VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

National Coordination Meeting for Development of Village-Based Literacy and Innovation - 

Villages in Indonesia need more attention from the central and local governments. With a population of around 75 thousand, villages are communities where Indonesians live, interact, engage in economic activities, and socialize.

The government's policy in disbursing village funds is considered very appropriate to support village development. Deputy for Coordination of Mental Revolution, Promotion of Culture and Sports Achievement at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Didik Suhardi, said there were many challenges in efforts to improve literacy in Indonesia, especially in villages. Moreover, reading culture is not an instant process to be formed, but a long process that must be taken.

“This reading culture cannot be direct, there is a civilizing process that starts from childhood. So adults don't suddenly enjoy reading," he explained at the National Coordination Meeting for Development of Village-Based Literacy and Innovation which was held in a hybrid manner, Wednesday (22/6/2022).

Furthermore, Didik hopes that the village as an entity is able to improve the literacy and innovation capabilities of its people so that they can play a more active role in development in Indonesia. He emphasized that village development is the key to alleviating poverty, reducing stunting, increasing literacy, innovation, and creativity. According to him, in an effort to improve the reading culture of the people, the National Library of Indonesia (NLI) has a big role.

Deputy for Library Resource Development, National Library of Indonesia, Deni Kurniadi, said that the Literacy Culture Improvement Program had entered the 2020-2024 RPJMN through developing a culture of reading fondness, developing a book system and strengthening literacy content, as well as increasing access and quality of libraries based on social inclusion.

"Libraries contribute greatly in building a knowledge society through collective efforts to foster reading traditions and culture in society," he said.

To support the reading culture of the community, the library does not only contribute to educating the community. The library has also been transformed into a strategic institution to improve public literacy and improve the welfare of the community by providing a real impact on improving the family economy so that it is able to alleviate poverty in Indonesia.

"In this case the Social Inclusion-Based Library is a library that facilitates the community in developing their potential by looking at cultural diversity, willingness to accept change, and offering business opportunities, protecting and fighting for culture and human rights," he explained.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (23/06/22), Secretary of the Directorate General of Village and Rural Development, Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, Rachmatia Handayani, explained that the paradigm of village development has changed. The village is no longer the object of development, but has become the main subject of development. Thus, the village is recognized as a community-based government.

"We, the government and the community must be involved in all aspects of development in the village," said Rachmatia.

The village has 18 objectives, one of which is Quality Village Education. There are several targets that must be achieved considering that education is an investment that determines the nation's future. In addition, education is also an important requirement in improving the quality and competitiveness of human resources, especially in villages.

Therefore, the village government must ensure the availability and affordability of quality education services and easy access for village communities. Preschool education services, non-formal education and the availability of village libraries must be presented.

"We have collaborated with the National Library of Indonesia to be able to realize a village library, both through the village fund budget and other assistance in realizing Quality Village Education," he concluded//VOI

The opening of Bali 2022 Art festival - 

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno revealed that more than 360 events both on a national and international scale were held in Bali throughout 2022 as part of supporting the revival of the tourism sector and the creative economy in Bali.

"We count that more than 360 national and international scale events this year will be held in Bali. We will continue to encourage and prepare starting from events in Denpasar, as well as those in western and northern Bali," said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno. after the opening ceremony of the "Bali 2022 Arts Festival" at the Ardha Chandra Open Theater, Denpasar, Sunday (12/6/2022) night.

Menparekraf Sandiaga said that from the beginning his party supported the continued holding of various activities in Bali as part of efforts to support Bali's recovery from the impact of the pandemic. As is known, tourism is the backbone of Bali's economy.

"For us to be concrete, since I was in charge I have moved a lot of our activities in Bali to support the revival and recovery of tourism and the creative economy. Bali's increasing economy is also supported by MSMEs," said Sandiaga.

Therefore, he will continue to encourage events to be held in Bali such as the Bali Arts Festival which involves a lot of MSME players during the activity. Including providing promotional support by maximizing digital and data-based platforms.

"We see that tonight the revival of Bali is increasingly visible. We are very supportive and hope that events like this will continue, keep the momentum going, ensure that all efforts to ensure this recovery can be maintained," said Sandiaga.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday (13/06/22), Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace) on the same occasion expressed his appreciation for the support given by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in supporting the revival of tourism and the creative economy in Bali. The holding of the Bali Arts Festival is expected to be a milestone in the real revival of Bali.

"Although tourism has been opened in stages from October, the opening of Bali as a whole, which involves the actualized community in organizing this Bali Arts Festival, is where all regencies/cities show their hidden achievements for two years. Hopefully this can support the revival of Bali in the future, " said Cok Ace.

In the opening ceremony of the Bali Arts Festival in 2022, art performances were presented including the Bandana Manggala Yudha Children's Row Dance and a Ballet performance entitled Catur Kumba Mahosadhi, directed by ISI Denpasar in collaboration with the Usadhi Langu Studio//VOI

The library building in North Nias - 

Head of the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas), Muhammad Syarif Bando, inaugurated the North Nias Regency Library Service Building. The inauguration was carried out together with the Regent of Nias Utara, Amizaro Waruwu, and the Deputy Regent of North Nias, Yusman Zega.

The construction of the two-story building was sourced from the Physical Special Allocation Fund (DAK) for the library sub-sector of Rp. 10,723 billion, which was disbursed by the central government in 2019. Assistance for the construction of library facilities was carried out in order to realize President Joko Widodo's vision and mission for the development of human resources (HR). .

"The National Library of Indonesia, representing the central government, expresses its highest appreciation for the progress that the local government and the people of North Nias Regency have made in the last 14 years of being established as a district," he said after inaugurating the North Nias Regency Library Service Building which was coupled with the talk show Improving the Community Literacy Index, in Lotu, North Nias, North Sumatra, on Monday (13/6/2022).

Syarif also expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the Regent of North Nias who laid the foundation for human resource development to improve the welfare of the community. Furthermore, he emphasized that efforts to educate the lives of the nation's children are the responsibility of every element of the nation, both executive, legislative, judicial, and TNI/Polri.
He said that the acceleration of the progress of an area was supported by intelligent human resources.

“Intelligence can come from anywhere. One of the most extensive learning and knowledge spaces is in the library,” he explained.

On the other hand, the Regent of North Nias, Amizaro Waruwu, expressed his gratitude for the DAK disbursement from the central government supported by the National Library of Indonesia which provided assistance for building construction in his area. 

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday (13/06/22), the Head of the National Library of Indonesia handed over a mobile library car for North Nias District through the North Nias District Library and Archives Service and one mobile library motorbike for literacy activists, which were received by Desman Telaumbanua.

On this occasion, Arismanwati Amizaro Waruwu was inaugurated as the Literacy Mother of North Nias Regency for the 2022-2024 period. After being inaugurated, he hopes that libraries in North Nias Regency can live more under the guidance of the National Library of Indonesia//VOI

 British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste during opening speech - 

More than 700 people – mostly Indonesians and Brits, came together on Tuesday night at the Ritz Carlton, in Mega Kuningan, Jakarta to celebrate the UK’s thriving relationship with Indonesia and with ASEAN, and both Her Majesty Elizabeth II’s birthday and 70 years of service. 

Guests were entertained with British food and beverages, with traditional classics like Fish & amp; Chips and Roast dinner served alongside Curries and Daal - dishes brought to the UK by the unlimited migration from Commonwealth countries between the years of 1948 and 1962 – which saw the UK transformed by migrants from India, Pakistan, the Carribean and many more. British desserts and cheeses were laid out for guests – including Sticky Toffee pudding, Eton Mess and Bread & Butter pudding. 

Guests were able to check out a VR booth that took them to virtual experiences in the UK and earn a copy of the British Embassy’s new Tourism Guidebook; use a 180 degrees Glam Cam to take photos; and take Lavender seeds home to plant – as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative that has seen 1 million trees planted in the UK to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Guests were entertained by a 10-piece military band flown over specially from the UK to play at this event, and Indonesian rock group ‘Centre Stage’ – who played British music hits from Queen, The Beatles, Oasis, Blur, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Adele and more. Speeches from British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Owen Jenkins and British Ambassador to ASEAN Jon Lambe, thanked Indonesia and ASEAN for the growing partnership “we are weaving even closer together”, reflected on the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, and the huge changes in that time, and looked forward to expanding and strengthening the relationship. 

According to a release receive by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday (31/05/22), the growing global importance of Indonesia and ASEAN has long been apparent to the UK. In 2021 the UK went further - setting out its ‘tilt’ to the Indo-Pacific – putting growing relations with the region at the heart of the UK’s foreign, defence, security and development policy. Two weeks ago, the UK set out its development strategy, with Indonesia one of only a couple of countries named more than once.

The UK wants to see Indonesia and ASEAN develop and grow more prosperous, and the UK believes helping countries grow will help the UK to build strong friendships around the world, in the near and long term. Just as Her Majesty the Queen has seen a lot of changes in her 70 years on the throne – so will the world see a lot of changes in the coming 70.

In recognition of the Queen’s historic achievement, the outer embassy wall in Patra Kuningan will be lit up with purple lights throughout the 4 day weekend. The celebrations in Jakarta are complemented by those in the UK. The UK will enjoy a one-off four day weekend, from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th of June, with full coverage on BBC World News. British people are extremely excited, with streets transformed for street parties, cakes baked and more//VOI