VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Socialization Reading hobby activity held by the National Library in Jakarta, Tuesday, (24/9/2024); (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Advances in the digital era have brought a shift in literacy. Currently, some people look for information through social media. No more reading books. Searching for information on social media should be considered entertainment.

This was conveyed by member of Commission X DPR RI Putra Nababan at the Socialization Reading hobby activity held by the National Library in Jakarta, Tuesday, (24/9/2024).

Indonesia at the age of one century (2045) will be filled with young people who are the result of the demographic bonus. The basis is family support as the basis for developing literacy from an early age.

"To become a strong country, we need strong families that are formed from parents' support for children's literacy," said Putra.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday on September 24th 2024 in Jakarta, Putra added that this support can be started by providing reading materials at home to encourage children's curiosity.

In a child's growth and development, parents' support for literacy is very important.

“Accompany them in reading. Interact when children read books. Create activities after reading. "Encourage children to do things like in the books they read," advised literacy activist Maman Suherman.

He added that the current challenge for children's literacy is digital which is full of inappropriate content. So, parents must strictly limit the use of screen time. Prioritize activities with children so that they can be guided in digital literacy.

In the context of development, humans are one component whose capacity must be increased. Therefore, this year the National Library initiated the Indonesian Reading Movement program.

This movement targets all entities in society, starting from early childhood, teenage students, parents, teachers, librarians, literacy activists to library managers and TBM.

"This program is a form of good practice on the importance of reading as the main capital in improving literacy culture in society," explained National Library Library Resource Development Deputy Adin Bondar.

Academic from Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University, Adiyati, stated that the future of a nation is determined by the current young generation.

So, it is not wrong that parents need to model literacy for their children because everything that grows from home will be a key factor in the child's life in the future.

Closing the talk show, Program Officer from The Asia Foundation, Sinta Aryasatyani, said that literacy from an early age does not grow by itself, but must be formed and developed by creating an interactive and fun atmosphere.

"Give attention, love and appreciation to children's potential so that they are comfortable talking and feel appreciated," concluded Sinta.

On the sidelines of the activity, National Library handed over symbolic assistance in the form of 1,000 copies of quality reading books along with display shelves to TBM Sijabrik, TBM Rumah Literasi and TBM Rumbana//VOI

Acting Head of the National Library E. Aminudin Aziz giving his welcoming speech at the the Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka award ceremony, (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The National Library awarded the Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka award. The award was given at the 2024 Gemilang Library literacy celebration, Friday, (20/9/2024).

Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka (NJDP) is the highest form of appreciation for parties who have worked hard to increase the love of reading and literacy through reading materials and library utilization.

The NJDP was given to six categories, namely literacy activists, literacy communities, literacy districts/cities, ancient manuscript preservers, mass media and journalists.

Apart from NJDP, at the same moment awards will also be given from a number of competitions and elections held by the National Library, such as the National Level Speaking Competition for Elementary/MI Students, Best SMA/SMK/MA Library Competition, College Library Innovation Competition, Book Selection Best (Librarian), and National Best Achievement Librarian 2024.

Literacy has become a topic and is always interesting to discuss. In fact, in the last decade, the government has included literacy as a development focus or priority.

So, starting in 2024 the National Library is trying to restructure the program so that public access to qualified reading sources is achieved well.

"Our restructuring focuses on three major aspects which are priorities, namely developing reading culture and literacy skills, mainstreaming Indonesian manuscripts, and library standardization and accreditation," said Acting Head of the National Library E. Aminudin Aziz last night.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday September 20th 2024 in Jakarta, the reason why Perpusnas focus on these points are First, the results of developing Indonesian people's literacy skills are still not encouraging when compared with reference countries.

The level of interest in reading is not yet completely good due to the low availability of reading materials that are correct and in accordance with the interests and needs of prospective readers.

Therefore, National Library strengthens 10 thousand village/sub-district libraries and TBMs throughout Indonesia by providing quality books and display shelves. Each village library/TBM will be provided with 1,000 copies of books and various training and assistance to library/TBM managers regarding optimal use of books.

Second, National Library realizes that there are still many libraries that do not have uniform facilities, including management competency standards that still need to be improved.

Therefore, we are massively implementing accreditation of library institutions, implementing training, and technical guidance for library managers at the school library and TBM levels. We also provide similar things to library staff to increase their competency with certification programs and competency tests.

Third, Indonesia has many ancient manuscripts (manuscripts) from the archipelago that have not been well preserved. In fact, some are still neglected and unused. Of course, this is a concern, especially since many Indonesian manuscripts are traded through the black market.

Through the program of mainstreaming Indonesian manuscripts, the National Library carries out efforts to conserve and digitize manuscripts (media transfer), as well as convert tens of thousands of manuscripts so that the content in these ancient manuscripts can be used to improve the quality of life of the community.

"We realize that manuscripts are often seen as useless, on the one hand, but considered "heavy" on the other hand, especially by the younger generation," added Aminudin.

For these reasons, National Library is trying to visualize ancient manuscripts into story books/comics with the hope that from a young age they will know and understand the content of Indonesian manuscripts.

National Library's efforts in preserving and utilizing ancient manuscripts received appreciation from world institutions by being awarded the UNESCO-Jikji Memory of the World Prize 2024 by UNESCO with the support of the South Korean Government//VOI

The signing of the repatriation agreement to return 288 cultural heritage objects from Indonesia, at the Wereldmuseum, Amsterdam, on September 20, 2024, (Photo : KBRI Amsterdam) - 

VOInews, Amsterdam : The Indonesian and Dutch governments signed a repatriation agreement or return of 288 cultural heritage objects from Indonesia, at the Wereldmuseum, Amsterdam, on September 20, 2024, at 15:00 CET.

The signing was carried out by the Director General of Culture Hilmar Farid on behalf of Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Nadiem Anwar Makarim and Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eppo Bruins.

The signing event was also attended by representatives of the Indonesian Collection Repatriation Committee in the Netherlands, namely Chairman I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja and Secretary Bonnie Triyana, Chairman Dutch Repatriation Commission Lilian Goncalves, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Netherlands Mayerfas, and a number of officials from the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday September 20th 2024, this 2024 repatriation agreement is a continuation of the 2023 repatriation, which resulted agreement to return 472 cultural heritage objects from Indonesia, consisting of four Singosari Temple statue, a Klungkung Kingdom keris, Lombok loot, and collections Pita Maha.

While the first repatriation process was underway, the Repatriation Committee conducted studies and compiled a list of other Indonesian cultural heritage objects that still exist in the Netherlands to be sent home.

A total of 288 cultural heritage objects from Indonesia are included in the second repatriation agenda is the result of this study. Realization of return of 288 original cultural heritage objects Indonesia is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia in early October 2024.

The repatriation of cultural heritage objects this time includes Ganesha statues, Brahma statues, two temple statues Singosari, and 284 objects from the Puputan Badung collection.

Repatriation 2024 is part of cultural cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries agreed in 2017. 

This collaboration does not only repatriate cultural heritage objects from Indonesia Netherlands, but also encourages research to generate new knowledge about archipelago civilization//VOI

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Britain September 4, 2024. Britain, under his new Labour government, is pursuing new trade ties with the rest of the world. (REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo) - 

VOInews, London : Southeast Asia is among the key engines of global growth in the years to come and poses “a huge commercial market”, said British Trade Policy Minister Douglas Alexander. The region has a population of about 680 million people and an estimated total gross domestic product amounting to approximately US$3.6 trillion. 

“There are real opportunities, both for investments into the United Kingdom and exports from the UK to this global growth pool,” said Mr Alexander, who is currently in Laos to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Meeting. 

“We are here with a very straightforward and open message: Britain is back and we're open for business,” he told CNA on Wednesday (Sep 18).

Britain, under the new Labour government, is pursuing new trade ties with the rest of the world. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made economic growth the central mission of his administration, and sees giving businesses access to international markets as a key step. Mr Alexander said the UK is taking a “twin-track approach” to trade. 

“We are seeking to reset and rebuild our trading relationships with our neighbours and partners in the European Union,” he added. 

“At the same time, we're seeking to seize the opportunities of strengthening our trading relationships right around the world.”

The UK has been pursuing a range of free-trade deals since its departure from the EU. 

“In every trade deal, there are complexities, there are challenges, there are negotiations that need to be resolved,” Mr Alexander noted.

“But I genuinely believe that liberalising trade and securing effective free trade agreements can be actual win-wins for both of the parties.”

By the end of this year, the UK will join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), an Asia-Pacific trade bloc. 

“That's a market of about 600 million consumers. It includes some of the most dynamic growing economies anywhere on earth,” said Mr Alexander. 

“So, that's a good example of the kind of modern trade deal that the UK is looking forward to striking now and in the years ahead.”

Several UK ministers are in the Indo-Pacific region this week for various talks, to show the Labour government’s new approach on the world stage. 

“The Indo-Pacific is basically the fastest growing region in the world,” said British Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West on the sidelines of the Milken Institute’s Asia Summit in Singapore. 

While there are many opportunities available for its businesses, Britain also has “a lot to offer” the region, including areas such as education, climate change and culture, she told CNA on Wednesday. 

“We're open for business,” she said, echoing Mr Alexander. 

“We're going to have a sense of predictability, so that people are very clear that they can invest in the UK and we can have investments here in the Indo-Pacific. Together, we can have that prosperity that we all wish to see.”//CNA-VOI