JAKARTA (Feb. 12, 2010) – The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta is holding a competition for its 30,000 Facebook fans to find the biggest fans of the month before the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Indonesia.The competition is to find who the top fan – the “President” – of the Embassy’s Facebook fan page is, by encouraging fans to promote the page, telling their friends about what the Embassy is doing by including the status tag “@U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia.”
President Obama and his family will make a state visit to Indonesia in the second half of March 2010, according to a White House announcement, as part of a continued effort to broaden and strengthen the partnerships necessary to advance security and prosperity.
The contest runs from February 12 until March 12, 2010, and participants have a chance to win cutting-edge gadgets, books about the United States, and U.S. Embassy logo items. Microsoft and Starbucks have donated prizes for the competition, including a Samsung Omnia Pro B-7320 smart phone, Microsoft Office 2007 software, a LifeCam Cinema HD camera, and vouchers for coffee at any of the 75 Starbucks locations throughout Indonesia.
It regularly hosts fan-only contests to win tickets to American cultural programs and events. The Facebook fan page was also where the Embassy first released news about the March visit of President Obama, several hours before officially releasing the information to the media.
The U.S. Embassy also uses other online technologies to connect directly to the Indonesian people, including its official webpage, Twitter account, a branded YouTube channel with over 300 videos, and an online visa appointment system.
Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country, the third largest democracy; is home to the largest Muslim population in the world; and an important partner in the G20.
During his visit the President will formally launch the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, an initiative through which the United States will broaden and strengthen relations with Indonesia to tackle important regional and global issues.
U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume welcomed the news and said the trip will symbolize the growing importance that ties to Indonesia holds for the US.
“President Obama’s visit will help our two countries build a 21st Century Partnership for a 21st Century World,“ the Ambassador said.
“The visit will give the President a good opportunity to see firsthand all the progress Indonesia has made, and to advance the growing US-Indonesia comprehensive partnership based on common interests,” the Ambassador said. “We look forward to working closely with President Yudhoyono and the government and people of Indonesia to welcome President Obama and his family.”
For further information on Embassy activities visit https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/embassy/u-s-embassy-in-jakarta-indonesia/
