increasing digitalisation, questions have emerged on how digital platforms can support the achievement of these complex, multidimensional SDGs. According to TFGI’s research, digital platforms in Southeast Asia contribute to economic growth and can shape a more sustainable and equitable future. For example, e-commerce platforms like Tokopedia have enhanced access to goods and services across remote areas, improving economic opportunities for small businesses. They do so by offering enhanced access to goods and services, supporting social needs during crises, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices.
Digital platforms provide flexibility in responding to people’s needs and enable connections on a large scale with low barriers to entry. These platforms create efficient, scalable, and accessible multi-sided marketplaces, offering seamless user journeys and boosting decision-making agility through real-time data processing.
Digital Platforms for Consumers
Digital platforms have demonstrated their ability to adapt quickly to changing consumer needs and market dynamics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, this adaptability was essential when people were unable to access physical stores or attend in-person appointments. Online grocery services such as GrabMart enabled access to essential goods, while virtual healthcare platforms like Halodoc provided medical consultations remotely, maintaining economic and social stability. They became crucial tools for remote learning and working. With schools and offices shut down, platforms broke traditional barriers such as distance and cost, allowing people to continue their education and work from anywhere. For instance, platforms like Ruangguru offered online tutoring to students across Indonesia, ensuring continuity in education despite the closures.
Even as the pandemic recedes, consumers continue to rely on digital platforms not only for convenience but as a fundamental means of accessing essential services and opportunities for work and education. Platforms have proved vital in connecting consumers with services and opportunities during both crisis and everyday circumstances.
Digital Platforms for Workers
Digital platforms also play a critical role in creating more flexible and accessible work opportunities. People can access information on both traditional jobs and gig work—roles often involving low barriers to entry for individuals with limited education or skills. For example, platforms like Gojek and Grab provide opportunities for drivers and delivery workers, supporting efforts to reduce poverty and promote inclusive economic growth. In addition to income generation, platforms are increasingly providing opportunities for workers to upskill and reskill. Many offer training programs covering soft and hard skills, financial and digital literacy, and entrepreneurship. For instance, LinkedIn Learning offers courses that help workers adapt to changing job requirements and new technologies. These initiatives are crucial for preparing workers, especially those with limited education, for the future of work, where automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping industries.
Upskilling and reskilling help workers develop broader skill sets, making them more adaptable to economic shifts and resilient in the face of challenges, thereby fostering a more robust national workforce. These materials also offer insights on strategies to balance economic and environmental goals, advancing broader objectives of equitable and sustainable economic growth.
Co-Creation of Policies by Public, Private, and People Sectors
To maximise the benefits of digital platforms in achieving SDGs, policies must be developed with the involvement of all stakeholders. In this regard, multi-sectoral collaborations are vital. Co-creation, where governments and private companies work closely to design, implement, and evaluate policies, is essential for ensuring that platforms serve public interests while fostering innovative, sustainable economic growth. An exemplary case is Indonesia’s fintech sector, where regulatory sandboxes such as those offered by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) allow companies to test new technologies within a controlled environment. This balance between innovation and regulation mitigates risks while fostering growth.
By extending this public-private collaboration model to include people, we arrive at the ‘Public-Private-People’ (P-P-P) approach. Civil society and local communities are often best positioned to understand the unique challenges and opportunities within their regions.
Guiding Principles for Pro-Human and Hyperlocal Digital Governance
What principles should guide policy co-creation for digital platforms?
First, the principle of being ‘pro-human’. As technology, particularly automation and AI, becomes more prevalent, there is growing concern that it could displace workers, especially in traditionally labour-intensive sectors like manufacturing and agriculture. Digital platforms should be designed to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. Human traits such as creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence are irreplaceable by machines.
Second, the principle of being ‘hyperlocal’. Digital platforms must cater to unique regional needs, effectively addressing local challenges and contributing to community well-being.
For instance, agricultural areas may benefit from platforms that help provide unique, real-time weather forecasts and market prices to farmers. These platform-generated insights can help boost local farmers’ productivity and business sustainability.
A Path Forward: Public-Private-People (P-P-P) Collaborations for a Sustainable Digital Future
P-P-P collaborations are essential for unlocking the full potential of digital platforms in Indonesia’s sustainable development. Governments, private enterprises, and communities must work together continuously to ensure that these platforms are used responsibly and effectively.
Indonesia’s digital future is integral to its sustainable development. By fostering agile and collaborative policy co-creation, grounded in principles of being pro-human and hyperlocal, the country can achieve a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy.
In summary, digital platforms hold immense promise for advancing sustainable development in Indonesia by fostering public-private-people collaborations. By embracing a commitment to human-centric and hyperlocal approaches, and through continued collaboration among government, private sectors, and local communities, Indonesia is well-positioned to unlock the full potential of its digital transformation.
About the Writer
Ferro Ferizka Aryananda is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pijar Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating collaborative pathways for Asia’s future talent and planet. Pijar Foundation’s initiatives include talent upskilling, innovation acceleration, and public policy advocacy. With over 13 years of global experience in the tech industry, Ferro’s most recent role was as Worldwide Lead at Microsoft. At age 31, Ferro also became Indonesia’s youngest university chancellor. In addition to being a passionate community builder, Ferro is a sought-after public speaker on leadership, innovation, and technology. He holds dual master’s degrees from reputable institutions in Singapore and Australia.
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are solely of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views and position of the Tech for Good Institute.
