Summit 55 Bandung 55:
North Maluku laboratory multidimensional diversity - 03/10/2010
With the upcoming of 55 Bandung 55 Summit of the Peoples, an important event in Asia and Africa, Le
Courrier du Vietnam takes this opportunity to publish two papers by Dr. Nguyen Dac Nhu-Mai, Winner
of 2010 Golden Words of Francophony for Newspapers and Member of the Steering Committee of 55
Bandung 55.
The North Maluku, Maluku Utara in Indonesia, is a province of Indonesia formed by islands of half
northern of Indonesian archipelago of the Moluccas. It lies between New Guinea to the east-west
Sulawesi and the north-east of Pacific Ocean. Its economic capital is Ternate. In the 2000 census, the
province had 724,900 inhabitants. Formerly simple Kabupaten (department) of the province of Maluku,
North Maluku won provincial status in 1999.
Ternate, an ancient town of the sultanate, was for several years, the provisional capital of the province
but, due to the historic rivalry of the former sultanate-neighbor of Tidore, a new capital was established
in the village of Sofifi on the island of Halmahera, the largest of the Moluccas. In the 16th and 17th
centuries, North Maluku were the first Spice Islands, the region at that time being the only source of
cloves. The Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and the local sultanates of Ternate and Tidore quarreled and
split control of lucrative spices’trade. With the conversion of his sovereign in 1460, under the influence
of the Muslim principality Gresik in Java, Ternate was the first country in the Moluccas known as
Islamising where the North are overwhelmingly Muslim. Islands and islets scattered over about 1,200
km from north to south. These are a series of coral gardens, dense forests, volcanoes, deserted beaches,
guava, mango and coconut trees heavy with fruit that advertise a wonderful tropical paradise. The
natural beauty is the first reward that awaits the traveller. Still ignored by the mass tourism, life
stretches at a leisurely pace, in the shadow of cloves and nutmegs. Thus, ecotourism is settled.
Moreover, residents live by fishing, plantation of cloves, nutmegs and export products such as spices,
cocoa, coffee, coconuts, fish and minerals. Because of the large distances between islands, each island
has its own characteristics and traditions developed over centuries.
Under the Peoples' Summit 55 Bandung 55 visits of historical places and socio cultural and seminars will
be organized in North Maluku October 31 to November 2, 2010. Thinkers, social and solidarity activists,
researchers, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens of Africa and Asia are to address this diversity
multidimensional laboratory after measuring the amplitude of the plenary sessions and parallel
workshops in Yogyakarta (25-27 October), Bandung (28-29 October) and Jakarta (30 October).
The development of a rich culture in North Malaku with unique genres of music, folkloric dances and
crafts also intensifies the diversity in the scientific and technical cooperation. Indeed, as regards the
latter, the governor of North Maluku, seeking to improve the living conditions of residents gave priority
to education, health and infrastructure. By signing an agreement with the company Eramet and the
University of Le Havre (France), he hopes to achieve rapid development of the archipelago. Eramet, the
French metal and mining group since 1880, has a production unit in Sandouville. Its Weda Bay Nickel
project is to double its nickel production through the hydrometallurgical technology products. The
company has partnered with Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan) and Antam (Indonesia). The University of Le
Havre will offer its expertise in the areas of training, research and expertise. Training, ISEL (engineering
education in logistics), training for studying the French language to Indonesian students, skills training,
science and technology (sending trainees in Indonesia, support for trainers, home Indonesian students)
and ITU (host students for a DUT i.e. diplôme universitaire de technologie, a professional license, leading
to a Master’s level or engineer. In the field of research, cooperation cope with the new energy,
environment, logistics and transport, social acceptability and exchanges with laboratories (URCOM,
LMAH, CIRTAI, LEMA, CERENE, GRIC, ISEL). As for expertise, it supports local development. The project
provides training and hiring about 400 Indonesian residents.
Laboratory for Diversity, North Maluku are turning to multi-dimensional window. It is hoped that
Indonesian archipelago is becoming one of the current lifestyles because industry and digital are the
challenge converting diversity as source of happiness and prosperity in the context of globalization.
Nguyen Dac Nhu-Mai
Member of Steering Committee 55 Bandung 55 Summit of Peoles
Le Courrier du Vietnam (02/10/2010)