BCA Supports Preservation of Indonesia’s Cultural Diversity

Jakarta, 17 July 2019 – As a culturally diverse nation, seen in all different parts of the country, we must to lay the groundwork for mutual appreciation and intercultural respect in order to create a conducive environment for the growth and sustainable development of the Indonesian people. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) stated its commitment to continue support various dialogue activities in order to preserve our culture and promote multicultural appreciation and respect to the people.

BCA realizes its commitment by supporting the Nusantara Cultural Dialogue and Anugerah Nusantara Award, organized by Nusantara Institute and Nusantara Kita Foundation in Jakarta, on Wednesday (17/07). Attending the event was Commissioner of BCA Sumantri Slamet, Director of BCA Santoso together with the Founder and Director of Nusantara Institute Sumanto Al Qurtuby, Chiefperson of Nusantara Kita Foundation Ida Widyastuti, accompanied by Executive Vice President of CSR of BCA Inge Setiawati and Vice President of CSR of BCA Ira Bachtar. Also attending as keynote speakers was Ida Rsi Wisesanatha, Prof Dr Ahmad Syafii Maarif, and Romo Prof. Dr. Franz Magnis-Suseno.

Meanwhile, Santoso said that preservation and respect of Indonesia’s diverse culture is indispensable considering it is the world’s biggest island nation. With over 17,499 islands, Indonesia is home to numerous ethnic groups, cultures, languages, religions and faiths. Preservation efforts should continue to maintain the cultural richness so as to become a treasure that strengthens Indonesia’s cultural identity on international stage. Meanwhile, cultural dialogues encourage the creation of a conducive situation so that, in turn, such differences and diversities may become the glue that binds Indonesia’s sustainable development.

Sumanto Al Qurtuby said that the activity was a part of the commitment and moral-intellectual responsibility as Indonesian to participate in maintaining, caring for, fighting for, and preserving the numerous Indonesian traditions and cultures. “Activities like this should continue, especially now with the emerging of various primordial-sectarian groups, who no longer care and antipathetic to Indonesia’s diverse traditions and cultures.”

“Support for cultural dialogues such as those demonstrated by BCA is a series of commitments that have been made by BCA in various regions. Under the Bakti BCA program, various activities have turned local culture into a new creative industry that provides sustainable benefits to local communities in various regions,” said Santoso.

On the same occasion, BCA gave awards to cultural advocates across all domains, academic and non-academic achievements alike, who have consistently made the efforts to preserve Indonesian culture. The awards are divided into two groups namely Nusantara Academic Award and Waskita Nusantara Award. Nusantara Academic Award recognizes academic doctoral dissertation and master thesis that focuses on Indonesia’s cultural diversity, meanwhile Waskita Nusantara Award is a non-academic award given to individuals active in preserving the Indonesian culture. In 2019, Badrus Shaleh and Siti Mariatul Kiptiyah were awarded with the Nusantara Academic Award while the Waskita Nusantara Award was given to Goenawan Agoeng Sambodo.

Inge added that the Bakti BCA assisted villages serves as an effort to build national resilience based on local potential and culture that strengthens local communities. The program was then developed adjusting to the growing trend of ecotourism, which has been aggressively promoted by the Indonesian government. BCA has been consistently assisted these tourism villages, including the community of Goa Pindul, Pentingsari Village, Tamansari Village, Wukirsari Village, Gemah Sumilir Village, Tinggan Village, the community of Emprit Ginger Farmers in Pemalang and Jepara, as well as Bukit Peramun Tourism Village & Aik Rusa’ Berehun in Belitung.

“As a national private bank, BCA carries a responsibility to contribute to economic resilience of the local community, which is rich in culture and traditions and is also multicultural. The economic resilience of BCA’s assisted villages is the foundation to mitigate social risks and strengthen cross-cultural relationships,” Santoso concluded.

BCA Supports Preservation of Indonesia’s Cultural Diversity – Commissioner of BCA Sumantri Slamet (right) accompanied by Director of BCA Santoso (second left), Executive Vice President of CSR of BCA Inge Setiawati (left) together with Director of Nusantara Institute Sumanto Al Qurtuby (second right) after handing over the Nusantara Academic Award 2019 at the Nusantara Cultural Dialogue and Anugerah Nusantara Award 2019 in Jakarta, Wednesday (19/07). BCA supports the Nusantara Institute and Nusantara Kita Foundation in organizing Nusantara Cultural Dialogue in order to preserve indonesia’s diverse culture and promote multicultural appreciation and respect to the people.