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Tanoto Foundation Collaborates with Asia Philanthropy Circle on Groundbreaking Study on Early Childhood Development across Asia

Research is most comprehensive mapping to date of parenting and early childhood programmes across China, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 6 July 2023 – Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) has today released the results of its Regional Early Childhood Development (ECD) Landscape Study. The study is the first of its kind and is the most comprehensive mapping to date of parenting and early childhood programmes across Asia, with a particular focus on China, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The study was conducted by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and supported by Tanoto Foundation and other APC members and philanthropists in the region.

The findings of the study show that across all four countries, there has been a clear increase in government commitment to provide holistic support to children, families, and communities. This is evidenced by existing policies and legislation, as well as significant investments into healthcare and early education. However, the study also indicates that, while national policies exist, there are significant challenges to their local implementation, including the lack of sustainable financing, capacity, and knowledge in the sector, as well as other socio-economic and cultural barriers.

“Early childhood is a crucial time for development that will have far-reaching impacts later in life. We wanted to fund this research to better understand the needs of ECD systems in these countries. The objectives of this research are aligned with our own efforts to catalyse support for initiatives that promote quality early childhood development across the region,” said Belinda Tanoto, Member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation.

Tanoto Foundation, which was founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto, was the first organisation to approach APC to propose a regional study to better understand the gaps and identify potential areas for collaboration in the ECD area.

“Philanthropists across the region, including many of APC’s members, are already doing so much work around early childhood, but understanding the landscape enables everyone to be more strategic in their programming,” said Stacey Choe, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Philanthropy Circle. “This research helps the philanthropy sector drill down on what’s not being addressed, and find areas where we can work together to create greater impact.”

Part of the study’s aim is to guide donors, service providers, government agencies, and other key stakeholders towards these gaps that require further intervention, and to provide recommendations where sectors could collaborate to strengthen and improve outcomes in the region.

“Without a clear understanding of the current situation across a country or region, stakeholders often work in fragmented or disjointed ways, doubling efforts or investing in programmes that do not best meet the needs of the population,” said Dr. Gayatri Kembhavi-Tam, Associate Director, CEI, who led the study.

Early childhood development lays the foundation for a child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being, and is a strong predictor of long-term development. Recent evidence shows that giving children the best start in life requires access to comprehensive programmes and services between birth and six years that address their health and developmental needs, including early education. Some of the common gaps across the region that have emerged that require further attention include:

  • Paradoxical “double burden” of malnutrition and obesity. Malnutrition and stunting cases in Indonesia and the Philippines are still high, while there is a rise in number of overweight and obese children across all four countries. This points to a potential lack of access to information for caregivers on the right nutrition and healthy food.
  • Inequity in access to health services for some populations, due to financial restrictions, or availability of services such as for rural areas, and the shortage of trained professionals.
  • Lack of attention on the home learning environment, and to the role of fathers. Both factors have critical impact on ECD.
  • Lack of capacity in the ECD sector. There is a need to train, retain, and recognise those in the ECD workforce -such as healthcare providers, teachers, and social workers – in order to improve the quality of services and support they can provide to families.
  • Lack of reliable, national-level data and research to support evidence-based decision-making. There is a need to support and recognise research and data collection to better understand community needs, what programmes are working, in order to make better policies and decisions.
  • Lack of coordination among actors. There is a need to convene policymakers, NGOs, funders, service providers and community members to improve implementation of policies and initiatives.

The study, which took place over the course of a year in 2022, examined a total of 276 programmes, 145 national and sub-national policies related to ECD across all four countries. In addition, CEI also interviewed 52 stakeholders from government, academia, and non-governmental and philanthropic organizations.

The study is the product of a joint regional collaboration led by APC in partnership with CEI and the Centre for Holistic Initiatives for Learning and Development (CHILD), and supported by 11 APC members and philanthropic organisations across the region, including Tanoto Foundation, the Ayala Foundation (Philippines), Bakti Barito Foundation (Indonesia), Djarum Foundation (Indonesia), Knowledge Channel Foundation (Philippines), IshK Tolaram Foundation (Indonesia), Li Foundation (Singapore), Nomura (Singapore), Quantedge Advancement Initiative (Singapore), Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (Philippines) and Zuellig Family Foundation (Philippines).

Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Tanoto Foundation:

Tanoto Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization in the field of education founded by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto in 1981 based on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. Tanoto Foundation’s programs stem from the belief that quality education accelerates equal opportunity. We harness the transformative power of education to realize people’s potential and improve life through quality education from an early to productive age.

About Asia Philanthropy Circle:

Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) is a community of philanthropists collaborating to chart a better future for Asia. Founded in 2015 by Asia-based philanthropists to encourage peer exchange, APC has grown to over 50 members across 13 markets. We are home to a diverse network of philanthropists—across generations and interests—seeking collective impact together. Our members give in financial and human capital, champion social innovation for public good, and pioneer collaborative initiatives to build the social impact ecosystem and address systemic challenges. APC is a registered charity headquartered in Singapore with roots throughout the region. .

About Centre for Evidence and Implementation:

The Centre for Evidence and Implementation envisions a world where people can improve their lives through support that is equitable and effective. We are a global, for-purpose evidence intermediary and advisory organisation dedicated to using the best evidence in practice and policy to improve the lives of people facing adversity. Established in Australia in 2016, CEI is a multi-disciplinary team across five offices in London, Melbourne, Oslo, Singapore, and Sydney. We work with our partners, including policymakers, governments, practitioners, program providers, organisation leaders, and funders in four key areas of work:

  • Understanding and making sense of the evidence base
  • Generating evidence through trialing, testing, and evaluating policies and programs to drive more effective decisions and deliver better outcomes
  • Developing methods and processes to get high quality evidence into policy and practice
  • Building cultures for evidence use

2023 Global Esports Summit Agenda Revealed: More than 30 Global Guests Will Discuss New Developments in Esports

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach – 6 July 2023 – The 2023 Global Esports Summit and Tencent Esports Annual Conference, themed Link to Future, will take place in Shenzhen, China, on July 14-15, 2023.

The Global Esports Summit will take place in the morning on July 14. Esteemed guests, such as Kenneth Fok Kai-Kong, the president of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation, Xu Haifeng, the first Chinese Olympics Gold Medalist, and H.R.H Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, the Chairman of Saudi Esports Federation and Vice Chairman of Savvy Games Group, will share their perspectives on industry developments. Publishers of Asian Games titles will announce their Asian Games plans. Moreover, representatives of esports associations such as South Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and sports organizations such as ASEAN will discuss global Esports trends.

The Tencent Esports Annual Conference will take place in the afternoon on July 14, during which the latest annual tournament plans for 11 Tencent Esports titles will be announced, as well the reveal of two new titles.

The conference will also host parallel sessions, such as the first Women of Esports Development Forum in China, focusing on industry issues to promote in-depth industry development.

Hashtag: #Esports

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Kakao Pay Launches Overseas ATM Withdrawal Service in Laos, Vietnam, and Japan

A Kakao Pay user makes payment through the app (Photo: Koreaby Me)

Kakao Pay Corp., a mobile payment and digital wallet service in South Korea has launched an overseas ATM withdrawal service in partnership with Global Loyalty Network (GLN), an overseas payment platform under Hana Bank, to allow users to withdraw national currency in Laos, Vietnam, and Japan using just their mobile phones.

GEODIS recognized as “Best Companies to Work for in Asia” for second year, and receives the “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” Award

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 6 July 2023 – GEODIS, a global leader in the transport and logistics sector, has been recognized as one of the ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia” by HR Asia for the Hong Kong region for the second consecutive year. The award recognizes organizations that have been identified by their employees as one of the best employers of choice. It acknowledges those with the best human resources (HR) practices, and which demonstrate high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures.

PRESS PHOTO _ Geodis HK HR Asia Award.jpg
Chris Cahill, Managing Director, North Asia Sub-Region at GEODIS (Image credit : Business Media International)

GEODIS was also presented with the HR Asia Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Award, which celebrates the best companies in Asia that have successfully implemented practices and have become outstanding examples of promoting DEI.

“Congratulations to our team in Hong Kong for achieving these awards. Hong Kong is a critical hub and plays a pivotal role in GEODIS’ plans for growth in the Asia Pacific region. At GEODIS, we firmly believe that our success is driven by our people, it is their passion, expertise and commitment that enable us to achieve our goals and exceed expectations. This recognition validates the efforts we have put into building a supportive, inclusive, and engaging workplace in the region,” said Onno C.P. Boots, Regional President and CEO, Asia Pacific and Middle East region, at GEODIS.

“We are truly honored to be recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ and conferred the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards. People are our most important asset and we continuously strive to provide them with the necessary tools, resources and opportunities for growth. We invest in robust learning and development programs, encourage open communication, and foster a collaborative, diverse and inclusive environment that encourage innovation. This award is the result of the collective efforts of our entire team and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for their exceptional contribution,” said Chris Cahill, Managing Director, North Asia Sub-Region at GEODIS.

GEODIS’ workforce excellence priorities are focused on managing performance, engaging the workforce and developing talents. These talent development initiatives include the Leadership Engagement Group, which empowers middle managers across the company to make a positive impact at work and Individual Development Plans, which aim to support employee goals and cultivate better work experiences for all. In addition, a global program, MANAGE, targeted at middle management, fosters a shared set of leadership skills aligned with established 7 leadership principles.

GEODIS believes that a culture of diversity, with an equal commitment to inclusivity, are key to achieving dynamism, creativity and fresh approaches to problem solving that are required in an ever-changing business environment. The company, which comprises of 51% women in Asia Pacific, regularly consults with its people through Employee Engagement Groups (EEGs) and the GEODIS’ Women Network, to ensure diverse voices, concerns, and ideas are consistently heard and responded to.

In terms of practical initiatives employed to advance these policies, GEODIS emphasizes education of its staff about gender neutral policies, localized provision of family care and flexible working hours. The active GEODIS’ Women Network facilitates both women and men to come together to learn about how diversity and inclusion create a better work environment and growth for all aspects of the business and organization.

Hashtag: #GEODIS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com   

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.

Govt to Develop Electronic Signature for State Budget Management System

MTC, MOF in Laos to Develop Electronic Signature for Efficiency
Representatives from the Ministry of Technology and Communications and the Ministry of Finance in Laos during the signing ceremony. (Photo: PathetLao)

The Ministry of Technology and Communication and the Ministry of Finance in Laos signed an agreement to develop the use of electronic signatures in the state budget management system on 6 July.

DPR Asia Pacific joins the United Nations Global Compact Initiative

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 6 July 2023 – DPR Construction, Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., part of DPR Construction’s Family of Companies, has joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative—a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.

With this announcement, DPR Construction is proud to join thousands of other companies committed to taking responsible business action to create the world we all want.

The UN Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Being integral and indispensable is threaded into everything that we do at DPR. Our four Pillars of Global Social Responsibility (GSR): People, Planet, Partners and Philanthropy, are in line with our commitment to the UN Global Compact’s principles. We are proud to be part of the global call to taking responsible actions in creating a more sustainable society and environment.” said Richard Kimber, DPR’s managing director for Asia Pacific.

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 15,000 companies and 3,800 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 69 Local Networks.

DPR’s Asia Pacific operations bring global, technical and construction expertise to the region. A BCA-registered contractor, DPR specializes in the commercial, advanced technology and life sciences markets as well as healthcare and higher education.

Hashtag: #Construction #Sustainability #UNGC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Gentari and Keppel team up to expand sustainable energy solutions in Southeast Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 6 July 2023 – Clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Keppel’s Infrastructure Division to jointly explore the development of specific sustainability-related opportunities. The MoU was executed during the recent Energy Asia conference in Kuala Lumpur, where industry leaders and policymakers gathered to advance Asia’s net zero ambitions.

From left: 1. Mr Tan Boon Leng, Managing Director, Keppel Infrastructure Holdings 2. Mr Low Kian Min, Chief Renewables Officer, Gentari Sdn Bhd
From left:
1. Mr Tan Boon Leng, Managing Director, Keppel Infrastructure Holdings
2. Mr Low Kian Min, Chief Renewables Officer, Gentari Sdn Bhd

Gentari was represented by its Chief Renewables Officer, Low Kian Min, while Keppel was represented by Tan Boon Leng, Managing Director of Keppel Infrastructure Holdings Pte Ltd. Also present at the signing ceremony were Gentari’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sushil Purohit, and CEO of Keppel’s Infrastructure Division, Cindy Lim.

Through the MoU, the parties are looking to unlock synergies in renewable and low-carbon energy projects as well as electric vehicle charging infrastructure and roaming to build economies of scale, facilitate mutual support in market access and enable mutual capability development. In addition, the parties will explore potential collaboration in Energy-as-a-Service opportunities, including energy efficiency and energy management projects.

“We are excited to collaborate with Keppel via this MoU, as it represents a significant step in growing the application of sustainable energy solutions across Southeast Asia. By leveraging our combined capabilities in areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and sustainable energy applications, we aim to deliver innovative solutions that support the region’s net zero ambitions. Together, we are committed to reshaping the energy landscape and creating a greener future for Southeast Asia,” said Sushil Purohit, CEO of Gentari.

Cindy Lim, CEO of Keppel’s Infrastructure Division added, “Keppel is pleased to collaborate with Gentari on a targeted slate of initiatives that will help to address immediate urban and climatic challenges in Southeast Asia. The MoU is a testament to Gentari and Keppel’s shared commitment towards helping the region get closer to net zero. Through collaborating on sustainable infrastructure projects and Energy-as-a-Service with Gentari, we aim to leverage each other’s strengths to improve urban environments and enhance access to e-mobility.”

For more information on Gentari, please visit www.gentari.com.

Hashtag: #Gentari

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Gentari

Gentari is a clean energy company focused on delivering the net zero solutions required to put cleaner energy into action today, to transform how we live tomorrow. Gentari offers lower carbon solutions through three initial core pillars – Renewable Energy, Hydrogen and Green Mobility, forming a portfolio of solutions cutting across the electron value chain to help customers achieve net zero emissions. In the long term, Gentari aims to be a full-suite net zero solutions provider, creating greater value, connecting businesses, and making the journey to net zero possible.

KDDI Digital Life, Japan’s digital telco, achieves high customer satisfaction score with Circles

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 6 July 2023 – Circles, a global telco technology company, announced high customer satisfaction of povo2.0, the digital telco brand that was launched in Japan with long-standing partner, KDDI Corporation, one of Japan’s leading telecommunications companies.

povo2.0, empowered by Circles X technology, delivers delightful digital experiences to the digital savvy users in Japan

First launched in 2021, povo2.0, by KDDI Digital Life (KDL), adopted a transformative ‘clean sheet’ strategy leveraging Circles’ cloud native SaaS platform, Circles X, to develop and launch differentiated services rapidly. Built for ‘operators by an operator’, Circles X provides operators with a success playbook that equips them with the agility to market and provides digitally savvy consumers with best-in-class experiences.

povo2.0 was launched remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, from Singapore into the Japan market, in just 16 weeks. This was a first for any digital telco brand in Japan. Committed to the motto of ‘no more bill shock’, povo2.0 empowers customers with the freedom to tailor the services in their plans, based on their individual preferences and requirements.

This garnered KDL a net-promoter-score that is significantly higher than the average industry benchmarks, a key measure of customer satisfaction.

Toshitake Amamiya, Executive Vice President of KDDI Corporation says, “I am delighted to have Circles as our partner. They have the proven knowledge and capabilities to serve digital-native users, offering the simple and agile service experience we were looking for.”

Rameez Ansar, CEO and Co-Founder of Circles, says, “As the ratio of digitally savvy consumers increases, so does the need for more personalised digital experiences. It’s now more crucial than ever for telcos to innovate and deliver next-generation digital services to meet the demands of these customers. At Circles, we have the digital and operator expertise to help telco operators to accelerate their digital transformation plans based on the success of operating our own digital telco, Circles.Life, in Singapore, Taiwan and Australia.” He continues, “We are delighted to have a partner like KDL who is at the forefront of innovation and shaping the digital telco landscape in Japan. We look forward to bringing more innovative digital services and experiences to the people.”

Toshiro Akiyama, CEO of KDDI Digital Life says, “The ability to quickly develop and launch differentiated services with a solution that not only works with the KDDI ecosystem but also runs independently from the system, really empowered KDDI to take a bold leap forward with its first-ever digital telco brand.” He adds, “The Circles team runs side by side with KDDI tirelessly to ensure seamless execution of the project, removing the unnecessary hassle of having to manage multiple vendors. the people at Circles are truly its biggest asset.”

For more information, download the customer case study here.

Hashtag: #Circles #CirclesX #ByOperatorforOperators #Cloudnative #SaaS #DigitalTelecommunication #DigitalTelco #KDDI #KDDIJapan #povo2.0 #digitalexperience #digitaltransformation #telcotechnology #Singapore #Japan

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Circles

Founded in 2014, Circles is a global technology company reimagining the telco industry with its SaaS platform – Circles X, helping telco operators launch and operate successful digital brands.

Today, Circles is partnering operators in 14 countries with the mission to deliver delightful digital experiences to millions of people through our businesses.

With Circles.Life, our digital lifestyle brand, we empower and delight customers across the world by offering digital experiences that go beyond traditional telco services.

With Circles X, our digital telco technology empowers operators to launch digital telco brands from anywhere in the world. Built for operators by an operator, Circles X powers both Circles.Life and our partner operators’ digital telco brands.

Circles is backed by global investors such as Peak XV Partners, Warburg Pincus, EDBI and Founders Fund – renowned institutions with a track record of backing industry-shaking innovators.

To learn more, visit www.circles.co.