VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Secretary of the National Library, Joko Santoso giving his opening remark on the National Library a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) in Bali on Monday (29/04/24); (Photo : Perpusnas) -

VOInews, Badung, Bali : In order to prepare the initial draft of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan (Renstra), the National Library held a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) or Focused Group Discussion (DKT) for the Bali, Nusa Tenggara and Kalimantan regions, Monday (29/4) at The Patra Bali.This activity aims to capture community aspirations to get the best ideas for library development in the next five years.

The Principal Secretary of the National Library, Joko Santoso, said that in preparing the initial draft of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, it was necessary to build collaborative activity program planning in realizing sustainable cross-central and regional library development.

"This activity is the right place to build collaboration in planning activity programs to realize sustainable library development. "Active participation from discussion participants is highly expected in this meeting by providing constructive input for better development planning in the library sector," he hoped when opening the event.

Apart from capturing aspirations and building collaboration between stakeholders, this FGD also aims to identify problems and strategic issues related to library development as well as equalizing perceptions regarding the current condition and expectations regarding future library development.

In the welcoming session, the Head of the Denpasar City Library and Archives Service, Dewa Nyoman Sudarsana, appreciated the National Library for making Bali one of the locations for holding the FGD for the Preparation of the National Library Strategic Plan.

"It is an honor for us for the Bali Province to be able to host this activity. "Let's use this opportunity to contribute input and constructive thoughts for better future development planning in the library sector," he invited the FGD participants.

Meanwhile, as resource persons for the FGD were Joko Santoso and Didik Darmanto, Director of Religion, Education and Culture, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas guided by moderator Kusmeri, Chair of the Planning, Program and Budget Working Group and acting as discussant Edi Wiyono, Library Strategic Management Officer Team National.

Didik Darmanto explained the direction and policies in the field of literacy and libraries. One of them highlights various measurement results on the literacy of Indonesian society, for example the results of PISA measurements and the Cultural Advancement Index.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (01/05/24), the PISA achievement trend began to show improvement in 2015, but in 2022 there will be a decline in achievement in all areas tested. PISA is an assessment conducted by the OECD to measure the reading, mathematics and science literacy skills of 15 year old students which is held every 3 years.

"In 2022, reading literacy skills will experience a very significant decline, reaching 12 points and becoming the lowest achievement in the previous 19 years. Based on this data, strategic steps are needed from the National Library in an effort to encourage improvements in PISA scores in the future. "Of course, with alignment with the Policy Direction and Cultural Development Strategy 2025-2045," he added.

In the discussion session, Joko Santoso reinforced that the preparation of the initial draft of the National Library Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 refers to the direction of policy and development strategies in the library sector, namely increasing literacy culture, creativity and innovation and refers to the direction of National Library policy, namely: Strengthening reading culture and literacy, mainstreaming archipelago ancient manuscripts, standardization and library development, as well as support for strengthening institutional partnerships and synchronizing integrated service information systems.

It is hoped that the three main issues that are the direction of the National Library's policy will be able to provide a focus for both central and regional governments as well as other library institutions in preparing their programs and activities in order to overcome various literacy issues.

In the discussion session, Edi Wiyono highlighted several inputs and criticisms from the participants. Some of the participants' thoughts were used as recommendations to be considered as part of the National Library Strategic Plan.

Among others 1). implement a mandatory book reading program according to educational level. This is considered important for knowledge, education and strengthening one's literacy, 2). optimizing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool in the context of strengthening reading and literacy culture in bringing innovation and positive change, 3). consider involving the private sector in the form of CSR to support the strengthening of reading and literacy culture, both CSR in the form of physical development, procurement of reading materials/books and support for other literacy activities.

FGD activities were carried out using a hybrid method, offline at The Patra Bali and online via the zoom meeting platform. There were 125 offline participants consisting of representatives of the Bali Provincial/Regency/City Library Service, Bali Provincial/Regency/City Education Service, Representatives of School Principals/Heads of School Libraries at Elementary, Middle School and High School Levels in Denpasar City and Badung Regency, Representatives Head/Manager of Village/Subdistrict Libraries in Denpasar City and Badung Regency, Representative Head of Libraries/Chair of Public and Private University Library Study Programs in Denpasar City and Badung Regency, Writers' Community and Literacy Activists in Denpasar City and Badung Regency.

In terms of the location of implementation, the FGD held in Bali was the third location. For the same purpose, previously the National Library had held events in Padang, West Sumatra (Sumatra Region) and Jakarta (Java Region). Next, efforts to gather community input will be carried out in Manado, North Sulawesi (Sulwesi, Maluku and Papua Region)//VOI

The 30 antiquities were looted, sold or illegally transferred by networks of American dealers and traffickers. (File photo: X/HSI New York) - 

VOInews, New York : New York prosecutors said on Friday (Apr 26) they had returned to Cambodia and Indonesia 30 antiquities that were looted, sold or illegally transferred by networks of American dealers and traffickers.

The antiquities were valued at a total of US$3 million, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

Bragg said in a statement that he had returned 27 pieces to Phnom Penh and three to Jakarta in two recent repatriation ceremonies, including a bronze of the Hindu deity Shiva ("Shiva Triad") looted from Cambodia and a stone bas-relief of two royal figures from the Majapahit empire (13th-16th century) stolen from Indonesia.

Bragg accused art dealers Subhash Kapoor, an Indian-American, and American Nancy Wiener in the illegal trafficking of the antiquities.

Kapoor, accused of running a network trafficking in items stolen in Southeast Asia for sale in his Manhattan gallery, has been the target of a US justice investigation dubbed "Hidden Idol" for more than a decade.

Arrested in 2011 in Germany, Kapoor was sent back to India where he was tried and sentenced in November 2022 to 13 years in prison.

Responding to a US indictment for conspiracy to traffic in stolen works of art, Kapoor denied the charges.

"We are continuing to investigate the wide-ranging trafficking networks that ... target Southeast Asian antiquities," Bragg said in the statement.

"There is clearly still much more work to do."

Wiener, sentenced in 2021 for trafficking in stolen works of art, sought to sell the bronze Shiva but eventually donated the piece to the Denver (Colorado) Museum of Art in 2007.

The antiquity was seized by the New York courts in 2023.

During Bragg's tenure, the Antiquities Trafficking Unit has recovered nearly 1,200 items stolen from more than 25 countries and valued at more than US$250 million.

New York is a major trafficking hub, and several works have been seized in recent years from museums, including the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art, and from collectors//CNA-VOI

The logo of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) at the HI roundabout, Jakarta, on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Indonesia will host this forum with the theme of "Water for Shared Prosperity" in Bali on May 18-25, 2024. (ANTARA/Aprillio Akbar/foc/rst) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Indonesia would be able to explore, learn, and develop weather forecast management to tackle extreme climates at the 10th World Water Forum (WWF), Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Minister's Expert Staff Firdaus Ali stated.

"At the forum, we can further explore, learn, and develop the role of weather forecast to deal with extreme climates," he remarked on Saturday.

Ali made the statement when asked about WWF's role in helping Indonesia to mitigate the impact of extreme weather on domestic food security.

He noted that weather and climate are predictable phenomena, unlike earthquakes which cannot be predicted when it will occur and how strong it will be.

Hence, he expressed hope that study in data management and development in weather forecast would help Indonesia to anticipate extreme climates and mitigate impacts in the community.

In order to provide a forum for various countries to exchange ideas, Indonesia is proposing the development of a center of excellence or best practices for water and climate resilience called the Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience (COE).

“Indonesia has the facilities and infrastructures. We need international collaboration and support from donor countries," he remarked.

Earlier, Expert Staff to PUPR Minister for Technology, Industry, and the Environment, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, stated that Indonesia would propose the establishment of a COE at the 2024 WWF to deal with water management due to climate change.

He then highlighted the existence of the Sabo Training Center in Sleman District, Yogyakarta, which could become part of the COE in future.

With the development of the Sabo Training Center, Atmawidjaja believes Yogyakarta can accommodate Southern countries to learn water management and climate resilience//Antara-VOI

A number of tourists visited Tolire Lake in Takome Village, Ternate, North Maluku, Sunday (3/3/2024). The Ternate City Government is focusing on developing the tourism sector, one of which is arranging supporting facilities at the Tolire Lake tourist attraction using APBD funds worth IDR 15 billion because the area is one of the destinations most visited by tourists both from within and outside the country which is expected to encourage an increase in tourist visits and stimulate the community's economy. ANTARA PHOTOS/Andri Saputra/Spt - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The Indonesian government is boost the establishment of World Lakes Day at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali on 18-25 May 2024. This determination is one of the four points of the proposal brought by Indonesia to be adopted as a United Nations (UN) resolution.

This was stated by the Deputy Chair of the Secretariat of the 10th World Water Forum National Organizing Committee and Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) for Technology, Industry and the Environment, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, Saturday (27/4/2024).

"We want to schedule World Lake Days. This is what we are proposing through the UN General Assembly mechanism so that the decision can later be adopted as a UN resolution," said Endra.

The need to establish World Lakes Day is motivated by the condition of lakes in the world, including Indonesia, which is in the critical category. Lakes which function as water reservoirs also need to be maintained so that water availability for the entire world community is met.

"Our lakes act as extraordinary water reservoirs. We take great pains to build dams, but we have to take care of the natural water reservoirs themselves, namely lakes," said Endra.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday (27/04/24), the government has also prepared a draft of the Bali Declaration which contains Indonesia's targets for producing concrete follow-up actions following the implementation of the 10th World Water Forum, one of which is the establishment of World Lakes Day through a UN resolution.

Then the establishment of the Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience, and mainstreaming water management issues for developing countries on small islands.

Finally, recording a list of water projects as an inclusive but voluntary Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions. The Compendium will contain a list of projects, initiatives and collaborations managed by national, regional and international water stakeholders. Indonesia will also prepare an online platform for the submission process.

Previously, Chairman of the Secretariat of the National Committee Organizing the 10th World Water Forum and Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Mohammad Zainal Fatah revealed that the ministerial level declaration was currently in the final draft stage which was ready to be presented at the 10th World Water Forum.

"We are at the final draft stage which they have approved and that way, at the forum, we just have to declare that this is a joint commitment," Zainal.

The draft Bali Declaration was carried out in consultation with parties, including the World Water Council facilitated by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Indonesian government together with the World Water Council have prepared a series of meeting forums leading up to the peak event of the 10th World Water Forum. The forum consists of three main processes, namely political, regional/regional, and thematic. The synergy of these three processes is needed in an effort to realize water as a means for shared prosperity//VOI