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SEE/OUR Education Initiative, 2461 Santa Monica Blvd. #828, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA-info@OrangUtanRepublik.org OUR Education Initiative is not affiliated with the Orangutan Foundation International nor its co-founder. OUR Education Initiative is a project of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE) a registered 501(c)(3) public charity © 2006 Orang Utan Republik Education Initiative |
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OUR Education Initiative is not a political organization and does not endorse or sponsor activities that attack or condemn individuals, organizations or governments. OUR Educational Initiative will work together with individuals, governments and nongovernmental organizations that are committed to saving orangutans and their rain forest habitat. |
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News & announcements archives |
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OUREI Successful in Gaining Official Recognition for “Pekan Peduli Orang Utan” by Indonesian Ministry of Forestry |
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November 16, 2005– Jakarta, Indonesia. While a group of reporters from the television and print media listened among a throng of orangutan and primate support groups, Minister of Forestry, MS Kaban read a declaration officially recognizing “Pekan Peduli Orang Utan” or Orangutan Caring Week, 13-19 November 2005. The declaration, presented at a press conference announcing the special week, was the culmination of an effort among supporters of the Orang Utan Republik Education Initiative (OUREI) to have International Orangutan Awareness Week given government recognition during the month of November. Thousands of signatures were collected throughout year and those signatures were presented to OUREI Ambassador Angelina Sondakh last July and this November. Efforts by her office to gain ministerial support were ultimately successful. Pekan Peduli Orang Utan (PPOU) was chosen as the Indonesian equivalent for Orangutan Awareness Week which occurred the week before (Nov 6-12).
During the press conference that was held in the Operations Room of the Indonesian Parliament Building, OUREI Chairman, Dr. Gary Shapiro, publicly presented a certificate of appointment to Angelina Sondakh as OUREI Ambassador and a certificate of appreciation to Minister Kaban for making the official declaration. Brief presentations about orangutans and PPOU were made by Ambassador Sondakh while Dr. Ian Singleton (Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme) and Togu Simorangkir (Yayasan Orangutan Indonesia) gave illustrated briefings on the status of orangutans in Sumatra and an education initiative in Kalimantan, respectively. Writer and conservationist Fachruddin “Rudi” Mangunjaya also used the opportunity to launch his new children’s book, “Orangutan Pesta Buah Durian” or “Orangutan Durian Party”
The declaration of PPOU led to increased interest about the plight of orangutans by the media. Numerous newspaper articles about orangutans appeared during the week, and Ambassador Sondakh and Chairman Shapiro appeared on several radio and television programs to discuss PPOU and orangutan issues. OUREI facilitated a 3-day fair in the lobby of the Parliament Building featuring a dozen primate and conservation organizations (NGOs) that were invited to participate. Indeed, the mission of OUREI is to enroll the combined efforts of government, NGOs, media, and the people of Indonesia to save the orangutan. In that regard, PPOU was a successful inaugural event for OUREI in Indonesia and one that will be expanded in the coming years. |
