The Coca-Cola Company is not only striving to remain the leader in the beverage industry, but is also extending its international presence in entertainment, social and educational spheres. In addition to its numerous charitable campaigns and projects, focused on alleviating hunger and providing medical support and clean water to poor communities in developing countries, the company introduces initiatives, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and the importance of education. As part of this ongoing commitment, on August 17, Coca-Cola launched Indonesia’s first metropolitan-based learning center called ‘Learning Lounge’ at Plaza Semanggi in Jakarta, which will provide local youth with an opportunity to realize their full intellectual potential.
The Lounge was launched on Tuesday by Muhtar Kent, The Coca-Cola Company’s CEO, Fasli Jalal, Vice Minister of Education Republic of Indonesia, Alfitra Salam, Deputy Field of Youth Leadership, Ministry of Youth and Sport Republic of Indonesia and other officials. The new center was created in cooperation with Dewi Hughes International Foundation, another provider of education opportunities to local young people, who want to achieve more in their life thanks to studying. According to the press release, “the Lounge is specially designed to provide a modern welcoming space for Jakarta’s youth to gather as a center for positive learning activities. It is equipped with books and IT facilities providing a variety of information which is relevant to young people, such as environment, healthy active living, skills building and inspirational materials.” The new space will be open in the mall working hours every day, thus providing younger Indonesian with an opportunity with access to new technologies and information.
The new space was opened as part of the Learning Center program, an initiative launched by the Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia back in 2000. For 11 years of operation, the program created 33 community learning centers across the country—it turns public libraries into places, where young people can learn actively, not just read.
«Coca-Cola believes that each of us can play a role in making a positive change to in the communities we serve. Today, I am proud to bring positive values to the Jakarta community by opening a facility designed to inspire Indonesian young people to achieve their potential and foster positive change in society,» commented Muhtar Kent.