Fathers have a key role to play in helping develop children’s character, shared Woro Srihartuti, ST, MIDS, Deputy for Coordination of Quality Improvement for Children, Women, and Youth at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, in conversation with Eddy Hendry, Head of Policy & Advocacy at Tanoto Foundation, in the latest Unlocking Potential Podcast.
Stimulation in early childhood is important because children’s brain development is at its peak during that period, and helping build character now can prevent undesirable behaviour in future. The government sees this as an urgent matter in drafting the Maternal and Child Welfare Bill (RUU KIA) so that parents understand the importance of early stimulation and character education in raising children.
Tune in to more discussions about stimulation and nurturing in shaping children’s character on the Unlocking Potential podcast; access the episode here:
One of the biggest lessons we have learned from the Covid-19 pandemic is the importance of health. However, many are still neglecting the importance of medical research in Asia, which is critical to improving the health standards in the region.
In the latest episode of the Unlocking Potential podcast, hosted by Global Tanoto Foundation CEO Dr J Satrijo Tanudjojo, we spoke to Professor Chong Yap Seng, the Dean of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on the topics of medical research, education, and philanthropy.
Medical research is critical to studying our local situation
According to Yap Seng, it’s essential that medical research be conducted in the region, rather than relying solely on studies carried out in other parts of the world.
“Most of the research that has been done in medicines and healthcare was done in the West, and when I say the West, I mean the US, Europe, and Australia,” he said.
“The populations, the culture, and even the food are very different from what we have in Asia. It is important to conduct medical research exclusively in Asia, to know how our diets, environment, and cultures affect the health and disease patterns in the region, then come up with solutions that fit the local situation,” he elaborated.
Attracting quality talent for a better public health service
Tanoto Foundation actively supports medical research to better understand Asian prevalent diseases, but another challenge is finding the right talent.
Yap Seng said that it is essential to set a proper benchmark. “When we look for quality talents, we need to compare ourselves with the best countries in the world. It is not enough to look at what’s best in Singapore or Asia. If we’re willing to be frankly honest, that is not enough,” Yap Seng said.
However, he said that Singapore must be aware of the potential to create a brain drain problems in neighboring countries. “We should bring them over here for training, and we should do our best to send them back so that they can contribute to their own countries.
“Another thing that we should learn from the Covid-19 pandemic is that no one is safe until everyone is safe. If we, as Singaporeans, are healthy and safe in our country but our surrounding countries are not in the same state, the problems will come to us,” Yap Seng explained.
Furthermore, Yap Seng and Satrijo also discuss the possibilities for philanthropy organizations like Tanoto Foundation to fill gaps in medical research and other areas like public health education.
The world is changing faster than ever, which makes it vital that the Indonesian state civil apparatus should develop a world-class standard of competencies.
“It is mandatory for each state civil apparatus to improve themselves with appropriate competencies because the Indonesian public deserves to attain service excellence in basic public services such as health, education, and so on,” stated Dr Adi Suryanto Head of the State Administration Agency in Jakarta.
Adi elaborated on his statement in the latest episode of Unlocking Potential podcast hosted by Global Tanoto Foundation CEO Dr J. Satrijo Tanudjojo.
They both discussed the importance of core values and employer branding for state civil apparatus, ASN BerAKHLAK, and ASN Bangga Melayani Bangsa respectively, which were launched by the Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in July 2021.
The BerAKHLAK values are service-oriented, accountable, competent, harmonic, loyal, adaptive, and collaborative.
Strategic Implementation
According to Adi, it is extremely important for all state civil apparatus to internalize the seven core values. Hence the agency has been strategically implementing them into governmental training materials.
“These values have to be the requirement, like it or not, for which all government institutions must apply as a philosophy to govern every civil servant, in acting, behaving, even when providing public service,” said Adi.
He also emphasized the importance of these values in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and in contributing to Indonesia’s ranking in the Government Effectiveness Index.
However, the work is far from finished. Adi states that compared to other countries, Indonesian public service standards are still below their index.
Strategic Partnership
Partnership are also crucial in achieving these goals, whether with other parts of government or with the private sector.
Adi acknowledged the fruitful cooperation of his office with Tanoto Foundation, mainly in training or courses on public policymaking, for instance, the 2020 – 2021 webinar series of Virtual Public Lecture.
“Strategic partnership is one important key for local governments and agencies to move forward and innovate, beyond their bureaucratic challenges,” added Adi.
Listen on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7mzIRmG9fsUZZUJ0I9BWWK?utm_source=generator&theme=0
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About UP
Unlocking Potential is a podcast series proudly presented by the Global Tanoto Foundation CEO Dr. J. Satrijo Tanudjojo, from the Tanoto Foundation. With various contemporary yet strategic topics, the conversation reveals ideas and breakthroughs from prominent guests as their contribution to the future global society.
About TF
Tanoto Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization founded by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto based on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. The Foundation started in 1981 by establishing kindergarten and elementary schools in Besitang, North Sumatra. The programs stem from the belief that quality education accelerates equal opportunity. The Foundation harnesses the transformative strength of education to realize people’s full potential and improve lives.
