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National Integration Council

Did you know? Our forefathers came mainly from the Malay Peninsula, the Indonesian Islands, China, the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka. Despite our different backgrounds, Singaporeans were able to build a harmonious society because we recognise and value the importance of accepting and understanding one another.

We need to continue to build bridges and trust among our different community groups, so as to strengthen our social harmony. Thus, the National Integration Council (NIC) was set up in April 2009, to promote public, people and private (3P) sector partnerships for integration, and build a shared future together.

Here are the NIC's goals:

  • Increase awareness of the importance of integration for our continued success as a society and nation
  • Help newcomers adapt to the Singaporean way of life, including helping them better understand local cultures and social norms
  • Grow common spaces and provide platforms for Singaporeans and new immigrants to interact
  • Facilitate the formation of friendships and shared experiences among Singaporeans and non-locals, so as to foster mutual understanding and acceptance through their interactions
  • Foster and deepen emotional attachment and a sense of belonging to Singapore among new immigrants
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Our guiding principles careers-list-arrow

When seeking to foster integration, we are guided by these principles.

  1. Integration is a two-way process. Even as new immigrants make effort to learn about and adapt to local values and norms, locals can help new immigrants adapt by reaching out and helping newcomers understand our local culture and way of life.
  2. This means that everyone has a role to play! Whether in our neighbourhood, at school, the workplace or other social spheres, we can make a difference by reaching out, establishing a connection and building mutual understanding. No effort is too small.
  3. Integration is a continual process. Newcomers may have spent their formative years in another country, and will need time to learn about and adapt to our local norms and way of life. Sustained engagement and support are therefore important.

NIC members careers-list-arrow

The NIC team is made up of members from the public, people and private sectors sectors who meet regularly to brainstorm on strategies and programmes to improve integration.

Meet the Council Members:

  1. Mr Edwin Tong
    Chairman, National Integration Council
    Minister for Culture, Community and Youth
  2. Mr Alvin Tan
    Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
  3. Ms Charlotte Thng
    Head, Human Resources, Singapore, Australia & ASA Cluster Markets, Standard Chartered Bank
  4. Ms Gan Siow Huang
    Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower
  5. Ms Han Yong May
    Editor, NewsHub, Chinese Media Group, Singapore Press Holdings
  6. Ms Indranee Rajah
    Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development
  7. Ms Ivy Lai
    Chief Executive Officer, Philips Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd
  8. Dr Janil Puthucheary
    Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications & Information and Ministry of Transport
    Chairman, OnePeople.sg
  9. Dr Leong Chan-Hoong
    Head of Policy Development, Evaluation, and Data Analytics, Kantar Public
  10. Mr Jimmy Toh
    Chief Executive Director, People’s Association
  11. Mr Lim Kok Kiang
    Principal & CEO/ Ngee Ann Polytechnic
  12. Mr Lim Teck Chuan
    NTUC Central Committee Member & General Secretary, Advanced Manufacturing Employees’ Union
  13. Prof Ling San
    Provost, Nanyang Technological University
  14. Mr Masagos Zulkifli
    Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
  15. Mr Mayank Parekh
    Advisor, Institute for Human Resource Professionals
  16. A/P Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim
    Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development
  17. Mr Ng Chee Meng
    Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress
  18. Ms Roshni Mahtani Cheung
    Group CEO and Founder, theAsianParent.com
  19. Ms Sabanitha Shanmugasundram
    Head, Indian Audience, Mediacorp
  20. Ms Sandra Theseira
    President, Eurasian Association
  21. Mr Saw Ken Wye
    Senior Advisor, CrimsonLogic Pte Ltd
  22. Mr Syed Zakir Hussain
    Political and Singapore Editor, The Straits Times
  23. Ms Tan Lek Hwa
    Chief Editor, English Current Affairs, Mediacorp
  24. Dr Tan See Leng
    Minister for Manpower & Second Minister for Trade & Industry
  25. Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng
    President, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clans Association
  26. Ms Tracey Ho
    Director, Atticus Consulting Pte Ltd

Community Integration Fund careers-list-arrow

The Community Integration Fund (CIF) was launched by the NIC in September 2009 to support organisations in organising ground-up integration initiatives. You can find more information on the CIF page.

Singapore Citizenship Journey careers-list-arrow

Did you know? New naturalised citizens who have been granted in-principle approval for Singapore citizenship have to undergo a mandatory programme. It consists of both online elements as well as experiential learning programmes, and culminates in a citizenship ceremony to officially welcome naturalised citizens as full-fledged members of the Singaporean family.

Find out more about the Singapore Citizenship Journey.

Resources careers-list-arrow

Visit the Integration Resources page for more information.
Last updated on 08 March 2022