"We want to assure that the value of the educational partnership is sustained."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - East Java officials and Peace Corps Indonesia hosted a sustainability workshop in Malang last week involving Peace Corps Volunteers, host principals, and counterpart teachers, the US Embassy here said in its official website on Wednesday.
The goal was to ensure that progress in English teaching and learning as a result of the collaboration between the Volunteers and Indonesian counterparts at host schools does not diminish when the Volunteers have completed service in June.
Saut Siringoringo of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs said that the issue of sustainability is first and foremost in the minds of his Indonesia colleagues.
"While we highly appreciate the people-to-people contact that is made possible through Peace Corps, we want to assure that the value of the educational partnership is sustained. Both parties need to assure that what Volunteers and counterparts achieve lasts beyond the two years of service of the Volunteers," he said.
As part of the workshop which was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, the principal, counterpart teacher and Volunteer from each school developed a sustainability plan for the last three months of Volunteer service and beyond.
The larger group also discussed a number of successful collaborative efforts such a listening resource project, the creative use of computers as a teaching and learning tool, innovative student clubs, and girls empowerment camps.
In addition to the Coordinating Ministry, national officials included Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Immigration. East Java was represented by its Cooperation Assistance Bureau, Education and Culture, Religious Affairs and Immigration.
Peace Corps staff and Volunteers expressed their deep appreciation for the close working relations with their principals and fellow teachers as well as the support of Indonesian officials.
The 20 Volunteers who attended the workshop are the second batch to serve in Indonesia since the program re-opened in 2010. There are currently 66 Peace Corps Volunteers serving in East and West Java. A new group of 54 Volunteers arrives in April.
The idea for a sustainability workshop was first proposed by members of the Republic of Indonesia steering committee that oversees the Peace Corps program chaired by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).
Such workshops are a unique feature of the Indonesian program among 76 Peace Corps countries around the world.
The workshop coincided with Peace Corps Week, an annual celebration of Peace Corps impact in the 139 countries around the world where Volunteers have served over the past 52 years.
Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries.
Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development.
Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency`s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries.
(Tx.A014/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
