VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Head of the Library Information Services Center and Archipelago Manuscript Management Agus Sutoyo - 

Being smart and wise in using social media is very important in today's digital era. This was discussed in The Leader's talkshow with the theme "Indonesian Children are Smart Literacy and Use Social Media" by sindonews and MNC Trijaya FM, Thursday (3/8/2023).

The event, which was hosted by Nick Wardi, presented presenters from the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas RI). Namely the Head of the Library Information Services Center and Archipelago Manuscript Management Agus Sutoyo, and Children's Service Librarian Fitriana Ramadhani.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday, Agus explained that in the current era of technological development, the role of books is increasingly being forgotten. Even though its existence is very important in the growth and development of the nation's generation. Children start to forget interesting reading, because they are engrossed in their gadgets.

In fact, the literacy campaign had previously been echoed by the National Library of Indonesia. What is the role of parents in responding to the rapid development of technology. In 2003, the national reading ambassador at that time, Tantowi Yahya, had started. With the tagline "My First Library Mother". This means that parents have an important role at home, before socializing out of the house.

“Mothers or fathers accompany their children to introduce literacy. Research proves that aged 0-5 years in children, their development is controlled through reading books," said Agus.

Currently, he continued, the literacy campaign is still ongoing. With changing national reading ambassadors. The role remains the same, inviting to be close to the book. But in today's era, combining with technology.

“We are already there. In the new National Library of Indonesia building which has 24 floors, technology has been applied. How to be able to make a major contribution to society. We take that role. By preparing containers and facilities. Among them is the Special Services for Children. Visits on Saturday and Sunday are always overloaded, especially from children."

“We have to please the children when they play in the library. This is where the role of National Library of Indonesia librarians helps how to play while reading. Because the world of children cannot be separated from playing," added Agus.

Agus revealed, Children's Special Services are made more fun. There are toys and so on. The pleasure that was initially obtained through gadgets, can be transferred to the library. “We did not abandon technology, but instead started to use it. Namely making the I-Pusnas application. So if people want to read books, they don't have to come to National Library. Just open the app on your mobile phone."

"For schools there is the Pusnas Edu application, making it easier for libraries in schools to find books for teaching and learning needs," said Agus.

So, for children to like literacy, the role of parents is needed. For example, turning off the television from 18.00-19.00 WIB to give reading time. “This is indeed the biggest challenge. From an early age, familiarize yourself with reading material. When they want to sleep too, children like to read fairy tales the most, "he said.

Meanwhile, Fitriana Ramadhani added, being a special librarian for children is required to have high creativity. So that they can be directed to carry out literacy activities. When reading for example, but not like reading.

“For example, children are asked about their goals. They read first, then write what they want to be when they grow up. In this way, the book comes alive. No longer finish reading, then close the book. So create something from reading, “he said//VOI

UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart in the 2nd edition of UK Solar Summit - 

UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart’s visit to Indonesia reaffirms UK - Indonesia collaboration on energy transition Announces the £6.5 million extension of the MENTARI partnership to support Indonesia’s low carbon transition UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, will visit Indonesia on 3 – 7 August 2023 and meet with Indonesian government officials to advance the UK & 39;s growing partnership with Indonesia on the clean energy transition. He will also explore further opportunities for British investment, trade and skills sharing to support climate action as set out in the UK-Indonesia Partnership Roadmap. 

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday, during his visit, Minister Stuart will announce the extension of the UK-Indonesia MENTARI partnership (Menuju Transisi Energi Rendah Karbon Indonesia – Towards Indonesia’s  Energy and Low Carbon Transition). This flagship support programme will provide £6.5m (Rp 135 billion) of new UK funding and technical assistance to attract investment for renewable energy projects, supporting Indonesia's efforts to accelerate an ambitious clean energy transition which utilises the full extent of Indonesia's vast array of solar, wind, marine and geothermal energy potential.

Minister Stuart will also meet with Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif to welcome Indonesia’s positive steps towards a net zero future and discuss how it can build on its regional leadership as ASEAN Chair and recent host of the G20 Presidency to achieve global climate change goals, including maximising the potential of the Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership.

While in Jakarta, the Minister will visit key figures in business and finance, including the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, KADIN, and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). He will listen to Indonesia's plans to accelerate the development of low carbon infrastructure and will discuss how the UK can further support Indonesia's drive for
green investment. The Minister will also travel to Lombok to witness how UK support has facilitated the upgrading of the existing state-owned dam into a micro hydro power plant. He will hear from
key stakeholders how UK funding provides a blueprint for expanding renewable energy generation through existing infrastructure.

“With one of the fastest growing economies in the world and huge potential to develop renewable power, Indonesia can play a leading role in Southeast Asia’s clean energy transition. With the help of UK expertise and investment, Indonesia is accelerating its transition from coal to clean electricity while striving to achieve net zero by 2060 or sooner. Today, I am delighted to announce the extension of the MENTARI UK-Indonesia Low Carbon Energy Partnership. This programme is working closely with our Indonesian partners to accelerate renewable investment to aid Indonesia’s transition to a green economy, helping Southeast Asia’s most populous country to realise its renewable potential.” Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart said/VOI

Update info on El Nino by World Meteorological Organisation - 

El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, setting the stage for a likely surge in global temperatures and disruptive weather and climate patterns.

A new Update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts that there is a 90% probability of the El Niño event continuing during the second half of 2023. It is expected to be at least of moderate strength. The WMO Update combines forecasts and expert guidance from around the world.

“The onset of El Niño will greatly increase the likelihood of breaking temperature records and triggering more extreme heat in many parts of the world and in the ocean,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.

“The declaration of an El Niño by WMO is the signal to governments around the world to mobilize preparations to limit the impacts on our health, our ecosystems and our economies,” he said. “Early warnings and anticipatory action of extreme weather events associated with this major climate phenomenon are vital to save lives and livelihoods.”

El Niño occurs on average every two to seven years, and episodes typically last nine to 12 months. It is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. But it takes place in the context of a climate changed by human activities.

In anticipation of the El Niño event, a WMO report released in May predicted that there is a 98% likelihood that at least one of next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be warmest on record, beating the record set in 2016 when there was an exceptionally strong El Niño.

The WMO report in May, led by the UK’s Met Office with partners around the world, also said there is a 66% likelihood that the annual average near-surface global temperature between 2023 and 2027 will temporarily be more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one year. 

According to WMO’s State of the Global Climate reports, 2016 is the warmest year on record because of the “double whammy” of a very powerful El Niño event and human-induced warming from greenhouse gases. The effect on global temperatures usually plays out in the year after its development and so will likely be most apparent in 2024.

The average global temperature in 2022 was about a.15 °C above the 1850-1900 average because of the cooling triple-dip La Niña//VOI

Familiarization trip to Bali for China's Travel Agencies - 

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) is holding an introductory public tour activity or familiarization trip (famtrip) by inviting five journalists from the five most influential media in China which takes place in Bali from 26 June to 1 July 2023. 

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in his statement, Monday (3/7/2023), explained that the famtrip program this time was the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Provincial Government of Bali which was focused on promoting the Bali destination as the most desirable tourist destination for the Chinese market.

"With various strategic steps taken with partners to promote Indonesia in general and Bali in particular, we hope that this program can contribute to the revival of our economy, create jobs, and open up the widest possible business opportunities for the tourism sector and Indonesia's creative economy said the Menparekraf.

Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, added that the five journalists who participated in this famtrip came from The Paper (Shanghai), People's Daily, The Beijing News, Nanfang Daily, and Chengdu Economic Daily.

"Not only designed to showcase Bali, this famtrip also offers journalists to experience the experience of traveling directly so they can convey better information to their readers or audience about Bali," said Made.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday, tourists from China have indeed become the main focus of the Indonesian tourism market since 2017.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, China was one of the countries with the largest contributor to tourist arrivals to Indonesia. From 2017 to 2019 around more than 2 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia.

The amount spent by tourists from China was also the largest before the pandemic.

Data shows the average length of stay (_length of stay_) of Chinese tourists in Indonesia ranges from 8 to 10.71 days, with an average spending per arrival (ASPA) reaching US$1,100 to 1,386.55. This figure is equivalent to European tourists who are famous for being extravagant when traveling.

To accelerate the recovery of Indonesian tourism and attract more tourists from China to the country, Ni Made stressed the importance of expanding direct connectivity.

"More direct flights will make it easier for Chinese tourists to travel to Indonesia. Therefore, we strongly encourage airline partners to reopen routes and meet passenger capacity, at least at pre-pandemic levels," Made added.

As of June 2023, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy recorded a total of 50 direct flight routes from 10 cities in China to Jakarta and Bali, with a total of 50 flight frequencies/week, operated by 8 airlines from China to Indonesia. So that the total seat capacity reaches 9,939 seats per week.

Tourism Marketing Director for the Asia Pacific Region of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Wisnu Sindhutrisno, said that in order to achieve the new target of 361,500 Chinese tourist visits this year and maintain Wonderful Indonesia, especially Bali, a collaborative marketing approach is needed by all stakeholders.

"Therefore Kemenparekraf is not only cooperating with the Government of Bali. This Famtrip is also supported by various partners, namely The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas - Nusa Dua Bali; China Southern Airlines; Garuda Indonesia; Atlas Beach Party; Hatten's grapes; and Krisna Souvenirs," said Wisnu.

The famtrip participants were invited to visit some of the “Top 10 most popular Points of Interest (POI) in Bali for Chinese tourists” according to leading Chinese online travel agents (OTAs) such as Trip.com and Tuniu.com. Among them are Uluwatu, Jimbaran, Bali Swing Ubud, and Puri Saren Agung.

During the trip, participants also had unforgettable flying experiences with China Southern Airlines and Garuda Indonesia, which have continued direct flight routes from China to Indonesia//VOI