Tanoto Foundation Supports the Progress to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Indonesia

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