UCLG ASPAC and Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) collaborative programme on Blended Learning Course (BLC) for Local Governments has reached out wide areas of role and function in the local government structure. This is a positive signal, as the SDGs localisation does need collaborative efforts from all sectors and levels.
One of the good examples was shown by city of Pontianak, capital of West Kalimantan Province in Indonesia. Attending the Blended Learning Course was Mr. Abussamah, S.STP, M.A.P, representing the Civil Service Police Unit (CSPU) of Pontianak. His participation was aimed at enhancing the performance of CSPU and providing better services for the public.
CSPU Role and Opportunity in the Blended Learning Course
CSPU of Pontianak functions in upholding local regulation, ensuring public order and peace, and for community protection to help the achievement of city development. In performing the role, however, right violation may happen. It is ironic considering the ultimate goal is to achieve city development, in which protection towards right is included.
CSPU of Pontianak has acknowledged that, in performing its role, the institution needs to be more human-oriented. In relation to that, it has launched SEIRAMA (Gerakan SatPol PP menuju Indonesia Ramah) programme for “a more friendly Indonesia.” This programme provides protective and crime preventive service to schools in the city. According to Mr. Abu, it aims at improving services and putting forward protection to the public. It is also expected that it can create a sense of public security and comfort, raise public awareness on the importance of public order, and motivate public to actively participate in it. Other activities under SEIRAMA include ChiPS (Cegah Kumuh Melalui Penertiban Subuh) a slum prevention programme that wins Inagara Award from the Indonesian Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform; SiCepOY (Sidang Cepat Operasi Yustisi) programme to mitigate the virus spread; and Gempa (Gerakan Masyarakat Pemadam Api) programme on fire management.
Through BLC, CSPU of Pontianak saw the opportunity to contribute to particularly Goal 11: to Make Cities and Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient, and Sustainable. Contribution is related to the rights to access public spaces safely; most particularly to girls, women, children, elders, and persons with disabilities. It is also related to the effort to raise public awareness to cooperate with local government.
Knowledge Sharing
In a knowledge sharing activity to CSPU team, Mr. Abu mentioned the importance of putting community’s safety and comfort at heart of performing CSPU role. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the creation of better community as set on the SDGs. The knowledge sharing was attended by 40 people consisting of structural officers and members of CSPU of Pontianak as well as all Heads of the Sub-District (of related section) in the city.
In 2020, Mr. Abussamah was enlisted in the top 40 candidates who received the award from Indonesian Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform. The list consisting of people considered inspirational in performing roles with upholding rights and support the achievement of SDGs.
UCLG ASPAC highly appreciates city of Pontianak for its commitment in achieving sustainable development goals. UCLG ASPAC will continuously produce relevant programme to support cities and local governments to achieve sustainable development.
Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Masjid_Jami_Pontianak.jpg
