Meet Rebecca Riley, wife of US Ambassador to ASEAN, David Carden, a humanitarian and fascinating all-round.
David and I moved to Jakarta in spring 2011.
How did you like Indonesia, or Jakarta, in particular, to date ?
I find Jakarta as hard as anyone else as a place to live, but I look for the many pleasures here and ignore the frustrations. I try to transform everyday problems such as trafficking in question, "If you were in charge, what would you do?"
A few years ago you were vice-president of the MacArthur Foundation. What are some of the highlights of your involvement in the foundation?
I oversaw grants to NGOs working in urban planning, community development, arts and culture, and public education. I miss the work, but honestly have enjoyed having time to explore new places and learn new things.
Your husband is one of the most important people in the US-ASEAN relationship. Elaborate a bit on the Mission of the United States to ASEAN, please.
is responsible for the implementation of US foreign policy objectives here related problems and significant opportunities for this part of the world. Given the wide range of issues it addresses - trade and the rule of law, sustainable urban planning, and including wildlife trafficking - and the various individuals and institutions with whom and with whom he worked ( diplomats, companies, government officials, NGOs), our life here is always intellectually stimulating and socially diverse.
Are there any experiences that you're particularly excited about in the performance of your duties as a spouse of the Ambassador of the United States to ASEAN?
One of the privileges of being a diplomat assigned to ASEAN is the wonderful "family" to which we belong; representatives of 10 member countries and 10 ASEAN dialogue partners. Every year we organize a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner for our friends in ASEAN, and in turn, we celebrate the days and events that define the rich traditional cultures throughout the single ASEAN.
You are also active in the Society of Indonesian heritage. What the Society of Indonesian heritage and what it represents?
This wonderful volunteer organization is an open invitation to anyone curious to learn about Indonesia in all its varied splendor.
What are the current projects by the Heritage Society? All projects that you're particularly proud and very interested?
With my Indonesian co-chairman, Anya Robertson, and a committee of volunteers from Indonesia and abroad, I using current monthly programs that bring interesting speakers in private homes to share their unique expertise regarding some aspects of Indonesian culture, history or current events. Called Rumahku (my house), these intimate events have created very special occasions; young Indonesian architects Rumah Ansa shared their work in preserving traditional architecture around the archipelago, American scientist Steve Lansing shared operation of Balinese Subak System (now a landscape of world heritage UNESCO), and writer and producer Ahmad Tohari Shanty Harmayn-Hoffman discussed the realization of their film the Dancer . These programs are open to all members of IHS and IHS membership is open to all those interested in learning more about Indonesia.
You travel around Asia in Indonesia or South as a whole?
I go with David when there are long weekends to enjoy or when there are fewer meetings to absorb his time. This is one of the most interesting and exciting parts of the world to visit and remember the other often how lucky we are to have this be our "work" to travel here. I stay in Bandung where I trained for the certification of Pilates, and enjoyed Bali and Yogyakarta. But mostly, my Indonesian Travel is in and around Jakarta. I am an avid photographer and will spend the rest of my life through the sorting and organization of thousands of visual images that I have gathered here. I had both my writing and photographs published here and I am hopeful that when I go home, I can continue to work productively at a time.
Tell us a little about your family and home life in the United States.
I have two adult children in the United States. My daughter, Meredith, works for a media production company and my son, Dylan, works for a financial analysis firm. Both live in New York. David and I have a very old house (built in 1724) in rural Rhode Island. When it was built, the Dutch were in control of Indonesia and America was a British colony.
with you and your husband are in Indonesia, how do you stay in touch with the kids? Do you often visit?
We rely on email, Instagram, and a free phone Vonage to keep in touch, as well as regular trips I make back to the States to check on family, friends, and the two dogs I left behind. Being away from your children - even those who are clearly adults - is a challenge for us all in the diplomatic community. Fortunately, my children also love to travel and have seen much of South Asia before our mission ends here.
What will you do when your husband assignment in ASEAN comes to a finish?
I'll go home and be grateful for the opportunity we had to feed the US diplomatic mission to ASEAN, even for a short period of time. And I will put Chinese blue and white dishes that I collected here next to those who came to America years on various trade routes - I admire how small the world is really