VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo during a press conference of 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta; NK-VOI - 

President Joko Widodo said that currently the world needs an anchor that functions as a mediator in the current global situation. He also ensured that ASEAN is still on the right track to realize this anchor.

In a press statement delivered after the Closing Ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, in Jakarta, Thursday (7/9/2023), the President said it was important to manage rivalries and not get carried away into existing conflicts.

"I am sure that this world will be destroyed if conflict and tension in one place are brought and used as a force of attraction in another place. If we are unable to manage differences, we will be destroyed. If we go along with the flow of rivalry, we will be destroyed", The President said. 

The President further explained that Indonesia in its Chairmanship of ASEAN 2023 has made many efforts to continue to maintain peace, maintain stability and maintain prosperity in the region. He also always reminded the leaders present of the leaders' responsibility not to create new conflicts and tensions//NDY-VOI

A talkshow at Sawahlunto regional Library - 

As a small town, Sawahlunto does not yet have entertainment facilities and shopping centers like other cities, so the library has become one of the people's favorite gathering places. Sawahlunto is the only region in West Sumatra that has two library service buildings.

This was conveyed by the Mayor of Sawahlunto Deri Asta when starting a series of inaugurations of Sawahlunto Regional Public Library service facilities, which were combined with a talk show with the Indonesian Reading Ambassador, as well as the handover of Digital Reading Corner (POCADI) assistance from the Head of the National Library at the Muhammad Yamin Public Library, Saturday, ( 9/9/2023).

"The Digital Reading Corner will later be placed at the Sawahlunto Public Service Mall," explained Deri Asta.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, Sawahlunto has long been known as one of the oldest coal producing areas in the ASEAN region.

In fact, UNESCO also confirmed Sawahlunto as a world cultural heritage. Just like the Borobudur temple area, the Sangiran ancient human site, and the Subak agricultural water distribution system in Bali.

"We deliberately used a historical building as a library building because it has an inherent image as a cultural heritage city," added Deri.

The high number of public visits to regional public libraries has been put to good use by the government by launching a number of innovation programs such as Literacy study groups (Kejar) Literacy by opening free tutoring in English, mathematics and painting for students and special children from special schools (SLB).

Apart from that, there are also skills classes, such as knitting and sewing classes which are intended for housewives.

"This innovation represents Sawahlunto City in the Provincial Level UKPP Public Service innovation assessment in 2023," added the Mayor.

Director of the National Library, Muhammad Syarif Bando, on his occasion said that to welcome Golden Indonesia 2045, strengthening literacy is important continuously, especially from the family environment.

Strengthening family literacy is considered important in developing motor intelligence as well as emotional and spiritual intelligence so that children with strong character are formed.

"Indonesia will always be asked how it can improve children's reading culture amidst the onslaught of social media and games. "So, the next important step is whether the library has a collection of books about these tips," explained Bando.

Meanwhile, in the talk show session, Indonesian Reading Ambassador (DBI) Gol A Gong admitted that it was the fourth time he had visited Sawahlunto.

Among the participants, DBI remembered his father's message when many people sneered at or bullied his physical shortcomings.

“Do these three things. First, get into the habit of running in the morning after morning prayers. Second, use your free time by reading books. And third, at night I routinely listen to fairy tales," recalled Gong.

He carried out this mandate every day until finally Gong was no longer annoyed by other people's treatment. This is where the role of family literacy comes in, he said.

In line with Gong, Mother of Literacy Sawahlunto Meyvita Belani Husman emphasized that the role of the family is very important in cultivating a culture of literacy from an early age. In terms of educational level, it can start from PAUD.

"We want to introduce books from an early age with programs such as visits to the library (library tour), storytelling activities, and mobile libraries," said Mother of Literacy.

Meanwhile, Sawahlunto Regional Reading Ambassador Zaskia Naila Adri admitted that this opportunity was the right time for her to develop herself for positive things. According to him, young women must be independent and like new things.

Zaskia admitted that the experience of being a Regional Reading Ambassador was the first time she tested how brave and self-qualified she was. Even though he used to be an introvert.

"There was one sentence in the book that I read that was able to change my mindset until now," said Zaskia//VOI

The National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) participated in the 88th World Library and Information Congress (WILC) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)  -

The National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) participated in the 88th World Library and Information Congress (WILC) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) which was held in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The congress, which took place from 21-25 August 2023 at the Ahoy Convention Center Building in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, raised the theme "Let's Work Together, Lets Library.
IFLA President Barbara Lison said that the theme carried by the Dutch hosts this year was "Let's Library". The unique concept of this theme is formulated with the characteristic of the Dutch language where nouns can turn into verbs.

"This inspires a deeper meaning regarding the role of libraries in society," said Barbara at the opening of the WLIC IFLA 2023 recently.
President Barbara Lison explained that the theme of this conference, 'Let's Library, has a deep meaning.

"We can conclude that the library is not only an object, but also an action. The library is a place for action, sharing and creation. People can feel it in many aspects of everyday life," he explained.

According to a release received by Voice fo Indonesia on Thursday, during WLIC IFLA 2023, he continued, more than 230 class sessions and meetings were held. Participants from various countries and professional backgrounds attended this event to deepen their understanding of the role of libraries in an increasingly complex modern society.

"WLIC IFLA 2023 has provided an opportunity for all of us to share views, challenges and solutions that can be adapted and implemented in various parts of the world. Libraries are not only about collecting and disseminating knowledge, but also about advancing society and global sustainability," said the President of IFLA .

He hopes that WLIC IFLA 2023 will continue to have a positive impact in advancing the role of libraries in the midst of the development and dynamics of modern society.

"With the spirit of 'Let's Library', the library is expected to continue to be a center of activity, creativity, discussion and knowledge sharing for the global community," he hoped.

Meanwhile, Head of National Library of Indonesia Muhammad Syarif Bando said National Library of Indonesia received extraordinary appreciation from congress participants through the Social Inclusion-Based Library Transformation (TPBIS) program. These participants included heads of libraries, representatives of institutions and parliaments, literacy activists, and libraries from all over the world.

"The National Library of Indonesia has received attention from heads of libraries around the world because of its breakthrough TPBIS program which is able to empower libraries in the welfare of society," he said.

The Head of National Library added that in efforts to increase the public literacy index, National Library has also made a real contribution by involving all components of the nation, including collaboration with the executive, legislative, judiciary, TNI, POLRI, to collaboration with literacy activists throughout Indonesia.

Further explained, this effort is accompanied by the development of library infrastructure that is evenly distributed. Such as the construction of library buildings, collection donations, information technology.

"Even by presenting mobile libraries such as mobile library cars (MPK), library motorbikes, library boats, library horses, library trishaws, to library public transportation," he said.

The Head of National Library emphasized that the library paradigm has changed. The library strives to embrace the wider community, the library reaches out to the community.
Several initiatives have been taken, including through the development of applications such as iPusnas, BintangPusnas, Indonesia One Search (IOS), Khastara, and various content created by content creators.

"This step makes National Library of Indonesia the leading library in the world with the principle of open access for reference collections and scientific journals," he said.

At this year's IFLA conference, National Library managed to send a delegation represented by Soraya Hariyani Putri and Sadariyah Ariningrum Wijiastuti, with an interesting article entitled "Reference Service Crisis in Research: Threat or Opportunity for Librarian?".

On the sidelines of the conference, the Director of the National Library also signed a cooperation agreement with the Qatar National Library. This collaboration is related to borrowing collections owned by each library.

National Library also actively participated by opening an exhibition booth displaying various information about TPBIS which had been successfully implemented.

Visitors can see firsthand the positive impact produced by literacy activists in various regions in Indonesia in increasing people's interest in reading.

Apart from that, a collection of ancient manuscripts from the National Library which has been recognized as "Memory of the World" by UNESCO is also on display. This collection of ancient manuscripts provides an overview of the history and rich culture of Indonesia//VOI

Coordinating Minister Luhut during a working visit to the Hulu DAS Citarum in Ciminyak Village, Kec. Cililin, Kab. West Bandung - 

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves), Luhut B. Pandjaitan conveyed the problem of climate change and air pollution which had become serious. Moreover, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that there will be no rain at all this month, at least in Jakarta.

To anticipate this, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs said that steps were needed to reduce deforestation, handle critical land and waste.

"Because climate change is big, this is our enemy. Maybe if the cool language is war against pollution or the war against pollution. Don't cut trees or deforestation anymore. Indonesia was one of the best countries to reduce deforestation last year and I I think this is hard work from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. We are also one of the countries in the world and the best in handling pollution, handling this waste. We will take all integrated steps to reduce (pollution)," said Coordinating Minister Luhut during a working visit to the Hulu DAS Citarum in Ciminyak Village, Kec. Cililin, Kab. West Bandung on Tuesday (29/8).

During his working visit this time, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs conducted a review of the critical land management program carried out vegetative and technical civil forest and land rehabilitation activities both inside forest areas and outside state forest areas to overcome the impacts of climate change, one of which is in the Upper Watershed Citarum in Ciminyak Village, Kec. Cililin, Kab. West Bandung.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday, this is one of the nursery locations for the cooperation between the Deputy for Environment and Forestry Management of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries with Astrazeneca and Trees4trees on Support for Reforestation and Revitalization of Critical Land in the Citarum Watershed. This program is part of the AZ Forest global program, to plant 50 million trees worldwide, and nearly half (20 million trees) will be planted in Indonesia.

This program also supports the West Java Government's initiatives for reforestation and revitalization of the Citarum River as well as a sustainable investment agenda to mitigate annual forest fires, landslides and climate change.

Coordinating Minister Luhut added that the AZ Forest Program was expected to ensure the maintenance and sustainable growth of the trees planted. Monitoring mechanisms are needed to track progress and ensure the success of rehabilitation efforts.

"Rehabilitation of critical land should be able to provide incentives to the local community and the trees planted have economic value, both timber and fruit trees through agroforestry practices. Agroforestry practices can provide multiple benefits in the form of environmental restoration and economic sustainability. The AZ Forest Program in Tanjung Puting so that they can be transferred to the Citarum Watershed. Success in planting 20 million trees will be able to rehabilitate and revitalize critical land outside the Citarum Watershed forest area, preserve water sources as well as improve the welfare of the people," explained Coordinating Minister Luhut.

Coordinating Minister Luhut then continued his visit to the Cicukang Oxbow Integrated Waste Management Site (TPST). Garbage is currently a crucial issue faced by Indonesia which must be resolved thoroughly and quickly.

Moreover, the fire incident at the Sarimukti TPA, Bandung, West Java, is a reminder that we can no longer rely on old patterns. Waste must be managed in an integrated manner from upstream to downstream and sustainably, and as much as possible to be used as a new economic resource.

"Right now we are taking every step to deal with this waste, earlier with the Governor and the Regent here (TPST Cikukang Oxbow) they have made RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) that seems successful. From sector 7 they have innovations, working with the center Making the waste process with a good standard can take 1 hour and 1 ton. Governor Ridwan said we wanted to try to make this machine per village or sub-district. So, later we will try to develop this innovation," added Coordinating Minister Luhut.

Coordinating Minister Luhut explained that this year and next year, must be prepared to anticipate the impact of climate change in Indonesia with a longer and drier dry season, as well as lower rainfall. In August-September it is predicted that El-Nino will reach a peak with weak to moderate intensity.

This has the potential to impact water availability, agricultural productivity, and food security. The impact of climate change and El-Nino will undoubtedly affect the Citarum watershed, so anticipatory steps are needed such as early warning, rainwater collection, optimal dam management, application of Weather Modification Technology, and promotion of rainfed agriculture and drilled wells.

"Through the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWMP) Program with the support of the World Bank in the Citarum Watershed, waste processing facilities (TPST) have been built. It is hoped that this can be managed and operated in a sustainable manner. For waste management in the Greater Bandung Area, it is hoped that the Governor can speed up the process "Construction of PSEL in Legok Nangka. The existence of PSEL is not only a step forward in overcoming the waste problem, but also makes a bigger contribution in dealing with the increasing volume of waste," concluded the Coordinating Minister Luhut//VOI