Fostering Work Efficiency Through Design
Working in a well-designed office can boost efficiency and creativity. Gert Borrits, President Director of Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos, took this observation to heart when his company moved from Pulo Gadung to a new space in Halim in 2014. Together with Indonesian designer Ayu Sawitri Joddy, Gert realized his dream of creating a workspace that

Building Bridges Towards a Cullture of Peace
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and International Peace Foundation (IPF) Chairman Uwe Morawetz officially introduced the upcoming event series “Bridges – Dialogues towards a Culture of Peace” in October. The event, already in its sixth edition and a cooperation between ASEAN and IPF, will be held from January to March 2017. It will feature seven

Alistair Speirs: My Journey to Work
NOW! Jakarta begins a groundbreaking series called “My Journey to Work” which will combine a real look at the city’s arteries but also help the Jakarta City Government realise that almost every commuter suffers from a myriad of small but solvable problems on their journey every day. Jakarta commuters are not stupid, they are long

An Interview with H.E. Johanna Brismar Skoog Ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia
The charming Johanna Brismar Skoog recently took the time to meet NOW! Jakarta for an interview, during which she spoke about Sweden-Indonesia relations, her first 2 1/2 years in Jakarta, and what can be done in order to follow in Sweden’s footsteps when it comes to gender equality. Jakarta was your first post as Ambassador.

An Interview with H.E. Paivi Hiltunen-Toivio Ambassador of Finland to Indonesia
From enchanting winter wonderlands to never-ending summer days – Finland’s scenic beauty is beyond description all year around. The Finnish Embassy in Indonesia was established in 1974, but the relationship between the two countries can actually be traced back as far as the 1920s. We spoke with H.E. Päivi Hiltunen-Toivio, who is now entering her

Green Urban Living in Scandinavia
Half of the world’s inhabitants – 3.6 billion people – live in urban areas. People move to cities in search of a better life and fortune, turning them into colourful melting pots. But to ensure that cities remain livable for its inhabitants and to accommodate the constantly rising number of newly arriving urban dwellers, strategic

An Interview with H.E. Stig Traavik, Ambassador of Norway to Indonesia
The Norwegian Government is already amongst Indonesia’s strongest supporters in the fight against climate change and the work for forestry protection but now they are adding the whole maritime sector to their areas of interest so they cover both the “green” and “blue” economies. Alistair Speirs has the pleasure of speaking to the highly committed

POP! Hotel Malioboro Celebrates Second Anniversary with CSR Activities
On October 28, coinciding with National Youth Pledge Day, POP! Hotel Malioboro Yogyakarta celebrated its second anniversary. Hotel Manager Melyssa Cataleya Evand organized a series of CSR activities for the hotel’s anniversary celebrations. In accordance with the hotel brand’s eco-friendly concept, branded green bags were distributed at some of the city’s main tourist sites, such

The Age of Technology
Welcome to 2017, a brand new year and another step in the great advance towards the era of technological dependence. That sounds a bit negative, doesn’t it? After all, these advances in technology are a huge benefit to mankind, are they not? Don’t they greatly enhance our lives, making them more efficient, more worthwhile, somehow

The Best Restaurants in Jakarta and Bali
One of the great things about being in the media business is the fact that it brings me into contact with professionals in so many fields: airlines, taxis, hotels, retail, schools, apartments, art and culture, and of course restaurants! Food is such a pervasive element in our lives (being rather essential to our health and

Ciputra Receives Maecenas FTI Award
The 2016 Indonesia Theater Federation Awards Night was held successfully on 26 December at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta. This annual event has entered its 11th anniversary organized by Indonesia Theater Federation (FTI) as an institution that consistently pays attention to the development of modern theatre in the country which builds awareness of the

A Newcomer in the Capital
Earlier last month, Casa Domaine apartment marked the completion of its construction through a topping off ceremony that was attended by developers and numerous media representatives. Casa Domaine is an alliance project from three leading property developers in Indonesia; Lyman Group, Kerry Group Hongkong and Salim Group. Located on a property spanning over 1,2 hectares,

Enjoying Life at Lavish Kemang Residence
Lavish Kemang Residence aptly interprets the concept of modern living with five-star service and luxurious facilities, offering the very best urban living experience in South Jakarta. Both the Service Apartment Tower and Residential Tower stand tall on a spacious residential area that covers 13,521 square metres, with each building sporting its own distinctive touch. At