Makassar, Indonesia—UPF-Indonesia brought its national tour on character education to South Sulawesi and East Java provinces and the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Makassar, South Sulawesi Province
The tenth program of the UPF-Indonesia’s national tour was part of a two-day seminar organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs on “Resolving Drug Abuse and Pornography” that took place from November 17 to 18, 2016. The minister of social affairs of Indonesia, Mrs. Khofifah Indraparawansa, had asked UPF to present at the event. Mrs. Ursula McLackland, secretary general of UPF-Asia, spoke on “Building Harmonious Families: Antidote to Drug Abuse and Pornography” in the first session, after the official opening of the seminar. The 200 participants comprised of members of the largest Muslim women’s organization in the country, Muslimat; educators; trainers; social workers; and volunteers involved in drug rehabilitation and other social programs. The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session.
Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province
The next program was held on November 19, 2016 at the Muhammadiyah University of Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, located in the eastern part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The organizing committee was excited to conduct the very first international seminar at the university. The conference hall could not accommodate all the 250 participants comprising of faculty, students and local leaders, and therefore many had to sit on the balcony or stand in the back of the room.
The program included special remarks by Immawan Wilson Sanheinizh, a member of the central board of the IMM (the Muhammadiyah Student Association), East Nusa Tenggara, who oversees international relations for the organization, as well as presentations by Hon. Ismail J. Semau, a member of the provincial parliament of NTT province; Mr. Alfred Forno, secretary general of UPF-Indonesia; and Mrs. Ursula McLackland. After each presentation, the participants were eager to ask many questions.
The event concluded with the presentation of Ambassador for Peace awards and a group photo.
During the photo session, name cards were exchanged and promises were made to meet again. The organizing committee invited the UPF team to the home of one of the members of the IMM for dinner.
Kupang Pos, a local daily newspaper, featured a long article about seminar.
Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Province
In West Nusa Tenggara province, which comprises the western portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, UPF-Indonesia held two events on November 21, 2016. The morning program was hosted by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Muhammadiyah University of Mataram on Lombok Island. UPF signed a memorandum of understanding with the dean of the faculty for further cooperation and appointed him as an Ambassador for Peace.
After lunch, the team traveled across the island to Pancor on the east coast of Lombok, the second program was held, at Hamzanwadi University. Many faculty and students attended the seminar.
Surabaya, East Java Province
The Department of Business English of the University of Surabaya hosted the tour’s program in Surabaya in East Java province. They enthusiastically introduced Mr. Forno as a graduate of their department who achieved great success nationally and internationally. Following Mr. Forno’s presentation, Mrs. McLackland gave the main address. The students expressed a determination to study English well so that they can become global leaders with good character who can contribute to the betterment of society and their nation.