British council, more than just a library

British council, more than just a library

By Pandaya

JAKARTA (JP): Neil Kemp has kissed the Jakarta British Council
goodbye but he knows he'll be back to Indonesia, where he has
learned values and knowledge that have changed his cultural
concepts.

Anyone who has ever lived in Indonesia will want to return
after they have gone home, says Kemp, whose list of general
interests include "walking and living in warm countries".

In a recent interview with The Jakarta Post, Kemp, who was
accompanied by his successor, Richard P. Phillips, said he was
lucky to be posted in Jakarta when he was, as he could witness
democracy eventually finding its way in the country after more
than three decades of authoritarian rule under former president
Soeharto.

The changes took place so rapidly. Kemp can count himself as
one of the few British Council officials to have worked under
three Indonesian presidents.

Kemp, 55, a chemist by training, was lucky to have the chance
in the course of his five-year term to not only work closely with
the government and NGOs, but also see a lot of history in the
making.

His most memorable experience was the final day of the 1999
election campaign, when thousands of Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDIP) supporters turned the Hotel Indonesia traffic
circle into a sea of red, the party's color.

It was a powerful statement by people who had long been
oppressed, he said.

Among the many activities under his charge, Kemp found the
educational projects between Britain and Indonesia the most
interesting.

He said education should be one of the highest priorities on
the Indonesian government's agenda and stressed the need to
reform the higher education system.

Kemp pointed out that as most of the education budget goes on
teachers' salaries, Indonesia had little left to finance
educational reforms.

"That's where we are sympathetic," he said.

The British Council, which started in Bandung in 1948, has
played a pivotal role in cooperation between Indonesia and
England in the fields of education, culture, governance and human
rights.

Over the past few years, it has been aggressively marketing
British schools to Indonesian students and professionals,
realizing that Briton lags far behind the United States and
Australia in attracting Indonesian students.

According to the council's statistics, in 1997 there were
some 38,000 Indonesians studying abroad, of which only 2,500 were
in the UK.

In his book Becaks, Blackboards and Beyond, Kemp likens the
British Council to a "marriage broker": it introduces two parties
and assists them during a period of courtship. Once the parties
have established a united goal, they go in to a contract akin to
"marriage".

"The British Council then steps back and watches the happy
couple build up a lasting partnership," the book says.

Among educated urban dwellers, the British Council is well-
known for its library and as a good place to occasionally see
quality British films and art.

The dragging economic crisis has boosted the council's library
membership as people's ability to buy English-language books has
decreased.

In 1997 when the crisis started, membership stood at 8,627. In
1998, the number jumped to 9,527.

"The thirst for knowledge was evident on the first day the
(Jakarta) library opened after the May 1998 riots. About 650
people flocked to it, double the daily average," Kemp noted.

He plans to continue with his commitment to education. Back
home in Britain, he will begin a new senior management job in the
education program at the British Council headquarters.

Kemp wrote Becaks, Blackboards and Beyond in conjunction with
the council's 50th anniversary in Indonesia. Edited by John
Aglionby, the book summarizes the history of the council's
Indonesian office and highlights its activities.

"This is one of my best achievement if you want to know," he
said laughing, handing over a freshly autographed copy.

The council's new boss in Jakarta, 50-year-old Richard
Phillips -- who is also a chemist by training -- shares Kemp's
passion for educational programs.

Phillips is determined to explore more areas where the council
can be of service as well as continuing the good work of his
predecessors, including cooperating with the education ministry,
whose office is located just across the street.

Good luck, Mister.