Singapore, 5 November 2015 – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a chapter towards enhancing Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) that has reached its final phase in 2015. During his speech at the United Nation’s General Assembly last September, Vice-President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, emphasized the importance of involvement from all parties including the public in philanthropic activities, in order to reach the goal of SDGs. Indonesia has successful reached several key indicators of MDGs, particularly aspects related with poverty alleviation, education, improving equality, and the environment. Nonetheless, there remains the need for a harder effort to achieve other key indicators of MDGs, such as tackling infant mortality and maternal health, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, access to clean water in village areas, as well as the level of internet literacy in Indonesia.

During a panel discussion held by Tanoto Foundation and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, Douglas Broderick, United Nations Resident Coordination explained that, “We have to be able to measure the progress of SDGs from time to time. Therefore, we need data from national level to village level, so that the SDGs achievements and obstacles can be measured throughout all levels.”

Dr. Ali Said, M.A, the Head of Sub-Directorate of Statistic Indicators of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) added that the statistical indicators to monitor the achievements of SDGs are not entirely available yet. Consequently, BPS and other statistics organizations need to work collectively to support the goal of SDGs, including the availability of data, be it for program planning, as well as in measuring progress.

Sihol Aritonang, Chairman of Tanoto Foundation, expressed the commitment to achieve the goal of SDGs, especially because Indonesia is one of the exemplary nations for Post-2015 Partnership Platform for Philathropy. “This is in line with the principles of Tanoto Foundation’s founder, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto and Mrs. Tinah Bingei Tanoto, that private institutions and philanthropic organizations can create a concrete work in the regional level to achieve the goals of MDGs that are now enhanced in SDGs.” For that, Sihol Aritonang further explained, Tanoto Foundation will continue its program in Education, Community Empowerment, as well Enhancement of Qulity of Lives, and also to expand the network partnership. “Our partnership with organizations within the United Nations will be expanded to include the development of a joint secretariat, development of SDGs platform on national level, as well as efforts to formulate SDGs at the local level,” Sihol Aritonang added.

In the Education sector, for example, SDG targets a quality education that is inclusive, equal, and promote a life-long learning process. Tanoto Foundation, in principal, aims to improve the quality and accessibility of education. Up to this d, Tanoto Foundation has conducted the Pelita Pendikan Program and work in partnership with over 320 schools in North Sumatera, Riau, and Jambi, in the effort to improve the quality of education. For its effort to improve the accessibility for education, Tanoto Foundation has rewarded scholarship to more than 5400 university students in Indonesia. Tanoto Foundation also provides early childhood education in in Riau, North Sumatera, Jambi, and Jakarta.

In the Community Empowerment effort, Tanoto Foundation works with its corporate partner, Asian Agri, in the Farmers Governmental Partnership program, which includes the involvement of 3,600 farmers who manage over 11,000 hectares of sustainable palm oil plantation. In partnership with APRIL, Tanoto Foundation works to support 200 small and micro enterprises and facilitate venture capital loans at the amount of IDR. 91 billion, to support the development of small and micro enterprises in the area in which the group operates. On the other hand, for the Enhancement of Quality of Lives, Tanoto Foundation also works with the corporate partners to manage the health program, improving of access to sanitation and clean water.

 “All of the activities by Tanoto Foundation flow back to the effort to tackle poverty and to support a sustainable development. We are proud that Tanoto Foundation has a mission that is in line with and become part of the inclusive implementation process for SDGs programs in Indonesia,” said Sihol Aritonang in closing his explanation.

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For further information, please contact the following:

Lestari Boediono, Head of Corporate Communications

Phone: +62 21 392 3189, Fax: +62 21 392 3324

Email: lestari_boediono@www.tanotofoundation.org

About Tanoto Foundation

Tanoto Foundation, which was established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, has a vision to become a center of excellence in the effort for Poverty Alleviation through Education, Empowerment, and Enhancement of Quality of Lives. In the realm of education, Tanoto Foundation supports the improvement of accessibility and quality of education in Indonesia.

In order to improve the accessibility of education, Tanoto Foundation has rewarded scholarships to more than 5,400 students and university students, as well as working in partnership with 28 Universities in Indonesia. Moreover, to improve the quality of education, Tanoto Foundation works in partnership with over 320 schools in North Sumatera, Riau, and Jambi. Among the programs operated are to develop the capacities of teachers in classroom-based teaching and learning, training for students to improve their habit to live clean and healthy, as well as supporting students to improve their fascination in reading books.

In the realm of Community Empowerment, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners, PT. Riau Andalan Pul and Paper. One of their programs is to train 3,400 farmers in the Integrated Farming System. Tanoto Foundation also works with other corporate partners, including Asian Agri. The programs were developed to raise the income of more than 3,600 independent farmers who manage in approximate 11,000 hectares of sustainable palm oil plantations.

In the realm of Enhancement of Quality of Lives, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners to run programs such as health and development of clean water and sanitation facilities.

For further information, please visit: staging2-tanotofoundation-org.averis.emerain.net

Friday, 30 October 2015 – Entrepreneurship has a huge influential value in the progress of a country towards prosperity. The higher the level of entrepreneurship in a country is, the higher its economic growth will be. Currently, the amount of entrepreneurs in Indonesia reaches 1.6% of the total population of 250 million citizens, which is precisely at 4 million.  This number is considerably low, hence, the government, through the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, set a new entrepreneurship target of 2% of the total population. Essentially, the government needs an additional 1 million of entrepreneurs in the next few period of time.

To support the birth of more entrepreneurs, Tanoto Foundation, in partnership with Masters of Management of Faculty of Economics at the University of Indonesia (MM FE UI), held a Tanoto Entrepreneurship Series. The event, which was held since 2011, invited the attendance of successful Indonesian entrepreneurs to share tips and insights for success in entrepreneurship to students of MM FE UI.

 “Entrepreneur holds a significant value because they produce innovation. This innovation is what will subsequently be capitals to improve productivity, the opening of new market, as well as economic growth,” Imelda Tanoto, Member of Board of Trustees of Tanoto Foundation, explained.

 “My father, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto, practiced innovations in expanding the business model of Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) Group. His principle focuses beyond profit or bottom line per se. He believes in the principles of 3Cs, Good for Community, Good for Country, and Good for Company. Therefore, he brought the involvement of partners in collectively expanding their business, which eventually would increase their prosperity,” Imelda Tanoto added.

Furthermore, Sukanto Tanoto also possesses three character that led him successful in pushing RGE Group to become a global company. The first character is to focus on understanding all dimensions of business, and to be able to respond to the dynamics in all of the business’ ups and downs. Secondly, it is the spirit of perseverance. The third character is continuous learning and continuous improvement, in which he always learned from his mistakes, fix it, and always aim to achieve the best out of his products and services.

Tanoto Entrepreneurship Series 2015 was held in the Auditorium of MM FE UI building, Salemba, invited the attendance of Boenjamin Setiawan, founder of PT. Kalbe Farma Tbk, and Hariono, founder of KASA Group.

Boenjamin Setiawan was widely known as an entrepreneur of strong vision. He has faced failures in the early stage of his business ventures. However, with hard work and the persistence to learn, he successfully led Kalbe Farma to become one of Asia’s biggest pharmaceutical companies.

Hariono, who successfully built food and beverage and lifestyle companies, including Midori Japanese Restaurant and Bersih Sehat massage parlour, is an entrepreneur that can quickly discover rooms for opportunities in the market. The abundance of competitors in the same industry did not hinder his companies to grow. In fact, his companies continue to grow as Hariono remains committed in innovating the products and services according to the customers’ demands.

Tanoto Entrepreneurship Series was part of Tanoto Foundation’s contribution to inspire young generation in becoming entrepreneurs in Indonesia. Several entrepreneurs that have shared their entrepreneurship experience in the series include Joko Widodo, Jusuf Kalla, CEO of Blue Bird Taxi Nono Purnono, CEO of Garudafood Sudhamek, and the Minister of Maritime and Fishery, Susi Pudjiastuti.

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For further information, please contact the following:

Lestari Boediono, Head of Corporate Communications

Phone: +62 21 392 3189, Fax: +62 21 392 3324

Email: lestari_boediono@www.tanotofoundation.org

About Tanoto Foundation

Tanoto Foundation, which was established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, has a vision to become a center of excellence in the effort for Poverty Alleviation through Education, Empowerment, and Enhancement of Quality of Lives. In the realm of education, Tanoto Foundation supports the improvement of accessibility and quality of education in Indonesia.

In order to improve the accessibility of education, Tanoto Foundation has rewarded scholarships to more than 5,400 students and university students, as well as working in partnership with 28 Universities in Indonesia. Moreover, to improve the quality of education, Tanoto Foundation works in partnership with over 320 schools in North Sumatera, Riau, and Jambi. Among the programs operated are to develop the capacities of teachers in classroom-based teaching and learning, training for students to improve their habit to live clean and healthy, as well as supporting students to improve their fascination in reading books.

In the realm of Community Empowerment, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners, PT. Riau Andalan Pul and Paper. One of their programs is to train 3,400 farmers in the Integrated Farming System. Tanoto Foundation also works with other corporate partners, including Asian Agri. The programs were developed to raise the income of more than 3,600 independent farmers who manage in approximate 11,000 hectares of sustainable palm oil plantations.

In the realm of Enhancement of Quality of Lives, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners to run programs such as health and development of clean water and sanitation facilities.

For further information, please visit: staging2-tanotofoundation-org.averis.emerain.net

Tanoto Foundation supports Teacher Working Group activities.

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Written by Fahri Hidayat Lubis, Tanoto Foundation Jambi

It is quite a different morning at SD Negeri 139/V PKMT, Tungkal Ulu Sub District, Tanjung Jabung Barat District, Jambi. That morning, teachers are busy gathering in one class room and having lively discussions among themselves.
SD Negeri 139/V PKMT is one of the schools that took part in the area’s Teachers Working Group activities. Teachers Working Group is a professional organization which consists of teachers who work together in a cluster system. A cluster typically consists of four to six schools in one sub-district. In this forum, teachers can share relevant information and knowledge as well as get trained in various topics to improve their capacity.

Tanoto Foundation supports the Working Group through several steps. First, Tanoto Foundation selects teachers who take part in its teachers’ capacity improvement program and trains them in topics such as planning and implementing active, creative and collaborative teaching and learning process. Then, these teachers are selected as local facilitators. Finally, these facilitators are required to share the knowledge with others in the Working Group.
One of the collaborative teaching and learning process implemented in classroom is for students to learn a given subject using the “Snakes and Ladders” game. With this game, when the student provides the correct answer, he or she is then allowed to proceed further in the game. However, the student has to go backward if his or her answer is incorrect.

This model is also designed to introduce students’ sense of ownership toward his and her study process as well as others’. The student is not only involved in studying the given topic, but he or she will have to be ready to share and teach the same topic to other members of his or her group. With this exercise, cognitive and social skills of the students will be strengthened.

Elita, Head of SDN 92/V Gemuruh, expresses her happiness because of the Working Group activities. “When we share information and knowledge among ourselves, we are also inspired to continue to be creative in planning and implementing teaching and learning methodology that is attractive for our students in class. With the support from Tanoto Foundation, we are able to carry out different activities in the Teachers Working Group for the benefits of the students,” said the Elita concluding the discussion.