News from Secretariat - June 2020

News from Secretariat UCLG ASPAC is proud to announce new personnel in the Secretariat Office. They will work hand-in-hand with the Secretariat Team to ensure we deliver the best to our members and partners.

Maria Serenade Sinurat, or Maria, is the Communication and Knowledge Management Officer for the Climate Resilience and Inclusive Cities Programme. Having a Master of Journalism from the University of Melbourne, Maria will support the Team in the collection and dissemination of best practices, learning and climate action plans from pilot cities, including the creation of knowledge transfer platform among cities. Prior to joining UCLG, Maria has taken on various communication roles at Belgian NGO Rikolto, USAID Lestari Project, AKATIGA Research Institute and the International Organisation for Migration. She particularly enjoys developing media training programme for women and young people. She is also passionate about gender equality and community-driven climate action initiatives. When she’s not working, she likes to attend Zumba classes, goes for an outdoor run, explores local music and arts scene, and connects with people over coffee.

Noviandri Tri Yotighana, or Andre, is the newly recruited Database and Administration Assistant. Graduating from Universite Lumiere Lyon 2 as an Information and Communication major, Andre will support the Secretariat Team in data management, human resources, and administration. Prior to joining UCLG ASPAC, Andre worked as an Administration and Technical Staff at Embassy of Indonesia in Ottawa (Canada). He loves movies and video games. When asked about his motivation in joining UCLG ASPAC, he said that he would like to learn on how things work in a non-profit institution.

Nabil Muhammad, or usually called Nabil, is the newly recruited Field Officer for the Palu Project and based in Palu. Graduating from Tadulako University, Nabil will help the DRR Team in implementing the rehabilitation project in Palu which is supported by CUF. With background in Civil Engineering, Nabil will also make sure that construction of public space in Palu is well executed and that UCLG ASPAC supports local economic development in Palu.

Before joining UCLG ASPAC, Nabil worked with Regional Disaster Management Agency of Palu. His work involves advocacy and consultancy for stimulant fund for the damaged community houses because of the earthquake in Palu. Before that, he also worked for JMK-Oxfam as Public Health Engineer Officer. His work involved building water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in affected area in Central Sulawesi, undertaking needs assessment while maintaining good relations with stakeholders in respective area.

Ajeng Wulandari, or Ajeng, was born and raised in Jakarta. Currently, Ajeng lives in the Netherlands where she completed her master’s degree in Global Health from Maastricht University. Interning in UCLG ASPAC, her scope of work includes providing inputs from the public and global health perspective. In the future, Ajeng wants to explore and build a career that combines her passion in health care, race and gender equality with her global health knowledge also helping individuals and groups of people that are in need of aid or assistance. In her spare time, Ajeng does her hobbies, which is playing the piano and making pottery or simply spending time with her two rabbits.

Hardiyani Puspita Sari, or Yani, is our intern with master's degree in Economics from Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB).

Yani likes primary research and has experience joining Kinerja dan Akuntabilitas Guru (KIAT Guru) as an intern of Data Management. Interning in UCLG ASPAC, Yani helps designing the methodology and analysis to monetise the costs and benefits of UCLG ASPAC members, including the LOCALISE SDGs beneficiaries, and to improve the database as needed. Yani also helps preparing content for infographic, website articles, videography, and social media posts for LOCALISE SDGs programme and will also conduct a literature review and secondary data collection. Yani hopes that during this internship, she can make new friends, learn how to write well, and make good infographics.

Mohammad Rizal Ilham Surur, or Rizal, is currently interning under the Member Services. Rizal supports in updating and maintaining the contacts of members, database, and members profile, note taking, and correspondences with UCLG ASPAC members.

Graduating from Universitas Airlangga with major in International Relations, Rizal worked in Bawaslu (election oversight body) of Kediri City. Interning in UCLG ASPAC, Rizal expects to gather and learn about research process, advocacy, project development, and management in promoting SDGs. Rizal has interest in environmental issues, urban development, and creating an impactful social movement in environmental matters, and fruitful sustainable policies to people. In spare time, Rizal loves going to movies, having discussion on current issues, writing, cooking, and photography. He enjoys creating film with his community.