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  • AsiaGlobal Fellows Program in Hong Kong: Join Us and Connect with the Global Networks of Leaders

    AsiaGlobal Fellows Program in Hong Kong: Join Us and Connect with the Global Networks of Leaders

    Are you a passionate leader in politics, policy making, business or civil society? Or, do you know someone who fits this profile? We’re calling outstanding individuals to apply for AsiaGlobal Fellows (AGF) Program this year!

    Tanoto Foundation, in collaboration with New World Group Charity Foundation and the Asia Global Institute, launched The AsiaGlobal Fellows Program. Taking place at the University of Hong Kong, the program is a transformative initiative designed to nurture the next generation of leaders. This intensive interdisciplinary program brings together emerging professionals and leaders from diverse backgrounds, providing them with a platform to enhance their skills, deepen their understanding of global issues, and foster cross-cultural collaboration.

    The program integrates various disciplines, offering fellows a holistic understanding of the interconnected challenges facing the world today. Through lectures, workshops, and discussions led by renowned experts, fellows gain insights that transcend traditional silos.

    A hallmark of the AsiaGlobal Fellows Program is its commitment to providing a global perspective. Fellows participate in study tours, engage with international thought leaders, and collaborate with peers from different countries. This exposure not only broadens their worldview, but also instills a sense of shared responsibility in addressing global issues.

    The program also places a strong emphasis on leadership development, equipping fellows with the skills and mindset needed to drive positive change in their respective fields. Through mentorship, interactive sessions, and practical exercises, participants refine their leadership styles, fostering a community of dynamic and forward-thinking individuals.

    The AsiaGlobal Fellows Program has already made a significant impact since its inception. Alumni of the program have gone on to lead initiatives that address pressing global challenges, ranging from sustainable development to inclusive economic growth. The network of fellows continues to grow, creating a community of leaders committed to making a positive impact on the world.

    More details about the program, the selection criteria, and how to apply can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/4bf3ujce.

    Also, here is other essential information about the AsiaGlobal Fellows program:

    – Applications are open until 31 March 2024
    – Individual interview with the selected candidates: March-April 2024
    – Programs starts from mid-August to mid-Nov 2024
    – Accepted fellows will be required to stay in Hong Kong for the duration of the program, in which they will receive a funding package to facilitate program completion
    – Fellows are expected to cover their travel expenses to Hong Kong from their country of origin, and back
    – Considering the duration of the fellowship, applying for a visa may be required for Indonesian passport holders
    – A certificate will be awarded upon completion of the program
    – For any questions about the Program or the procedures for completing the application forms, please email: Enquiry
    – Please also check: Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ) 

    Ko Zin Thet

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  • Empowering Education: A Tale of Transformation in Kabanjahe

    Empowering Education: A Tale of Transformation in Kabanjahe

    Aygreat, Azura,and Keisha are fifth-grade pupils at the 040451 Public Primary School in Kabanjahe Regency, North Sumatra.

    Kabanjahe is the capital city of Karo. It is about 24 kilometers from Sinabung Volcano, which  erupted in the last several years. The regency significantly produces vegetables, potatoes, chilies, and oranges, famously known as Medan orange.

    They are enthusiastic to begin their daily learning activities because the teacher adopts a creative learning process. The daily cool temperature on the highland is also helpful to create a pleasant learning mood.

    Their homeroom teacher is Mrs. Tabitha. She always creates an interactive and creative learning environment so that the pupils never feel bored during the teaching and learning activities because their teacher always involves all of them in the activity. Beyond classroom instruction, outdoor sports and activities enhance their overall learning experience.

    The school has implemented a special program to foster a love for reading among its students. Every week, they gather for “Glowing Wednesday” to read together. Additionally, the school provides a Reading Corner to encourage independent reading, with each class having its dedicated space stocked with a variety of books. This corner is a favorite among the students. The corner is one of the most favorite places for the pupils.

    The collaborative efforts between the school and the Tanoto Foundation, through its PINTAR Program (meaning “brilliant” in Indonesian), have transformed the teaching and learning environment. With around 250,000 schools in Indonesia, improving their quality is a significant challenge. The Foundation works closely with partner schools to establish local and regional centers of excellence. It collaborates with government institutions, teacher training institutes, and associations to share best practices and offer training for principals and teachers to enhance teaching quality and school management.

    Furthermore, the Foundation’s investments extend to enhancing the physical infrastructure of partner schools, which includes the development of libraries. These efforts have yielded remarkable achievements for Kabanjahe School. In 2018, the school garnered recognition as the provincial Adiwiyata or Green School Program’s runner-up and also clinched a second runner-up award in the Education Character Strengthening program.

    Thanks to the collaboration with the Tanoto Foundation, the school has reached an increasing quality of teaching-learning activities. An attractive learning atmosphere makes pupils more enthusiastic, and the learning process becomes more effective. Besides classroom learning, the school also presented various special programs, such as the program to step up pupils’ reading habits using a collective system involving the teachers.

    Tanoto Foundation began the partnership with Karo Regency in 2018, with 24 schools as partners and 32 teachers as facilitators in the five-year-long education program.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=qg557BIAQOA%3Fsi%3Dc6_oddd1NpjFOXb3

    Ko Zin Thet

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  • Tanoto Foundation Collaborates with Asia Philanthropy Circle on Early Childhood Development Study

    Tanoto Foundation Collaborates with Asia Philanthropy Circle on Early Childhood Development Study

    Singapore, 6 July 2023: Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) has today released the results of its Regional Early Childhood Development (ECD) Landscape Study. The study is the first of its kind and is the most comprehensive mapping to date of parenting and early childhood programmes across Asia, with a particular focus on China, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.

    The study was conducted by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and supported by Tanoto Foundation and other APC members and philanthropists in the region.

    The findings of the study show that across all four countries, there has been a clear increase in government commitment to provide holistic support to children, families, and communities. This is evidenced by existing policies and legislation, as well as significant investments into healthcare and early education. However, the study also indicates that, while national policies exist, there are significant challenges to their local implementation, including the lack of sustainable financing, capacity, and knowledge in the sector, as well as other socio-economic and cultural barriers.

    “Early childhood is a crucial time for development that will have far-reaching impacts later in life. We wanted to fund this research to better understand the needs of ECD systems in these countries. The objectives of this research are aligned with our own efforts to catalyse support for initiatives that promote quality early childhood development across the region,” said Belinda Tanoto, Member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation.

    Tanoto Foundation, which was founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto, was the first organisaton to approach APC to propose a regional study to better understand the gaps and identify potential areas for collaboration in the ECD area.

    “Philanthropists across the region, including many of APC’s members, are already doing so much work around early childhood, but understanding the landscape enables everyone to be more strategic in their programming,” said Stacey Choe, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Philanthropy Circle. “This research helps the philanthropy sector drill down on what’s not being addressed, and find areas where we can work together to create greater impact.”

    Part of the study’s aim is to guide donors, service providers, government agencies, and other key stakeholders towards these gaps that require further intervention, and to provide recommendations where sectors could collaborate to strengthen and improve outcomes in the region.

    “Without a clear understanding of the current situation across a country or region, stakeholders often work in fragmented or disjointed ways, doubling efforts or investing in programmes that do not best meet the needs of the population,” said Dr. Gayatri Kembhavi-Tam, Associate Director, CEI, who led the study.

    Early childhood development lays the foundation for a child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being, and is a strong predictor of long-term development. Recent evidence shows that giving children the best start in life requires access to comprehensive programmes and services between birth and six years that address their health and developmental needs, including early education. Some of the common gaps across the region that have emerged that require further attention include:

    • Paradoxical “double burden” of malnutrition and obesity. Malnutrition and stunting cases in Indonesia and the Philippines are still high, while there is a rise in number of overweight and obese children across all four countries. This points to a potential lack of access to information for caregivers on the right nutrition and healthy food.
    • Inequity in access to health services for some populations, due to financial restrictions, or availability of services such as for rural areas, and the shortage of trained professionals.
    • Lack of attention on the home learning environment, and to the role of fathers. Both factors have critical impact on ECD.
    • Lack of capacity in the ECD sector. There is a need to train, retain, and recognise those in the ECD workforce -such as healthcare providers, teachers, and social workers – in order to improve the quality of services and support they can provide to families.
    • Lack of reliable, national-level data and research to support evidence-based decision-making. There is a need to support and recognise research and data collection to better understand community needs, what programmes are working, in order to make better policies and decisions.
    • Lack of coordination among actors. There is a need to convene policymakers, NGOs, funders, service providers and community members to improve implementation of policies and initiatives.

    The study, which took place over the course of a year in 2022, examined a total of 276 programmes, 145 national and sub-national policies related to ECD across all four countries. In addition, CEI also interviewed 52 stakeholders from government, academia, and non-governmental and philanthropic organizations.

    The study is the product of a joint regional collaboration led by APC in partnership with CEI and the Centre for Holistic Initiatives for Learning and Development (CHILD), and supported by 11 APC members and philanthropic organisations across the region, including Tanoto Foundation, the Ayala Foundation (Philippines), Bakti Barito Foundation (Indonesia), Djarum Foundation (Indonesia), Knowledge Channel Foundation (Philippines), IshK Tolaram Foundation (Indonesia), Li Foundation (Singapore), Nomura (Singapore), Quantedge Advancement Initiative (Singapore), Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (Philippines) and Zuellig Family Foundation (Philippines).

    Ko Zin Thet