Ravi Menon is the Institute of Policy Studies' 9th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore. This book is an edited collection of his four IPS-Nathan Lectures, delivered in July 2021, and includes highlights of his question-and-answer segments with our virtual audience.
Mr Menon examines how Singapore will come under pressure from four tectonic shifts altering the global landscape. Although still relevant, Singapore's guiding ethos of adaptation, meritocracy, and pragmatism may no longer be sufficient. To secure our future, we will need more innovation, inclusion, and inspiration. What does an innovative economy look like? What does it take to create a more inclusive society? What does it mean to be an inspiring nation? How does it all hold together in a refreshed Singapore Synthesis?
The IPS-Nathan Lecture series was launched in 2014 as part of the S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore. It seeks to advance public understanding and discussion of issues of critical national interest for Singapore.
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Sample Chapter(s)
Foreword
Contents:
- Foreword
- About the Moderators
- About the Cover Illustrator
- Lecture I — The Four Horsemen
- Lecture II — An Innovative Economy
- Lecture III — An Inclusive Society
- Lecture IV — An Inspiring Nation
- Bibliography
- Index
Readership: General readers interested in issues facing Singapore and Singapore's future.
"Ravi Menon offers imagination for a sustainably successful Singapore going forward. He offers exciting possibilities for open minds, anxious hearts, and willing hands. Read the book to see how the gap can be bridged between where we have been and where we need to go as a nation and as a people."
Lim Siong Guan
Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
Chairman, Honour (Singapore)
Former Group President, GIC
Former Head, Singapore Civil Service
"I am a friend and fan of Ravi Menon. This is a brilliant book and I recommend it to everyone who loves Singapore."
Tommy Koh
Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations
"Ravi Menon's lectures boldly span the entire breadth of Singapore as an economy, a society, and a nation to arrive at an eloquent and inspirational vision for a 'better Singapore' which can meet future challenges. With a simple yet compelling style, this book tackles deep issues in a way which anyone interested in Singapore's future — whether student, policy-maker, public intellectual, or general layman — will find both insightful, refreshing and inspiring."
Ho Kwon Ping
Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Singapore Management University
Ravi Menon is Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), where he has led reforms of the financial regulatory framework and initiated strategies to promote skills training, green finance and FinTech in the financial sector.
Mr Menon was previously Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (2007–2011), where he implemented measures to support the economy during the Global Financial Crisis; and Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Finance (2003–2007), where he reviewed how the government should invest and spend its foreign reserves.
A recipient of the Singapore Government's Meritorious Service Medal and Public Administration (Gold) Medal, Mr Menon has served on several boards in the public, private and people sectors.
An active participant in international central banking and financial regulatory communities, Mr Menon is a member of the G20's Financial Stability Board (FSB) Steering Committee, and previously chaired the FSB's Standing Committee on Standards Implementation (2013–2017).
