Sideshows fail to boost Summit hype<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
If the taste of a main course is determined by its appetizers,
\nthen the 2005 Asian-African Summit is in trouble. The series of
\nevents which preceded the Summit apparently did not whet the
\nappetite of ordinary Jakartans, or, quite probably, the
\ninternational delegations.<\/p>\n
The view in the Asian-Africa Symposium on Renewable Energy,
\nAsian-African Trade Fair and a workshop on the role of women and
\nyouth aimed at furthering regional cooperation, have not aroused
\nthe feeling that Jakarta is hosting an international event.<\/p>\n
Javaid Shaheen of the Pakistani Embassy's handicraft
\npromotion, who participated in the Trade Fair, regretted the
\n\"minimal\" participation of foreign countries.<\/p>\n
The Trade Fair had only eight foreign country participants:
\nPakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Egypt, Laos, the
\nPhilippines and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
The remaining booths were filled with state-owned firms, and
\nthose representing the National Police and Indonesian Military
\n(TNI).<\/p>\n
Shaheen said that the short notice from organizers could have
\ndeterred countries from taking part in the fair. He received less
\nthan three weeks notice.<\/p>\n
Organizers earlier announced that countries including Qatar,
\nSouth Africa and Iraq would take part, but they pulled out at the
\nlast minute.<\/p>\n
An official claimed that the event had averaged 1,000 visitors
\nin one day, though the venue looked relatively vacant.<\/p>\n
The symposium and exhibition on renewable energy, held in
\nKemayoran, Central Jakarta, also failed to impress the visitors.<\/p>\n
According to Lola, a visitor from South Jakarta, the two
\nevents in Kemayoran were not coordinated very well.<\/p>\n
\"It seems the organizers are not ready but force themselves to
\nhold such events anyway. It is just disappointing,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, at Tuesday's workshop on the role of women and
\nyouth held at the Hilton Hotel, papers were not readily available
\nfor the media, and foreign delegates were baffled by the limited
\nseating.<\/p>\n
A few Arab women looked confused and uncomfortable at having
\nto sit together with men.<\/p>\n
It can only be hoped that appetizers are not too important,
\nconsidering the more than 60 heads of state from 106 countries
\nmay just want to dive into main course in any case, after a wait
\nof 50 years.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sideshows-fail-to-boost-summit-hype-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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