Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Indonesia Are Left in Limbo
Refugees and asylum seekers in Indonesia have fled their home countries because of terror and war, but are left in limbo as they are waiting to be resettled. His voice was soft at first and grew more passionate and determined with every line he recited: Abdul Samad Haidari, a former Afghan freelance journalist and poet,
My Favourite Prayer
Whether you are a believer or not, this is a lovely prayer: “God give me the courage to change the things I can change, the patience to accept the things I can’t change and the wisdom to know the difference”. So here we are in Indonesia, in its extraordinary capital city Jakarta, and we have
Where Grace and Beauty Meet
For one week, the finalists of the Puteri Indonesia 2017 pageant called the Sultan Hotel & Residence their home, as they went through rounds of activities that culminated with the crowning night on 31 March – an unforgettable memory for the young women as well as their hosts at the five-star hotel. “We are very
AWA Hosts Business Skills Training for University Students
AWA’s Social Welfare committee hosted its “Community Day” activity with the launch of a one-day business skills training course for sponsored university students in April. Social Welfare Chairperson Nicole Thompson said that, according to feedback from Indonesian employers, many students lack the basic skills that would allow them to qualify for and succeed in job interviews
An Interview with H.E. Jean-Charles Berthonnet, The Ambassador of France to Indonesia
Ambassador Jean-Charles Berthonnet arrived in Indonesia in October last year, but even though he is still relatively new to the country, the veteran diplomat has a lot on his plate already – especially since Indonesia and France have agreed on plenty of new projects as the result of French President Francois Hollande’s visit to Jakarta
How to Help A Stray Pet
Many dogs and cats out there may have homes and doting owners, but not stray dogs and cats, who often live in ill-fated environments, suffering from diseases and cruelty. Thanks to a few caring hearts, action is being taken to provide them with veterinary care and a loving touch. But as the number of stray
CEO of Aryaduta Hotel Group Anthony Ross Shooting for the Moon
It didn’t take long for Aryaduta Hotel Group CEO Anthony Ross to hit the ground running. Upon his appointment in February 2016, Ross immediately took to work introducing an ambitious plan to rebrand Aryaduta’s image and business strategy to get it up to speed to attract new markets including millennials. As the group actively expands
French Disconnection
I was 18 years old when I went to what is quaintly known in England as “the Continent” for the first time. “The Continent” means mainland Europe, and the part of it I went to was Calais, France. I was so excited about my first trip “abroad” that I could hardly sleep the night before.
Jakarta A Liveable City In The Future?
Having fallen prey to my third cold of the year made me recall a recent conversation on air quality in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and London, and so on. While the major cities of China have some of the worst air pollution in the world, that in Jakarta is well above accepted world
Moving Forward on Jakarta’s 490th Anniversary
In its 490 years of existence, Jakarta has gone through a lot. Just like any other birthdays, its anniversary calls for not only celebrations, but also a reflection on milestones and moments that have passed. Some key inflection points, as discussed below, mark high moments in the current period of transition. Looking ahead, here’s hoping
Jakarta Through The Eyes Of Its Residents
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Jakarta? Ask 100 different people, and you will surely receive 100 different answers. Jakarta, to some, is a city of hope, a place where they strive to make their dreams come true. Others feel that life in Jakarta is too exhausting,
An Interview with Rami Hajjar, Country Manager for Philips Lighting Indonesia
Rami Hajjar, the newly appointed Country Manager for Philips Lighting Indonesia, only arrived in Jakarta in March but already feels at home in the big Durian. Originally from Lebanon, Rami studied in Beirut and Paris and worked in different fields before moving to Dubai where he joined Philips in 2010. For the last
An Interview with H.E. Kyle O’Sullivan Ambassador of Ireland to Indonesia
Ambassador Kyle O’Sullivan came to Asia for the first time in 1988, when he worked in Hong Kong and later in Beijing for a couple of years. After short stints in Dublin and spending some time in the Middle East on various jobs, his first Ambassador post saw him relocate to Nigeria, West Africa. When
