August 21, 2021 — On Saturday, August 21, 2021, Language Ambassadors Association in East Kalimantan dan North Kalimantan Province (IKA Dubas Kaltim and Kaltara) held krida (creation) enthusiastically even though still in a pandemic circumstances. IKA Dubas Kaltim and Kaltara in collaboration with Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province organized an action entitled ABDI BAHASA IN KALTIM AND KALTARA. It took “Early Literacy in Pandemic Era” as the theme. It presented Reksa Bahasa (Language Guards) and Language Ambassadors as speakers. Besides, member of various literacy communities in East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan Province are invited as participants.
In his remarks, Head of Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province, Drs. Anang Santosa, M. Hum. stated that the change in literacy paradigm must be understood by all parties who are involved in literacy practices, moreover in the cultural, social, and political area.
In the new literacy paradigm, understanding, involving, utilizing, analyzing, and transforming process toward the existing texts must lead the community to practical abilities and competencies, not only stop at reading and writing activities.
Reksa Bahasa and Language Ambassadors are the chosen young generation and active partners of Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province. They promotes language and literature use, both Indonesian and regional. Also, acts to disseminate other activities related to it.
A warm welcome and enthusiasm went to this activity from the participants. It consisted of literacy activists and practitioners who came from various literacy communities. The four speakers–Ling Chen Ni, M. Nurcholis Azhari, Regina Lilita Bulan, and Krisna Irma Suryani–and Irsalinda Wesa Nurrahim as moderator guided interesting dialogues, complementing, and sharing with local literacy actors and activists.
Head of Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province hoped that this act will produce a preparation guide for similar activities in the future. It is expected that this program sustainability may give a real contribution to literacy development in East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan Province.
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma