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November 28, 2013

The Power of Culture in Sustainable Development , Bali, Indonesia

The Power of Culture in Sustainable Development 24 - 27 November 2013, Bali, Indonesia

 World Culture Forum , The President Welcome speech
I extend a warm invitation to delegates from all corners of the world to gather in Bali during November, 2013, and actively participate in the World Culture Forum.
The first decade of the 21st century has witnessed fluctuating global growth and fortunes, conflicts and new geopolitical formations. These strategic changes demand that culture in all its manifestations be championed as an indispensable agent of change and reconciliation in the face of unprecedented globalisation.
In the opening address to the debate in the UN General Assembly on 12 June this year, I underlined that ‘the significance of the nexus between culture and development for the post-2015 Agenda is not yet fully grasped’. The World Culture Forum presents a space to address this urgent need promoting cultural democracy as an empowering tool.
Indonesia, one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world, is initiating the World Culture Forum as an inclusive and strategic platform for discussing, debating, understanding and promoting the power of culture in sustainable development.
It gives me great pleasure to invite Heads of State, Nobel Laureates, Ministers of Culture, top experts, senior policy-makers, NGOs, cultural practitioners and other stakeholders to this significant global gathering.
I look forward to welcoming you to Bali.

DR. H. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO
President, Republic of Indonesia

No progress without strong culture: WCF ( World Culture Forum ) November 24 - 27 , Bali Indonesia .

by Fikri Zaki Muhammadi on 2013-11-26
 President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono together with assistant director general of UNESCO Francesco Bandarin (second from right) officially open the World Culture Forum (WCF) in Nusa Dua by hitting the kulkul (Balinese traditional wooden percussion) on Monday. The event has drawn 17 culture ministers and thousands of participants. BD/Zul Trio Anggono

The first World Culture Forum (WCF) kicked off Monday in Nusa Dua, with a unanimous belief from participating countries that culture is an important factor in social inclusion and poverty eradication.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially opened the forum, which aims to bring ideas to include culture in the post-2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, by hitting the kulkul, a traditional Balinese wooden percussion instrument.

“This World Culture Forum is designed to complement and strengthen existing initiatives, including those under the framework of UNESCO,” Yudhoyono said in his speech. “Indonesia also hopes that by engaging a wide range of stakeholders, this forum will contribute to collaborative development of
culture.”

Yudhoyono said that the international community had recognized the significance of culture in achieving equitable, inclusive and sustainable development, proven by intergovernmental processes at the UN.

He mentioned a landmark resolution in 2011 as an example, when UN members acknowledged that culture was an essential component of human development.

“Recognition can also be seen in the outcome documents of the Rio+20 Conference, which underscore that all cultures and civilizations can contribute to sustainable development,” the President said.

He also expressed his hope that this forum could be convened regularly.

According to a UN report, Yudhoyono said, cultural and creative industries represented one of the most rapidly expanding sectors in the global economy. In Asia, they accounted for 9.7 growth rate, while reaching 13.9 percent and 17.6 percent respectively in Africa and the Middle East.

Indonesian Education and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh said that the two-day conference would result in what would be called the “Bali Promise”.

UNESCO director general Irina Bokova, who delivered a message by video, said that the world needed new approaches to development that enhanced human rights and dignity in harmony with the planet and were meaningful for everyone.

“Culture is who we are. It shapes what we do and how we see the world. It is also a force for dialogue, for building bridges of respect and mutual understanding between people and communities,” she said.

“There can be no full ownership, no full participation of development strategies without the full integration of culture,” Irina said.


Meanwhile, noted CNN columnist and writer Fareed Zakaria, mentioned a book that explained why certain economies succeeded and why others did not.

“If you want to succeed economically in the modern world, be Jewish, be Indian, but above all, be Chinese,” he quoted the book as saying.

Zakaria explained that the Chinese culture had all the key ingredients to economic success. In 1979, Deng Xiaoping transformed China and made economic policies and political decisions that were important.

“But one thing he did not change, I assume, was China’s thousands of years of culture. That was what seemed to produce the economic miracle in modern China,” Zakaria said, adding that the same had
happened in India.

Amartya Sen, who won the Nobel Prize in economic sciences in 1998, also delivered a speech during the first day of the conference. A keynote forum of cultural ministries from 17 countries also took place on Monday.

Six symposiums by cultural observers from around the globe will take place on Tuesday, covering issues on — among other things — approaches to culture in development, civil society and cultural democracy and interfaith dialog.


November 17, 2013

Bali serves as a reference for global spa industries

Bali serves as a reference for global spa industries

by Wasti Atmodjo on 2013-11-16
Spa industries and  patrons across the world have started turning to Bali for its treatment techniques and traditional ingredients.

Lulu S Widjaja, an adviser with the Bali Spa and Wellness Association (BSWA), said that the island’s spa’s had earned wider recognition from the local and international market, with rising interest from upscale customers that considered spa treatments vital.

“Bali is one of the world’s best spa destinations, thanks to its traditional massage techniques and local ingredients. Customers worldwide have acknowledged the expertise of Balinese spa therapists.” Lulu said.

The island had not only seen an increasing demand for spa products for export but also had received a rising amount of requests for local spa therapists to carry out training worldwide, she added.

The thriving spa industry has also motivated spa establishments in Bali to innovate by combining traditional and modern techniques, as well as create more convenient and relaxing atmospheres in spas.

In addition to indoor spas, many businesses on the island now offer treatments in open spaces, such as on the seaside, by the river or amid rice fields.

It is not surprising that spas in Bali have been frequently nominated and have even won spa awards, including the ongoing Asia Spa Award, whose winners would be announced this week.

“Almost every year, Balinese spas receive awards in various categories, including the businesses and therapists. The nominees of this Asia Spa Award are BSWA members,” Lulu said.

Tjokorda Oka Arta Ardana Sukawati, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), appreciated that the BSWA — as a sub-organization of PHRI — had greatly contributed to promoting the island as a spa destination.

“We’re proud that Bali has been a reference for spa industries worldwide, thanks to the quality and characteristics of spa products and therapists,” he said.

During the last several years, spas have been one of Bali’s main tourism products, with a wide range, from low-cost spas to expensive treatments in luxury hotels and resorts.

“Almost all hotels in Bali now offer spa treatments targeting all levels of customers,” he said.

“A wide field of spa businesses, including equipment, ingredients and therapists, has significantly contributed to the local economy by providing job opportunities and developing local enterprises.”

Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Tourism Business Association, echoed similar sentiments, saying that spa treatments in Bali were undoubtedly excellent.

“Spas are a part of special-interest tourism, which has its own captive market,” said Wijaya, one of the policymakers in the newly established Bali Tourism Promotion Board, adding that the board would promote spas as a creative tourist activity.


Source : Bali Daily 

November 13, 2013

Pandawa Beach, secret beach , a new haven for tourists in Bali

Apart from its unique culture, Bali is also quite renowned for its natural beauty. So, no wonder if natural attractions in this paradise island such as beaches are used to attract many tourists. Some beaches in Bali have been becoming a favorite haven for tourists like Kuta, Sanur, Dreamland, and other beaches. That list will probably be added by a new member because recently, a new amazing beach has been opened and quickly become a  favorite haven for everyone. This beach is called Pandawa Beach. Have you heard it before? Maybe for some of you it is still unfamiliar, but once you know it you will be eager to visit it. 



On the sunny day, Nov 12th. 2013, Ms. Virginie Tutin Sandstrom, the General Manager of Harris Resort Kuta ,  led the Harris Resort  Kuta  Outing program 2013 on the  Pandawa Beach. and it was participated by around 130 Hotel Harris Kuta staffs. They looked very cheerful and excited as they were having fun time on the Pandawa beach

             

Pandawa Beach in Bali is frequently called the Virgin of South of Bali, because the beach is very natural and seawater is very clean. Pandawa beach is located in Kutuh Village District, South Kuta, Badung Regency, 3 km from Nusa Dua tourism areas and Uluwatu Temple. It is approximately 30 minutes drive (without traffic jam) from Ngurah Rai International Airport . Pandawa beach itself is equipped with food and drink stalls for tourists. One of the marine sport activities done here is paragliding. Pandawa Beach name is taken from the puppet characters. Every year its shores serve as a place to do the Melasti Ceremony. On the way to the beach there are statues of the five Pandawa puppet characters, and serves as one of the main attractions for tourists as well.


Since this beach was hidden behind hill so it was called Secret Beach. Secret Beach actually had known well by some tourists. However, the difficult access to this location made this beach was empty. The visitors of this beach were only a few foreign surfers or domestic tourists. Fortunately, the local government of Badung Regency realized the potential of this beach and quickly managed this beach then launched it as a new mainstay attraction. The result can now be felt such as a better access heading to the beach which is now become more convenient for any vehicles.

Pandawa Beach has a stunning panorama with serene and quiet atmosphere. When entering the beach area, we will be amazed by beautiful panorama of high cliff, flanking the road along 1.5 km. The road is purposively built through limestone hills in Kutuh Village, similar with the hills in GWK. Approaching the beach, these limestone hills are holed and carved artistically. In these holes, statues of Pandawa characters from Mahabaratha story are placed, such as Yudhistira / Dharmawangsa, Bima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadewa. Therefore, this beach is called Pandawa Beach.

When entering the area of Pandawa Beach, you will be madae astonished by beautiful view in front of you. The sand in this beach is so white and clean which is combined with a background of turquoise sea. The ambience is still quiet, serene, and clean. There are no garbages, and if there is any, those are only the remains of seaweed brought by the wave. This beach is very suitable for swimming because the wave and current is not so strong. Various activities can be done in this beach for example playing sand or sunbathing. Because of its geographical location in the east of Bali Island, we can see the amazing sunrise panorama in this beach. 


In addition, we can also observe the activities of the seaweed farmers along the coast directly. Because of its shallow contour and short wave, Pandawa Beach is very suitable for cultivating seaweed. No wonder if lot of the local residents choose to be seaweed farmers.

Besides that, there is also an interesting recreation activity around this area which is called paragliding. If the weather is fine and the wind is quite strong, you can see or try this activity directly. The location for starting this activity is actually not in Pandawa Beach, but in Timbis Hill which is not too far from this beach. Usually, this paragliding activity is done in day or afternoon time, if the weather meets the requirements. While you are paragliding, you will be able to see the true beauty of Pandawa Beach from the height. Don’t worry if you are a newbie or even a first-timer, because a training centre and instructors are available if needed. If you are interested in trying paragliding, you can go to Timbis Hill which is only a few kilometers away from Pandawa Beach.

Interested to visit this beach? For visiting Pandawa Beach, you can go from Denpasar/Kuta taking the route for Uluwatu through Jalan Raya Uluwatu until passing Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK). After about 1 km passing GWK, you will find a crossroad. Turn left to the route for Nusa Dua/Bali Cliff. Around 2 km ahead, you will find a T-junction with direction sign for Pandawa Beach on the left side of the road. Just follow the sign until you come to a crossroad again. Pandawa Beach is already near from here. Just turn right on the crossroad and follow the road until you arrive in Pandawa Beach.