VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Belgrade held a Diplomatic Reception in commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of Indonesia and the Indonesian Armed Forces on Thursday (5/10/2023). This effort was made to maintain the momentum of closer Indonesia-Serbia relations.

The Diplomatic Reception of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade was attended by a number of high-ranking Serbian officials including First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, and Minister of Regional Development, Edin Djerlek, Heads of Representatives and diplomatic circles as well as international organizations, business circles, other partners and friends of Indonesia in Serbia.

"Indonesia-Serbia cooperation is not only reflected in increased trade, but also includes strengthening political relations, cultural exchanges and educational cooperation," said Indonesian Ambassador to Serbia Mochammad Chandra Widya Yudha, in a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade received by Indonesia Window here on Friday (6/10/2023).

The year 2023 was marked by improved relations in various sectors, including an increase in trade volume by 227% in the first half of 2023 compared to last year. The collaboration between the two countries also resulted in the inauguration of the document "The First Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade" as UNESCO's Memory of the World.

"In addition, Serbia's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia (TAC) reflects Serbia's recognition of ASEAN principles and values promoted in Indonesia's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023," the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade wrote.

The close socio-cultural ties between Indonesia and Serbia were also reflected in the cultural performances at the Diplomatic Reception, which fully involved the Serbian community in showcasing Indonesian language, culture and arts. This included choir groups, dance groups and gamelan groups.

"Partnerships and cooperation in various sectors are increasingly opening up opportunities for people-to-people-contact interactions," Ambassador Chandra said.

Furthermore, according to him, people-to-people-contact that is fostered continuously through the facilitation of various scholarships from the governments of the two countries, has also further increased understanding of each other, as a basic capital for increasing the diplomacy of Indonesia and Serbia to a further stage. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: It's not just the Jakarta Fair that has Kerak Telor, this week, Paris also had special guests, Kerak Telor and Bir Pletok. For the first time in history, these two Betawi specialties stopped by Paris, at the Fête de l'Archipel or Nusantara Festival organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Paris in collaboration with the DKI Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Office and a number of other agencies.

"The world-renowned gastronomy school, Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, was visited by Kerak Telor and Bir Pletok served by Indonesian celebrity Chef, Chef Marinka, a judge of Master Chef Indonesia," wrote the Indonesian Embassy in a statement received by Indonesia Window here on Friday (6/10/2023).

The Cordon Bleu students filled the Kerak Telor cooking demonstration room and were very enthusiastic about learning about the various spices typical of the country that have opened the path of exploration to the archipelago in the late Middle Ages (spice route). "The prospective chefs were also very interested in the use of charcoal / firewood in the process of making Kerak Telor in the traditional way, which can provide a special aroma," wrote the Indonesian Embassy.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Paris, Mohamad Oemar, who was warmly welcomed by the CEO of Le Cordon Bleu International, André Cointreau, conveyed Indonesia's richness in terms of food recipes that need to be tasted and learned.

"Most of the basic spices of Indonesian cuisine have been exported throughout the world, so that the world-renowned chefs can help promote the taste of Indonesian specialties in their respective restaurants in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, CEO of Le Cordon Bleu International, André Cointreau, said that many of Cordon Bleu's gastronomy graduates from Indonesia are successful in improving the quality of their dishes. Currently, there are at least 30 Indonesian students studying at Le Cordon Bleu Paris.

"André Cointreau is also looking at opportunities to work with the Indonesian Government to develop a gastronomy school in Indonesia," the Indonesian Embassy wrote.

The event with the theme "Culinary Voyage to the Archipelago of Indonesia" was held within the framework of the Nusantara Festival, which is an integrated promotional event for Indonesia in the fields of trade, investment, creative economy including fashion and culinary, as well as culture and tourism.

This activity was held by the Indonesian Embassy in Paris from September 29 to October 5, 2023 to increase Indonesia's visibility in France, including efforts to penetrate the world market.

The Nusantara Festival series of events began with trade promotion in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection exhibition on the official Paris Fashion Week agenda. Eight Indonesian brands, namely 3Mongkis, Aidan and Ice, Artkea Stripes, Artkea Bloom, Christin Wu, Elly Han Jewelry, IKYK, Jewel Rocks Bijoux, and Long Stroy Short, displayed their collections at the L'Adresse Showroom during the week to potential buyers from all over the world who attended the Fashion Week in Paris.

On the investment front, the Indonesian Embassy in Paris in collaboration with the French business association, MEDEF International, organized the Indonesia-France Business Forum on 4 October 2023 to promote investment opportunities in Indonesia, particularly in the development of the Archipelago's Capital City. The event was also attended by the Head of IKN Authority.

The promotional activities were followed by a showcase of Indonesian wastra and culture which featured 9 homeland brands to the world fashion stage namely 3Mongkis, Adrie Basuki, Artkea x Aidan and Ice, Batik Gobang Jakarta, Hian Tjen, IKYK, Natakerti Fashion Designer, and Tidore weaving from North Maluku presented by Puta Dino Kayangan brand.

The show was also enlivened by Balinese dance performances by Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Denpasar accompanied by Gamelan Puspawarna from the Pantcha Indra Association based in Paris. In addition, the DKI Jakarta Cultural Office also took the Salon Opéra at the InterContinental Paris - Le Grand Hotel by storm with a Betawi dance performance accompanied by a thunderous Gambang Kromong orchestra.

"The two groups of artists from Jakarta and Bali also enlivened the Diplomatic Reception in commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia and the 78th Anniversary of the Indonesian National Army," wrote the Indonesian Embassy.

The Diplomatic Reception was attended by at least 500 associates and key partners of the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, foreign Ambassadors based in Paris, Defense Attaches based in Paris, representatives of the French Government, Indonesian business partners, and indonesianists who continue to actively support the promotion of Indonesia in France. (VOI/Andy)

Scholarships awardees takes picture with the Ambassador of Australia to Indonesia in Jakarta - 

The recipients of ten special Australia Awards scholarships celebrating Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara, commenced their studies at Monash University Indonesia this week.

The Australia Awards Nusantara Scholarships were announced jointly by the President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Australia at their Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Australia in July. The scholarships are provided by the Australian Government for Indonesian scholars to study at Monash University Indonesia in fields relevant to the development of the new capital.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (05/10/23), the Nusantara scholars are established professionals working in a variety of fields across the public and private sectors throughout Indonesia. They will study in a range of Masters programs, including Public Policy and Management, Business Innovation, Cyber Security and Public Health.

“Education has the power to transform individuals, communities and nations. Australia is delighted that the Nusantara Scholars will commence their studies at Monash University Indonesia this week,” said the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM. “Each of these talented individuals will receive a world-class Australian education right here in Indonesia, equipping them with knowledge, skills and networks to contribute to Indonesia’s new capital.” 

The Nusantara awardees were selected from a competitive field of more than 500 applicants by a panel made up of Indonesian and Australian academics, and representatives of the New Capital Authority (Otoritas IKN). Scholars were chosen for their potential to become global leaders and agents of change, with the professional, personal and academic potential to contribute to Indonesia’s development. 

Monash University established the first Australian university campus in Indonesia in 2020. The Nusantara scholars will study for up to two years at Monash University Indonesia and will also attend leadership training in Australia//VOI

Deputy for National Library Resource Development, Adin Bondar interviewed by national tv station after press conference -

The highest appreciation deserves to be given to individuals or parties who have shown high dedication to the utilization of libraries and literacy in the country. This was given in the 2023 Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka award.

Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka is the highest appreciation from the government through the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) to the community, both individuals, groups and institutions who have succeeded in increasing literacy and the love of reading actively, effectively and innovatively through library utilization.

The award winners from the eight Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka 2023 categories will be awarded specifically at the Gemilang Library night at Grha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on Wednesday (11/10/2023).

Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka was awarded to winners in the categories of Public Official, Community, Literacy Activist, Mass Media, Journalist, Preserver of Ancient Manuscripts, Best Book (Pustaka), and Lifetime Achievement.

Apart from that, on the Gemilang Library night, awards were also given from competitions and contests held by the National Library such as the National Best Achievement Librarian competition, Best SMA/SMK/MA Library, Best College Library Practice, and Local Content Based Applied Literacy Competition.

In a press conference ahead of Gemilang Library 2023 on Friday (06/10/23), Deputy for National Library Resource Development Adin Bondar was present accompanied by the Head of the Center for Library Information Services and Archipelago Manuscript Management (Pujasintara) Agus Sutoyo, as well as the Head of the Human Resources and General Bureau Janti Suksmarini.

Deputy Adin said the Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka award was not just a ceremony. This appreciation from the National Library is an implementation of the 1945 Constitution which mandates that one of the state's goals is to educate the nation's children.

"The government is obliged to give awards for movements to cultivate a love of reading to individuals, groups or institutions that have succeeded in increasing reading habits in society through the use of libraries," said Deputy Adin in front of the media crew, Friday (6/10/2023).

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday, with an edutainment concept, Gemilang Library 2023 has the theme "Gemilang Library, Advanced Literacy, Advanced Indonesia". It is stated that this theme reflects the spirit of library transformation to build national literacy with the inclusiveness of library services so as to create the quality of Indonesian society which is independent, creative and innovative.

"Libraries play a role in increasing human literacy through library transformation," he added.

The library transformation presented is not only in the form of digital service activities, such as BintangPusnas, e-Resources, Indonesia One Search (iOS), iPusnas, Khastara, to the Digital Reading Corner (POCADI), but also in the community entrepreneurship incubator program through library transformation based on social inclusion (TPBIS).

Meanwhile, the Head of Pujasintara, Agus Sutoyo, said that libraries are currently inclusive, where every community can use the library which is expected to improve welfare.

"This concept is directly related to the important role of libraries in social inclusion. Library collections must be able to be applied and transformed into applied knowledge that is beneficial to society," he said.

It is said that the success of TPBIS lies in its ability to increase society's ability to produce goods and services.

"Every year, this program continues to be developed by exploring the potential of libraries, not only in food production, animal husbandry or fisheries, but also in the arts and culture fields which can be an important resource for Indonesia's progress," he said.

Gemilang Libraries 2023 will be attended by a number of ministers/heads of institutions, Governors, Regents, Mayors, working partners of Commission libraries, academic community, and society.

Gemilang Library 2023 can be watched online on October 11 2023 at 18.30-21.30 WIB via the National Library's YouTube channel and the Zoom Meeting application with a capacity of 10,000 people.
The highlight of the 2023 Gemilang Library will be the performance of Setia Band, a band from Bandung led by Charly van Houten//VOI