The UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Jakarta in collaboration with the Bank of Indonesia and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) organized the Indonesia launch of the the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2013 at Bank Indonesia today, part of a simultaneous launch in 37 locations around the world. The Indonesia launch included the participation of Members of Parliament, the diplomatic community, economists, and the media.

The launch of the survey was marked by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Katinka Weinberger, Director of the Centre for the Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture representing UN ESCAP, Mr. Dody Budi Waluyo, Executive Director of Monetary Policy of the Bank of Indonesia, and Dr. Andrianus Mooy, former Governor of the Bank of Indonesia and former Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

 "In quantity, the region is capable of overcoming the crisis, shown by its fast recovery," Dr. Mooy said, pointing out however that "global volatility still exists." He emphasized the need for increased attention -- both in Indonesia and in the region a a whole -- to the quality of economic growth rather than the "quantity."

On behalf of UN ESCAP, Dr. Katinka Weinberger emphasized on the importance of implementing forward-looking macroeconomics policies for inclusive and sustainable development. "There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in macroeconomic policymaking to focus on its developmental role, which has been overshadowed by emphasis on debt and inflation control over the past three decades," she said.

Addressing the issue of how central banks can promote sustainable economic growth Mr. Dody Budi Waluyo stated that "there is a growing need for a new development agenda which focuses on improving efficiency, fostering innovation, and developing human capital." Moderating the discussion was UNIC Jakarta Director, Mr. Michele Zaccheo.

Over the course of two days, a workshop was held in Jakarta between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations to review conflict prevention throughout Southeast Asia with a view to identifying and following-up on joint activities between ASEAN and the UN.

Senior UN Officials, Government Officials from ASEAN countries and ASEAN strategic experts worked together, exploring opportunities to increase cooperation in conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy. The Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh opened the session "Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy" along with Deputy-Secretary-General Vijay Nambiar who asserted that the UN was ready to support ASEAN in promoting peace and stability in the region. Mr. Nambiar added his hope that "government officials and experts who have come together may identify concrete steps towards preventative diplomacy and conflict prevention in the region.

The initiative marks a valuable contribution to the Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations agreed upon by the 2011 Summit in Bali. The Partnership provides a solid foundation for strengthening the ASEAN-UN relationship through political-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation as well as collaboration between ASEAN and the UN Secretariat. 

The UN Information Centre Jakarta provided media support the the workshop.

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Jakarta and Budi Luhur University (UBL) agreed to continue and enhance their collaboration to promote a better understanding of the work of the United Nations in Indonesia.  The pledge took place at Budi Luhur University in West Jakarta the presence of the Rector, Prof. Ir. Suryo Hapsoro Tri Utomo, Ph.D, together with the university’s programme directors and the deans of faculties, and representatives of the UN in Indonesia.

In an exchange of remarks prior to signing the letter of agreement to extend and broaden the cooperation framework, Prof. Suryo stated his hopes that the agreement would open a window of opportunity for the University to contribute positively towards global development and UN initiatives such as the MY World citizen survey.  “The MY World survey is one of the means that the university can undertake to contribute to global development,” Prof. Suryo said.

UNIC Jakarta’s Director Michele Zaccheo expressed his gratitude for Budi Luhur University’s on-going support for UN information campaigns. “Years from now, when the achievements of the new development agenda will become history, you will be able to say ‘I was there, I marked a difference,’” Mr. Zaccheo said.

The agreement highlighted the extension of the partnership first established on 17 March 2011, which lead to the University’s participation in the UN Secretary-General’s Academic Impact initiative, the creation of a “UN Corner” on the Budi Luhur campus in West Jakarta and a series of lectures organized by UNIC Jakarta at the University during the “UN for You (UN4U)” campaign in 2011 and 2012.

Also highlighted in the agreement is the participation of the university in promoting the MY World 2015 global survey both on campus and through its community programs in remote areas.

As of today, some 14 percent of Indonesia’s respondents to the survey have been mobilized  by the university’s campus promotion drive of the survey on Monday (25/3) initiated by the students who had previously attended the national launch of the MY World 2015 global survey at UNIC Jakarta last week (21/3).

Preliminary results of the survey shows that a good education – which is already the top priority voted by respondents in Indonesia – as the top priority for respondents at the university, followed by better job opportunities, an honest and responsive government, better healthcare, protection against crime and violence, and better transport and roads.  

- by Ronald Roger Rohrohmana

The launch of My World Survey with Radio Republic Indonesia- RRI. (Left to Right: UNIC Director Michele Zaccheo; UN Resident Coordinator Mr Douglas Broderick; Special Envoy of the President of Indonesia on the Millennium Development Goals HE Ms Nina F. Moeloek and President Director of RRI Ms Niken Widiastuti)

A vigorous push in the promotion of MY World Survey was given yesterday when the United Nations and the national broadcaster Radio Republic Indonesia (RRI), jointly launched the survey in the presence of the President of Indonesia’s Special Envoy on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Indonesian youth representatives. The launch was broadcasted live from the UN premises in Jakarta across the entire Indonesian archipelago.

The survey enables citizens from all over the world to help shape the future global development agenda, by allowing them to vote on issues they believe are priorities which should be addressed by world leaders.  Furthermore, it seeks to build on the momentum generated by the anti-poverty targets known as the MDGs, tackling new challenges beyond the 2015 MDGs deadline.

Thousands from 189 countries have already voted during an initial roll-out period, and preliminary results show that education is the issue that people think is most important for improving their lives. An honest and responsive government, health, water, sanitation and job and food security have also been considered major priorities. In Indonesia, an initial sampling shows that education, an honest and responsive government, health, water, protection against crimes and jobs rank as the top concerns for respondents so far.

Speaking at the launch in Jakarta, UN Resident Coordinator, Douglas Broderick, said that partnerships with government, civil societies, corporations, and within the UN system would play an important role in ensuring open and inclusive participation in the Post-2015 process. “Indonesia’s voices are crucial in this debate because the world is looking for answers on how to move forward with the MDGs and new challenges post-2015,” Mr. Broderick said.

“With some 80 radio stations across the Indonesian archipelago, RRI’s support in launching the ‘MY World’ survey is crucial, and can serve as a catalyst for partner participation in Indonesia” said UNIC Jakarta’s Director, Michele Zaccheo. Partnership in the ‘MY World’ survey is open to all and freely available online. Some 40 organizations in Indonesia have registered as ‘MY World’ partners so far, including Indonesia Future Leaders (IFL) whose representative, Jessica Angkasa, underscored how the survey is a useful tool for young people to voice their concerns.