Right picture: Belinda Tanoto, member of Tanoto Foundation Board of Trustees, with Douglas Broderick, United Nations Resident Coordinator Indonesia

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are enhancement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are reaching their final stage in 2015. During a panel discussion held by Tanoto Foundation and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, Douglas Broderick, United Nations Resident Coordinator said, “We must be able to measure the progress of SDGs over time. For that, data from national to local levels is needed so achievement as well as challenges of SDGs could be measured at all levels.”

Sihol Aritonang, Head of Tanoto Foundation Executive Board reiterated the support of the Foundation for SDGs. “This is in line with the belief of Tanoto Foundation founders, Bapak Sukanto Tanoto and Ibu Tinah Bingei Tanoto, that private sectors and philanthropic organizations could be involved in activities in regions to support the achievement of MDGs that now have been expanded into SDGs.” Sihol Aritonang further added that Tanoto Foundation will continue to implement activities in Education, Empowerment, and Enhancement of Quality of Lives, as well as improving partnerships. “Partnerships of Tanoto Foundation with United Nations organs will be expanded to include an establishment of joint secretariat, development of SDGs platform at national level, and formulation of SDGs at local level,” added Sihol Aritonang.

For education sector for example, SDGs target is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Tanoto Foundation supports the effort to improve quality of and access to education. To date, Tanoto Foundation has implemented its school improvement program (Pelita Pendidikan) and collaborates with more than 320 schools in North Sumatra, Riau, and Jambi. To improve access to education, Tanoto Foundation has provided more than 5,400 scholarships for students in Indonesia. Tanoto Foundation also supports early childhood education in Riau, North Sumatra, Jambi, and Jakarta.

“All of Tanoto Foundation activities are to support alleviation of poverty and sustainable development. Tanoto Foundation is proud to have the same mission and be a part of the inclusive process to implement SDGS programs in Indonesia,” said Sihol Aritonang.

Top: Imelda Tanoto, center, with the event’s speakers, Boenjamin Setiawan and Hariono, second and third from right.
Bottom: Participants of Tanoto Entrepreneurship Series.

There are many successful business people in this world who are relatively young. For example, the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, or Microsoft founder, Bill Gates. They are still relatively young because they started their business at the young age. Further, the key to their success was their courage to dream and to start the endeavor of being entrepreneurs.

This was mentioned by Dr. Boenjamin Setiawan, founder of PT. Kalbe Farma Tbk., one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Asia. Dr. Boenjamin, or usually known as Dr. Boen, conveyed this piece of information during the Tanoto Entrepreneurship Series in October 30, 2015 at University of Indonesia Faculty of Economics Graduate Program in Management.

Tanoto Entrepreneurship Series is regularly held by Tanoto Foundation to provide opportunities for the Graduate Program students to learn directly from successful entrepreneurs. In this event, Tanoto Foundation invited Dr. Boen and Hariono, KASA Group founder, as speakers.

As the next speaker, Hariono motivated the participants to have the courage to start as entrepreneurs. “The biggest obstacle usually comes from within you. You often have the debate whether or not you would like to start. Whether or not you would like to take the risk. Once you start this endeavor, you should try very hard to maintain your business. Not being afraid to face challenges is one way to do that,” said Hariono.

In this event, Imelda Tanoto, member of Tanoto Foundation Board of Trustees said, ”Entrepreneurs play an important role in Indonesia’s development because entrepreneurs produces innovations. These innovations are then used to support the increase of productivity, open new markets, and grow the economy.”

Imelda Tanoto also said that at the moment, the number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia is still significantly lower than that of in other countries. In addition, with the commencement of ASEAN Economic Community at the end of 2015, Indonesia needs new entrepreneurs to compete with other ASEAN countries. She hopes that Tanoto Entrepreneurship Series can inspire the young generation to become young entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth and development of the country.

Cynthia Andriani (third from right) with other participants of 22nd Tri-U International Joint Seminar and Symposium at Jiangsu University, China

Cynthia Andriani was born in Madiun, East Java in November 5, 1994. As the eldest child of the family, Cynthia wanted to be the role model for her two younger siblings. Continuing her education at Bogor Agricultural University and having to leave her home town was her choice as well as personal challenge. In 2011, Cynthia was accepted at the University’s Food Technology and Science Department because of her excellent high school academic achievement.
One day, Cynthia realized that many of her friends who had high academic achievements were also recipients of Tanoto Foundation scholarship. This realization encouraged her to apply for the Tanoto Foundation scholarship herself. In 2013, she was selected as a Tanoto Scholar.

As a Tanoto Scholar, Cynthia does not only receive financial support but also opportunities to improve her soft skills and capacity.

In 2015, Cynthia was selected as one of University’s delegates to take part in 22nd Tri-U International Joint Seminar and Symposium at Jiangsu University, China. Tri-U was a forum of sharing of knowledge and information of four universities namely Mie University (Japan,) Chiang Mai University (Thailand,) Jiangsu University (China,) and Bogor Agricultural University.

The support from Tanoto Foundation allowed her to go to China and attend this prestigious event from October 18 to 23. She learned a great deal academically. She was also able to expand her network as well as learned to work with other International students. At the end, the students were required to present their work in front of the forum and Cynthia was selected as Best Presenter in Food Category.

However, Cynthia is not easily satisfied with all these achievements. Until now, she continues to take part in many activities at the University because she believes that only when she is on the move then she will improve.