Jakarta, 21 October 2016 – On 21 October 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of 17 goals of sustainable development for the benefit of humankind and the planet earth.  As a philanthropic organization that cares about Indonesia’s sustainable development, Tanoto Foundation supports the achievement of the targets of those SDGs.

Target 11 is one of the SDGs targets which relates to the making of cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable.  For this purpose, Tanoto Foundation supports the development of a Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak/RPTRA (Child Friendly Integrated Public Space) Akasia in Tebet Barat, South Jakarta.  This 2,400 square-meter public space is equipped with facilities such as a multi-purpose room, a library, children playground, futsal field, nutrition garden and pond, as well as an amphitheater.

“Our support is in line with the principle of Tanoto Foundation’s founders, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto and Mrs. Tinah Bingei Tanoto.  They believe that learning does not always have to occur in classrooms, but can also occur in our surrounding environment,” said Sihol Aritonang, Head of Tanoto Foundation Executive Board at the inauguration of RPTRA Akasia in Kelurahan Tebet Barat, South Jakarta, on Friday, 21 October 2016.

“With the existence of RPTRA Akasia, we hope children in Tebet Barat and the surrounding areas can play and learn so that they can grow and develop well.  Also for the parents, we hope they can gather together, socialize, and come up with ideas for positive activities from this place,” continued Sihol Aritonang.

In addition to providing support for RPTRA Akasia, Tanoto Foundation also gives support to PAUD (Early Childhood Education Center) Cempaka 7, which location is not far from the RPTRA Akasia.  “We also believe that education, which is of quality and can be easily accessed, should be available to people of all ages.  This belief is also in line with Target number 4 of the SDGs, which is Quality Education.  In relation to Early Childhood Education, we realize that child brain development occurs during the first 8 years since birth.  In Jakarta, Tanoto Foundation has been supporting 7 PAUD.  Supports provided by Tanoto Foundation include the training of teachers so they can manage the teaching learning process well, building repairs, provision of learning and play equipment (indoor and outdoor), and provision of reading books,” said Sihol Aritonang in closing.

Meanwhile, the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), in his welcome speech said that, “Whether you like it or not, Jakarta develops into a modern city.  In the future, each family will have its own busy works and interests which will result in people not having care for one another.  Before this happens, I want each RW (sub subdistrict) to have one RPTRA so that there are facilities for residents to gather together, build friendship, to care for and share with one another.  RPTRA is much needed by the community.”

He also welcomed Tanoto Foundation’s support.  “We appreciate the supports of the private sector parties such as Tanoto Foundation.  This cooperation is necessary so that many more members of the community can enjoy this type of facility.”

Team iChange wins inaugural “Crossing the Chasm Challenge,” an initiative that brings together social enterprises, industry mentors and students to address the first Sustainable Development Goal

Singapore, 21 September 2016 – Students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) worked together with top ASEAN social enterprises, to compete through the inaugural “Crossing the Chasm Challenge” for prizes amounting to S$75,000. The Challenge focused on students working with industry mentors to help social enterprises helping to end poverty devise marketing plans and pitches for success.

Organised by the Asia Centre for Social Enterprises and Philanthropy (ACSEP) at NUS Business School, with financial support from the Tanoto Foundation, this is the first time social enterprises and students were matched with industry experts to advance the social sector in the region, and have their solutions be pitched to a panel of judges to win prizes.

Team iChange, comprising NUS undergraduates Vincent Ng, Jared Ho, Terence Teoh and Tan Yan Ni, and their social enterprise, SDI academy, won the grand prizes of S$12,000 and S$30,000 respectively. In the final round of the challenge held on 16 September 2016, the team proposed strategic solutions to address the Singapore-based social enterprise’s outreach issues to empower migrant workers with communications skills.

Team Krakakoa, comprising Yale-NUS undergraduates Angela Ferguson, Anjali Hazra, Jermaine Pan and Regina Ng Si En, and their social enterprise Krakakoa, won the runners-up prizes of S$8,000 and S$20,000 respectively. The team proposed key differentiation and unique selling propositions for the Indonesian chocolate producer who was looking to expand into the Singapore market. The team also bagged the People Choice’s Award, winning additional S$2,500 each for their team and for Krakakoa.

Launched with the goal of offering students the opportunity to learn from real world social enterprises and enable them to contribute to the sustainability of the businesses, the annual Challenge encourages the participation of industry mentors to work closely with NUS students in conceiving and developing innovative solutions and approaches.

Jambi, 21 September 2016 – Tanoto Foundation continues to realize its commitment in supporting the education sector in Indonesia.  Support to the education sector is realized through two activities, namely increase in access to education and improvement in education quality.  With regard increase in access to education, Tanoto Foundation provides various scholarship programs for school and university students, who have high achievement but experience economic constraint.

On 21 September 2016, at Jambi University Rectorate Building, Tanoto Foundation held the signing of scholarship awards with the scholarship recipients of Jambi University bachelor’s degree programs.  For the period of 2016/2017, 15 students have passed the selection to become Tanoto Foundation’s scholarship recipients or Tanoto Scholars.

“We welcome Tanoto Foundation’s scholarship program at Jambi University.  With scholarships from Tanoto Foundation, many more students have the opportunity to step up their achievements and capacities.  With respect to the scholarship recipients, we hope they become agents of change for the better future of Indonesia,” said Jambi University’s 3^rd Vice Rector in charge of Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Abdul Aziz, M.Si.

For the period of 2016/2017, Tanoto Foundation has awarded in total 275 scholarships to S1 (Bachelor’s Degree) and S2 (Master’s Degree) students under National Champion Scholarship (NCS) program and 15 scholarships to S1 students under Regional Champion Scholarship (RCS) program.  The National Champion Scholarship (NCS) program has the goal of educating Indonesia’s future leaders by providing scholarship support to students in 12 state higher education institutions which are partners of Tanoto Foundation.

Meanwhile, the Regional Champion Scholarship (RCS) program has the goal of educating candidate leaders from rural areas, who have the commitment to develop their areas.  Up to the present, Tanoto Foundation has supported more than 2,700 students under the NCS and RCS programs as well as has undertaken partnerships with 35 state as well as private universities in Indonesia.

In addition to receiving supports for tuition cost and allowance, Tanoto Scholars also receive training on soft skill capacity development, for example on leadership and communication capacities.  In addition, they are also supported in the establishment of Tanoto Scholars Association and participate in various social events in their surrounding areas.

“I am proud to have been accepted as a Tanoto Scholar.  Scholarship support from Tanoto Foundation has given me stronger drive to improve my academic achievement.  In addition, support from various trainings from Tanoto Foundation will assist me in achieving my dream to become an entrepreneur such as Mr. Sukanto Tanoto,” said Tiffany, a Tanoto Scholar from the Jambi University’s Faculty of Economy and Business.