When Progress Leaves People Behind | Adziqa Ammara | TEDxITENAS

This talk challenges Indonesia's obsession with economic metrics as the primary measure of national progress. Citing the Global Wealth Report 2018, Adziqa reveals that the richest 1% of Indonesians control nearly half of the nation's wealth, while resource-rich regions like Central Sulawesi remain poorer than the national average. Progress, it seems, is being built on someone else's loss. Through the stories of Pak Ahmad, a fisherman in Halmahera watching his sea turn toxic, and Ibu Rosina, an indigenous woman in East Kalimantan whose family land was seized for the new capital city, the speaker puts a human face on the cost of development. With 47% of locals exposed to mercury above safe limits and 32% to dangerous arsenic levels, largely from nickel mining that ironically fuels the global push for "green" electric vehicles—the promised prosperity rarely reaches those who sacrifice the most for it. The call is clear: true progress is not measured by how fast a nation grows, but by how many of its people can live with dignity, health, and justice,and whether anyone is left behind in the process. Adziqa Ammara, MD is a physician, content creator, and community leader whose work centers on health education, social issues, and public empowerment. She has built a digital community of more than 135 thousand followers through educational content that fosters meaningful public discourse. Her experience as a Millennial Aide in the Jabar Future Leader program strengthened her understanding of governance, policy implementation, and citizen engagement. As an awardee of the PPK Ormawa Kemendikbud program, she led community development initiatives in Karangwangi Village with a focus on environmental sustainability and education. Her leadership background is further enriched by intensive training through the School of Leader at BEM Kema UNPAD and by various organizational roles involving social advocacy, protocol management, and community health education. This profile reflects her commitment to social innovation, cross sector collaboration, and community centered transformation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx