Kamaruddin Azis, Founder, The Maritime Posts (maritimeposts.com)
Community Empowerment & Knowledge Management Specialist
PELAKITA.ID – Kamaruddin Azis is an Indonesian development practitioner, writer, and knowledge management specialist with more than two decades of experience in community empowerment, coastal and marine development, and multi-stakeholder facilitation.
He is the founder of The Maritime Posts, a platform dedicated to advancing discourse on maritime issues, coastal livelihoods, and sustainable development in Indonesia and beyond.
His professional journey reflects a strong commitment to bridging knowledge, policy, and grassroots action—particularly in coastal and rural communities across the archipelago.
Current Roles
Kamaruddin currently serves as a Community Empowerment and Knowledge Management Specialist under the COMMIT Foundation in collaboration with PT Vale, where he focuses on strengthening community-based initiatives and knowledge systems in East Luwu, South Sulawesi.
He is also the Executive Secretary of The Community Initiatives for Transformation (COMMIT), a role he has held since 2012, supporting training, consulting, and publishing initiatives that promote inclusive development.
Professional Experience
Over the years, Kamaruddin has worked with a wide range of international organizations, government institutions, and development programs, including:
- FAO (UN) – Communications Consultant for the ISLME Project, supporting transboundary cooperation and sustainable fisheries management across Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
- IFAD & Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Indonesia) – Knowledge Management Specialist for the Coastal Community Development Project, producing strategic publications and policy-oriented content.
- GIZ (Germany) – Facilitator for the FELICITY program, contributing to capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
- USAID SEA Project – Local Government Network Facilitator, strengthening collaboration in fisheries management areas.
- Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW Indonesia) – Fisheries Assessment Expert and community development advisor in CSR-based marine programs.
- JICA (Japan) – Provincial Project Officer for the Sulawesi Capacity Development Project, focusing on regional planning and human resource development.
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Social Development Specialist in post-tsunami recovery programs in Aceh and Nias.
- World Bank (COREMAP) – Capacity Building Mediator, facilitating community-based marine resource management and conflict resolution.
His earlier career was rooted in grassroots facilitation with NGOs, where he worked directly with coastal communities on conservation, alternative livelihoods, participatory mapping, and institutional strengthening.
Areas of Expertise
- Community empowerment and participatory development
- Knowledge management and development communication
- Coastal and marine resource management
- Capacity building and training facilitation
- Policy advocacy and multi-stakeholder engagement
- CSR and social investment program design
Professional Contributions
Kamaruddin has produced a wide range of knowledge products, including articles, newsletters, books, and policy briefs. His work often emphasizes translating complex development issues into accessible narratives that can inform both policy and public understanding.
Through The Maritime Posts, he continues to amplify stories, research, and perspectives from the maritime sector—positioning it as a strategic knowledge hub for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
Vision
Kamaruddin Azis envisions a development ecosystem where local knowledge, community voices, and scientific insights are equally valued.
His work consistently aims to ensure that coastal and rural communities are not merely beneficiaries of development, but active agents shaping their own sustainable futures.
