ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000548 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/PD, OES/ETC, OES/STC, OES/SAT, OES/PCI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO SENV TPHY TBIO TRGY ID SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JAKARTA 00000548 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: Embassy Jakarta co-hosted a reception on March 14 with National Geographic (NG) and Indonesian television network ANTV at the Ambassador's residence. More than 200 guests from the media, government, civil society, and the private sector attended. The event, titled "Celebrate Indonesia's Natural and Cultural Diversity", thanked NG for its efforts to raise public awareness about the environment and for its contribution to the "Art in Embassies" program; commemorated the first "all-Indonesia" issue of National Geographic magazine; and provided a forum for a diverse group of stakeholders to meet and discuss potential future environmental projects. ANTV and other local print media covered the unique evening, which doubled as both a representational event and a program. End Summary. RECOGNIZING NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC -------------- ¶2. (U) Using a giant version of current March 2008 NG all-Indonesia issue as a backdrop, the event featured a gallery of photographs from the new issue, a live demonstration of Indonesian traditional martial arts and music, NG photographers taking pictures of guests, a looped video presentation of National Geographic Television's "Wild Indonesia" and a special "dessert volcano." The Ambassador and his co-hosts opened the giant issue to reveal a large-scale version NG's newly updated political map of Indonesia. ¶3. (U) Joining Ambassador Hume in commemorating this edition was media mogul Jakob Oetama, whose Gramedia company publishes National Geographic in Indonesian as well as ANTV President-Director Anin Bakrie. Among the VIP and celebrity guests attending were the Hong Kong-based CEO of Star, Ltd., which is ANTV's partner in Asia; Dr. Birute Galdikas, co-founder of the Orangutan Foundation International, which USAID assists and who has appeard twice on the cover of the international editio of "National Geographic";* and over 30 televisio and film stars. A FORUM FOR NEW PARTNERSHIPS -------------- ¶4. (U) Embassy offcers facilitated introductions among the diversegroup of celebrities, activists, government officils, and business representatives in attendance. or many guests, the reception provided an opportnity to meet contacts outside of their usual sphees. Participants discussed environmental projectsranging from a proposed eco-village outside of Jkarta to broader Indonesian and regional priorites such as the Heart of Borneo and Coral Triangle Initiatives. Copies of the new "Art in Embassies"brochure, which included photography from Nationl Geographic featuring images of Indonesia on diplay in the residence, were given to guests. MEIA COVERAGE -------------- ¶5. (U) ANTV's "Topc Paggi" mnj*n* news program on March 15, featured a story about the r`a tion.nesian natural diversity and its importance for Indonesians and thewworld. "Wild Indonesia," a National Geography dou mentary which will be aired on ANTV soon, was asso mentioned as well as the launch of the new Ino*nesian political map inside the March issue. ¶6. (U) On March 16, ANTV's infotainment program "Espresso" ran a feature story on the event, using short interviews from artists and celebrities who attended. The piece showed ANTV President-Director Bakrie on camera, specifically talking about the cooperation between the Embassy, ANTV and National Geography, and their shared common vision. The program was rebroadcast later the same day. ¶7. (U) March 17 coverage in "Kompas," Indonesia's leading national daily newspaper, featured an article on the event. Post anticipates further coverage in several magazines -- all of which is unusual for a private diplomatic event. Comment -------------- ¶8. (U) The event served as an effective follow-up to the recent United Nations COP-13 Climate Change Conference hosted in Bali in December of 2007. It brought together a good cross-section of public and private Embassy partners and key media players, and JAKARTA 00000548 002.2 OF 002 clearly demonstrated the U.S. Government's interest in working together with Indonesia to increase environmental cooperation and partnership. HUME