Perhimpunan Baca Tulis Masyarakat (PBTM) Indonesia is an affiliate of the International Reading Association (IRA). It currently operates in several different provinces in Indonesia, such as Aceh, Padang, Jakarta, and Surabaya. PBTM Indonesia (or The Indonesian Reading and Writing Association) seeks to reflect the vision and mission of its mother organization.
PBTM Indonesia has specific goals which are to progress and develop the reading and the writing interests in the communities of Indonesia, to assist and provide bilingualism training (fluency in bilingual reading and writing) in Indonesian and English, and Indonesian and the Community Language (local languages in Indonesia). PBTM Indonesia also maintains a close network among the professional educators and stakeholders that are interested in community-based education.
PBTM Indonesia coordinates with chapters in various provinces in Indonesia. Mulyadi is chairman in Aceh, in, Nazara heads the chapter in Padang, Athriyana Pattiwael leads in Surabaya, and Marnix Ruipasa is in charge in Jakarta. The PBTM Indonesia chapter in Ambon just elected Christian Albert Lewier as its head of the chapter. These chapters will coordinate their work, plans, and other activities with PBTM Indonesia.
PBTM Indonesia held a board meeting on the second day of the seminar. A new board leadership was inducted, with Richard Manuputty as President, Mulyadi as Vice President, Jenny Lekatompessy as Recording Secretary and Treasurer, and Sophia Bynendik as Membership Secretary. This board will serve the association from 2011 to 2013.
In front of the seminar participants, representing the IRA board of directors, Rizalina Labanda witnessed the newly appointed PBTM Indonesia board as they were sworn in to serve the organization. Labanda also gave two sponsored memberships on behalf of Mark Mullen, the Interim Executive Director of IRA. Labanda hopes that these new members will “breed” more members in the future. At this point, PTBM Indonesia is beginning to design its short-term and long-term future plans. PBTM is focusing on welcoming the 2013 Asian Literacy Conference, which also will be held in Indonesia.
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