Honoring and recognising our integration and naturalisation champions

Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef and Mr David Tay, Advisors to the PA Integration Council

Mr Goh Peng Hong, Chairman of the PA Integration Council

Mr Desmond Tan, Chief Executive Director of the PA

Presidents and Representatives of the Immigrants and Clan Associations

Integration and Naturalisation Champions and Grassroots Leaders

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Good evening. It is my pleasure to be here again at the PA INClusive Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Nite 2017.

2. Congratulations to PA Integration and Naturalisation Champions, or INCs, on reaching this milestone of your 10th anniversary. Thank you very much for your contributions!

Singapore: A multicultural community

3. Long before our birth as a nation, Singapore has welcomed people to our shores, initially for trade, for jobs and eventually to make this place their home. Although our forefathers came from different lands, they were united by a common vision to seek a better life for themselves and their families.

4. Over the years, inter-mixing of different cultures has enriched our society and our lives in many ways. Multi-culturalism has become a defining trait of Singapore today. It is a strength we continue to celebrate, as our heritage and identity continue to evolve. At the same time, we must be mindful that our differences do not become a source of disunity. We have seen how fault lines in other societies are causing political and economic upheavals. Singaporeans must remain cohesive and united. In this respect, we must continue to build positive local-foreigner relationships.

5. While newcomers to our shores are expected to adapt to Singapore society, transitioning to a new way of life can be challenging. This is why members of the community play a pivotal role in connecting with immigrants, forging friendships and supporting them in adapting to a new home, and a new way of life.

6. It is important for both Singaporeans and newcomers to remain open and inclusive, respect one another and practise give-and-take. Integration need not come at the expense of diluting the richness of our distinct cultures. It is about accepting and celebrating one another’s culture, and giving others space to practise their religions, customs and lifestyles, even as we observe our own. This makes Singapore a safe place to live, work and play in. It makes our society resilient.

Celebrating 10 years of promoting integration

7. Over the years, integration has been a shared responsibility among Singaporeans. At the national level, the National Integration Council coordinates efforts across different sectors, including workplaces, media, schools and community.

8. At the grassroots level, PA has worked hard to promote harmony and cohesion. In 2007, the INCs were formed to spearhead the engagement of newcomers in their neighbourhoods.

9. Since then, the number of INCs has more than doubled, from 640 to over 1,400 today. They provide many new platforms and opportunities for Singaporeans and new immigrants to interact and build relationships. For example, last year, more than 25,000 Singaporeans and newcomers joined various “One Community Fiestas” at their GRCs to connect and learn more about our country.  Additionally, INCs worked with Immigrant Associations and grassroots organisations to co-create community service projects. Since its implementation in 2015, 100 ‘Happy Projects’ were organised for about 10,000 elderly and residents in need, with another 57 projects planned this year.

10. The INCs’ work has received positive feedback. A post-engagement survey carried out earlier this year on the RC/NC Chit-Chat Sessions showed that more than 96% of participants gained a stronger appreciation of other cultures and practices in Singapore.

11. It is also heartening to see many new immigrants being inspired to give back to the community. Over the past three years, close to 4,700 newcomers engaged by the INCs became grassroots volunteers themselves.

12. It is therefore fitting that we celebrate a decade of INCs’ contributions by honouring pioneer INCs and recognising outstanding INC committee projects.
    
    Honouring Our Pioneer INCs

13. As individuals, INCs play an important role in modelling positive local-foreigner relationships. Fabian Ng, a pioneer INC member from 2008, is a trail blazer in promoting partnership and experimenting with new ideas. Under his leadership, the Radin Mas INC successfully worked with immigrant associations, schools and community groups to organise a Halloween event last year. The event brought together 2,000 residents from all walks of life.

14. Increasingly, many new immigrants are stepping forward to contribute to their new home, here in Singapore.  One such volunteer is Moorthy, a naturalised immigrant from India who came to Singapore in 1993.  Appointed as INC member in 2007, he introduced blood donation drives during Pongal celebrations to inspire a culture of giving among residents. Today, he is the Leader of Bukit Panjang IN Committee and a member of the PA Integration Council. His team continues to organise activities to promote cultural integration while raising funds for underprivileged members of the community.
    
    Recognising Outstanding IN Committees

15. When individuals like Fabian and Moorthy come together, our efforts are multiplied manifold. Our INCs are undertaking commendable work to effect positive social change. This evening, we recognise 20 outstanding IN Committees and integration projects. Among these committees, nine will be given the “Exemplary IN Committee” award, a new award introduced this year to recognise committees’ consistent outreach and engagement efforts over the past three years. My heartiest congratulations to all the winners.  Let me share with you the exciting work that two of the winning committees are doing.

16. The Paya Lebar IN Committee promotes integration through community service. Early this year, it brought together 180 new immigrant volunteers, Hua Yuan Association members and Temasek Polytechnic students to launch a charity drive called “City of Sharing”. Participants collected canned and dry food rations and distributed them to 1,000 underprivileged residents. The Committee is now partnering other grassroots organisations and associations on more activities for elderly residents, giving newcomers opportunities to step forward and contribute to the community.

17.  The Marine Parade IN Committee is another passionate team working tirelessly to organise innovative programmes, such as the first-ever “Elephant Parade” in the heartlands, where residents came together to paint life-size elephant statues with designs depicting our national identity. In 2013, the committee brought together 650 local residents and newcomers for three months to sew a 16m by 10m patchwork blanket for charity.

18.  I congratulate all winners, and thank all champions for your dedication and contribution.

Sustaining efforts and deepening engagement

19. Our present state of harmony and social cohesion was not achieved overnight. We cannot take it for granted; it is a constant work in progress.

20. We need to look for innovative ways to engage newcomers, be it through sharing of Singapore’s norms, behaviors and customs, or introducing them to our rich heritage. There are also numerous opportunities in the arts, cultural, heritage, sports and volunteerism sectors to engage new immigrants.

21. To deepen engagement, we must continue to grow and strengthen partnerships with community organisations. For example, immigrant associations are increasingly coming to the fold in their role as landing points for newcomers. I encourage all of you to work closely with the associations to facilitate network-building and co-create integration programmes.

22. Going forward, you must continue to adapt to an increasingly diverse population. Our ways of communication have become more complex. With the widespread use of social media, misinformation can spread far more easily. We need to find new ways and tools to enhance community resilience and harmony.

Conclusion

23. Integration is a whole-of-society effort. We appreciate your support in helping newcomers integrate into our society. Your efforts continue to inspire both Singaporeans and new immigrants to form strong friendships with one another, and to celebrate diversity and social harmony in our home. With your support, we can look ahead to Singapore’s future with greater confidence.

24. Once again, my heartiest congratulations and appreciation to all our champions for your achievements over the past 10 years.

25. Thank you, and have a lovely evening!