Summary of Nominations

Paul Wolvekamp joined Both ENDS in 1989 and served as its Deputy Director. He is amongst others member of the Board of Governors of RSPO and was the vice-chairman of the Asia based NFTP (non-timber forest products) Exchange Program.

He served in various governance and advisory capacities such as the Rutu Foundation, Dutch Advisory Commission on Sustainable Biomass and CIFOR’s certification research program, and undertook assignments for private foundations, Dutch government and European Commission. He co-initiated the 'Sahel Regreening Initiative’, a large-scale farmer-led water, soil and forest landscape restoration effort.

He is member of various RSPO committees and chairs the RSPO Dispute Settlement Facility (DSF Advisry Group). Paul obtained his BA in law, MA political sciences and diploma in environmental sciences at Leyden University. He  wrote and edited numerous articles, books and reports, such as ‘Forest for the Future: Local Strategies for Forest Protection, Economic Welfare and Social Justice’. 

Both ENDS works critically for social justice and a better environment by connecting and empowering CSOs. Both ENDS supports the work of social and environmental organisations, primarily in the so-called global South through information, research, advocacy, campaigning, networking and capacity-building.

The core of Both ENDS' activities is in making connections, between South and North, environment and development, and between different sectors of society.

Both ENDS functions as a go-between to support individuals and social organisations working in the field of ecological sustainability and social justice. The main focus is the realisation of sustainable forms of natural resource management and to promote social justice, sustainable livelihoods and economy. 

Nursanna Marpaung is the General Chairperson of HUKATAN – Federation of Forestry, General Industry, Woodworking, Agriculture and Plantations, with extensive experience in the Indonesian labour movement and in advancing workers’ rights, decent work and social dialogue, particularly in the palm oil sector.

She has long-standing experience working at the intersection of labour rights, responsible palm oil production and multi-stakeholder engagement. As General Chairperson of HUKATAN, she leads advocacy, worker capacity building, collective bargaining initiatives and social dialogue with companies, government institutions, trade unions and other stakeholders. She has also been actively promoting women’s participation and leadership within trade unions and workplaces.

Within the RSPO, Nursanna has contributed to the Human Rights Working Group and Shared Responsibility Working Group, bringing the workers’ perspective into discussions on labour rights, social responsibility and implementation of sustainability standards. She has also facilitated training for HUKATAN and JAPBUSI members on the RSPO Principles and Criteria, with particular focus on labour rights and working conditions, living wages, gender equality and violence and harassment in the workplace.

Nursanna has served as Executive Secretary of JAPBUSI (Network of Indonesian Palm Oil Trade Unions) since 2018, following her election by the Steering Committee and subsequent re-election through the JAPBUSI Members’ Consultative Meeting. Through this role, she facilitates engagement between palm oil trade unions, government, the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), the ILO and other stakeholders on key labour issues, including wages, employment status, child labour, women workers and occupational safety and health.

Her experience also includes human rights due diligence, gender equality, grievance mechanisms, collective bargaining and responsible supply chains. She is committed to ensuring that global sustainability standards are meaningful, practical and responsive to the realities faced by workers and other stakeholders in Indonesia.

HUKATAN Federation (Federation of Forestry, General Industry, Woodworking, Agriculture and Plantations) is a trade union federation affiliated with KSBSI, with extensive experience in advancing workers’ rights, decent working conditions, social protection, gender equality, and fair and sustainable industrial relations in Indonesia.

HUKATAN has a broad membership base across various regions of Indonesia, including the palm oil, plantation, forestry, agriculture, and related industrial sectors. In the palm oil sector, HUKATAN actively advocates for the interests of plantation workers and workers throughout the supply chain through trade union strengthening, member capacity building, collective bargaining, policy advocacy, and the development of social dialogue mechanisms.

As an active workers’ organisation in the palm oil sector, HUKATAN has experience in promoting the implementation of workers’ rights, living wages, freedom of association, occupational safety and health, protection of women workers, prevention of violence and harassment in the workplace, and effective grievance mechanisms. HUKATAN also pays particular attention to vulnerable workers and to increasing women’s participation and leadership within trade unions.

HUKATAN has extensive experience engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, companies, GAPKI, RSPO, ILO, civil society organisations, smallholders, and other trade union organisations. Through these engagements, HUKATAN seeks to bridge workers’ perspectives with the sustainability needs of the industry and promote the resolution of labour issues through social dialogue and constructive approaches.

In the context of RSPO, HUKATAN contributes to discussions on human rights, workers’ rights, Shared Responsibility, gender, working conditions, living wages, grievance mechanisms, and strengthening the implementation of the RSPO Principles and Criteria. HUKATAN also actively builds workers’ and trade unions’ understanding of RSPO sustainability standards, ensuring that workers are not merely recipients of the impacts of the certification process, but also actors and an integral part of sustainability governance in the palm oil sector.

HUKATAN believes that the sustainability of the palm oil industry cannot be measured solely by environmental performance and productivity, but must also encompass respect for workers’ rights, decent working conditions, social protection, gender equality, sound industrial relations, and workers’ participation in decision-making.

With its organisational experience, broad worker base, and active engagement in palm oil and RSPO-related issues, HUKATAN is well positioned to provide an independent, constructive, and field-based workers’ perspective within RSPO governance. HUKATAN is committed to promoting an RSPO that is more inclusive, transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of workers, smallholders, communities, and businesses, while strengthening the credibility of sustainability in Indonesia’s palm oil sector.