'Mother and Child’s Week', Indonesian Ambassador Residence, 23 May 2009

"Welfare and protection for mothers and children have always been an important issue for not only government, but for people of Indonesia. It has been wisdom for Indonesian people since the nation acknowledged that the future is lain in her young generation. The hands that sway the cradle are the hands that create the future, and it is mothers! This old saying was being confirmed again by Indonesian Ambassador during the opening of “Mother and Child’s Week” in Indonesian Residence, on Saturday, 23 May 2009.

The event was also attended by Hungarian mothers and their children, some went along with their spouse and a few accompanied by their father.

Women and children are entitled to have right for good health, enjoy education, and protection from factors that may lead to degradation, these are agreed by the government and non-governmental organization in Indonesia. The presence of the State Ministry for Women Empowerment displayed the determination of the Indonesian government to guarantee the welfare for mother and children. Family Planning Program has been introduced persuasively to support family’s income in order to enabling children gets their right for education. Ambassador Mangasi Sihombing explained furthered.

The event was held in a more friendship atmosphere, a forum where Indonesian mothers as well as Hungarian could discuss the challenges in raising children more open. Children were let to express themselves to know about gamelan, Indonesia traditional music equipment.

Ms Renata Ungvary, a journalist from Kismama magazine demonstrated Hungarian traditional way to carry baby that didn’t prevent mothers to continue their daily activities. Whilst Ms Shinta Hapsari, Third Secretary from the Indonesia Embassy demonstrated the baby carry from Indonesian side.

Indonesian traditional dances, namely dance Merak, tortor Tandok, Kuala Deli and Mainang were performed at the event. Indonesian dances group from the Embassy was lead by Mr Martozet.

In his interviewed to Television 2 Hungary that covered the event, Ambassador Sihombing briefed that Indonesia has been a party for various covenants that support the well-being of women and children, including the Covenant on Protecting Women and Children from Smuggling. Ambassador added that the Commission for Child Protection has been established a long go in Indonesia. In his closing remarks, Ambassador stressed out the importance of tourisms as a part of informal education. "

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