SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

The socio-economic component is the focus of SERI's concerns. One of Seri's earliest projects was the Socioeconomic Study of the Indian Community in Penang, commissioned by the Penang State Government. Based on results of this study, several actions were initiated, among which is the formation of the Special Working Committee on Tamil Schools under the Penang Educational Consultative Council (PECC). A second socioeconomic study was conducted on the pig-farming industry to evaluate its problems and sustainability after an outbreak of the Nipah virus that devastated many pig farms in Malaysia.

SERI also provides monthly economic briefing to the State Government, as well as produces the Quarterly Penang Statistics. A fortnightly round-up on the regional economy is presented in the Asian Economic Outlook.

Other significant SERI involvements are the formulation of the Malaysian Small and Medium Scale Industries Development Plan, concentrating on the electronics and electrical sector, as well as the Penang State Innovation Survey in collaboration with the University of Hannover, Germany. (top)

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GOOD GOVERNANCE

Penang Strategic Development Plan 2 (PSDP2)
SERI is involved in formulating a strategic plan to guide development for Penang in the next decade, for 2001-2010. To start the process for this important planning exercise, several sessions with governmental officials were held to lay the groundwork. Subsequently, SERI organized a very successful three-day strategic planning retreat at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort for State Executive Members, Municipal Council Members, Penang Development Corporation and Penang Regional Development Authority. (top)

People-Friendly Penang Initiative
In collaboration with the Municipal Council of Penang, the People-Friendly Penang Initiative project focuses on promoting and supporting the principles of good governance. It aims to make Penang barrier-free and accessible to children, disabled people and the elderly, specifically through roundtables and the establishment of demonstration sites. (top)

Penang Local Government Consultative Forum

SERI is appointed as the secretariat to the Penang Local Government Consultative Forum which aims to garner input of community groups, non-governmental organizations and other civil society representatives on how to improve the functioning of local government in the State. Activities of the Forum include conducting a citizens' survey, holding a capacity building workshop, creating a website on urban governance to be linked to the municipal councils, and developing other action plans to address critical issues. (top)

Sustainable Independent Living And Access (SILA)
The Sustainable Independent Living and Access (SILA) program was formed in February 1998 as a result of the SPI Roundtable on Social Justice. Receiving financial support from UN ESCAP and ABILIS Foundation. SILA aims to promote a non-handicapping environment in Penang and has initiated many activities to build up the capabilities of people with disabilities and to enhance public awareness of the needs of the disabled. Click here for more information on this project. (top)

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ENVIRONMENT

Sustainable Penang Initiative (SPI)
The Sustainable Penang Initiative was funded by CIDA through the Canada-ASEAN Governance Innovations Network Program (CAGIN), which is co-ordinated by the Institute On Governance (IOG). The SPI is also supported by UNDP and UN ESCAP.

The SPI sought to establish a process for public consultation in developing and using sustainable indicators for monitoring the development of Penang. It involved five roundtables that covered ecological sustainability, social justice, economic productivity, cultural vibrancy and popular participation. Additional roundtables were also held to encourage more input from the Malay and Chinese communities. At the final People's Forum, report cards identifying the key indicators were presented to the Government and the public. Click here for more information on the project. (top)

Sustainable Transport Environment Penang (STEP)
The Sustainable Transport Environment Penang (STEP), another spin-off of the SPI, is a focal point of the Sustainable Transport Action Network. STEP intends to promote environmental-friendly and affordable access to all. Funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, STEP has embarked on a cycling study to identify and demarcate cycling paths in Penang, in close co-operation with the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP). (top)

Water Watch Penang (WWP)
Water Watch Penang (WWP) was established after concerns over Penang's water quality and availability, as well as flooding problems, were raised during SPI roundtables. WWP aims to promote research, public awareness and education on water resources. Working in partnership with the Penang Water Supply Corporation and various authorities, WWP hopes that Penang will have better management plans in the future and that the citizens of Penang will learn to treasure their water resources. Click here for more information on this project. (top)

Green Productivity
Together with the National Productivity Corporation, SERI co-organized a training workshop on green productivity to identify ways to save costs and minimize wastes, and to improve productivity. SERI plans to promote the green productivity concept to more industries in Penang. (top)

Management Board of Botanic Gardens
SERI was invited to be a member of the Management Board of the Penang Botanic Gardens to provide input in developing and maintaining the Gardens based on environmentally sound principles, and is currently involved in finding ways to address the problems caused by the feeding of monkeys in the vicinity. (top)

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EDUCATION

Penang Educational Consultative Council (PECC)
SERI serves as the Secretariat for the Penang Educational Consultative Council (PECC) to assist the Penang State Government in developing Penang into a center of excellence for education. Several working committees were set up under the PECC, including the Pre-school, International and Private Schools, Tertiary Education, Non-formal and Special Needs, Arts Education, and Tamil Schools Working Committees. Among the many programs launched by these committees are the Bureau of Learning Difficulties (BOLD), Penang Association for Continuing Education (PACE), and the Arts Education 2000. (top)

Bureau on Learning Difficulties (BOLD)
The Bureau on Learning Difficulties (BOLD) focuses on children who need more attention and special education programs. The various activities BOLD has organized include talks, workshops and training sessions for teachers and parents on learning difficulties, dyslexia, hyperactive children, and multiple intelligences. Besides facilitating these programs, BOLD produces and disseminates information on the various types of learning difficulties. BOLD's office at the Penang Caring Society Complex houses many books and materials for further reference. To learn more about BOLD and its activities, click here. (top)

Penang Association for Continuing Education (PACE)
The Penang Association for Continuing Education is set up based on the firm belief that education is a life-long process, and that continuous learning should be available to a broad spectrum of society. To fulfill its objective of promoting such a culture of continuous learning, PACE offers a series of talks and workshops covering diverse areas such as personal growth, cultural enrichment, leisure activities, spiritual development, and community building. To learn more about Pace and its activities, click here. (top)

Arts Education Program
Recognizing the positive impacts of the arts on intellectual, social, moral, cultural and personal developments, PECC has started an Arts Education Program to provide more opportunities for the children of Penang to be exposed to other ways of learning and appreciating the arts. A year-long series offering drama, visual arts, dance, music and video production activities is available outside regular school schedules to complement formal education. (top)

Science Pilot Project
A pilot project on raising interest in science and technology was launched for about 30 secondary school students to participate in a series of activities. Examples of these activities include an interactive visit to the Science Museum in Universiti Sains Malaysia, a nature walk in the Penang Botanic Gardens, a talk and demonstration of scientific elements of drugs and alcohol abuse, a camping trip to Pantai Acheh to measure some environmental parameters, exposure to astronomy, and an industrial heritage walk and talk. Plans to extend this project to more schools are being discussed. (top)

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Other Projects

Anak-Anak Kota
Anak-anak Kota is a very special non-profit community project involving children living in the inner city of Georgetown, Penang. It is offered free of charge to all children living in the inner city. The objective of the Anak-anak Kota is to help young people living in Georgetown to understand and appreciate how their cultural identity is rooted in the trade, craftsmanship, food, language, custom and architecture of the inner city and how to view this heritage as an asset.

A total of 150-200 children, aged 10-16 from diverse communities (Indian, Chinese and Malay) within the inner city of Georgetown Penang, participated in several 'Heritage Arts Projects' from October 2001- December 2001. The arts projects that have been offered include videography, photography, visual art, dance, music, rubbing etc. Children worked in groups of 10-15 with a professional artist, assisted by facilitators. Most of the projects involved practical projects carried out on the streets in the city. For year 2002, this project will still be offered to school children from March 2002-November 2002. (top)