Singapore Perspectives 2010

The following sections are included:

• Contents

• Foreword

• Acknowledgements

• Editor's Acknowledgements

The following sections are included:

• Conference Concept

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This panel examines Singapore's development and nation-building in relation to social cohesion. Recent public discussions on the national pledge and the increasing number of immigrants and new Singaporeans have raised questions about the strength of our social fabric. Within a changing social landscape, more interest groups are emerging. It is timely to critically assess the policies and practices that aim to deliver the ideal of "one united people". Can Singaporeans maintain civilities and let different viewpoints and practices flourish? Some Singaporeans are inclined towards a different approach. How can we balance the aspirations of Singaporeans in an increasingly differentiated "Home"?

When I was first asked to chair this panel discussion on the topic, "One United People", I ran it past some friends to get their opinion."Aren't Singaporeans a pretty united bunch?" was the typical reaction from my non-Singaporean friends. "No one's hurling bombs at churches here. There are no demonstrations to speak of. What's the worry?"…

The following sections are included:

• MAKING VIRTUOSITY OF COLONIAL RACIALISM

• MAKING VIRTUOSITY OF CONSUMER CAPITALISM

• DIALOGUE VERSES THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF FEAR

• BUILDING MULTICULTURAL CAPACITY

The following sections are included:

• NEWATER AND TOILET WATER

• WHY GOOD STORIES MAKE GOOD POLICIES

• INTRODUCTION

• SINGAPORE AND AUSTRALIA: COMPARABLE?

• "YUCK! I CAN'T DRINK THIS"

• POLICY AS NARRATIVE

• CONCLUSION

The following sections are included:

• THREE STORIES

• REASON AND RATIONALITY

• THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONS

• GOODWILL AND GOOD WILL

• IDEALS, PRAGMATISM AND POLICY

• CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Considerable efforts to foster a greater sense of civic mindedness through the years underscore the importance of graciousness in Singaporean society. Does a mere understanding of differences lead to the maintenance and development of Singapore's cultural and social resilience? How can we have more "Heart" and bond with each other without a top-down prescription? Are we managing the problems of the different segments of the population and their needs? Graciousness is not just about our daily social interactions; it is also about being aware of how our lifestyles impact the common environment we inhabit. Do Singaporeans care about healthy living and sustainable development? This panel will focus on these issues and consider the scope for more "heartware" in an increasingly competitive society.

I felt that this session is perhaps one of the most exciting sessions because the notion of being "gracious" has caught the attention of headlines. Just today, we were informed by The Straits Times that we are a dirty city because the beaches are littered. If not for the very very hardworking pool of labourers, we would probably be living in a very dirty country. This panel is going to engage you in a discourse on graciousness. Graciousness is, from a sociological perspective, an abstract construct because it is one of those mental imageries where, when we invoke the term, everybody immediately knows or seems to know what we are talking about. However, when it comes to concrete operationalisation, we defer. So perhaps that is one reason why the notion of graciousness is so elusive…

The following sections are included:

• INTRODUCTION: A JOURNEY TOWARDS NATIONHOOD

• CREATING A "CIVILISED" AND "CULTURED" SOCIETY WITH THE ARTS

• THE NATIONAL COURTESY CAMPAIGN

• CONCLUSION: FROM NATIONAL TO GLOBAL CONSCIOUSNESS?

• REFERENCES

The following sections are included:

• HOW TO EMBRACE GRACIOUSNESS

The following sections are included:

• DISAPPOINTMENT, DILEMMA, DECISION

• EDUCATED, OR MERELY LITERATE AND NUMERATE?

• LOOKING AT THE WORLD WITH DIFFERENT LENSES
  • Lack of Awareness v. Lack of Respect for Others
  • Diffusion of Responsibility v. Disempowerment
  • Approval Seeking v. Embarrassment Avoidance

• KEEPING HOPE ALIVE
  • See the Good
  • Know Yourself, Govern Yourself

A global city is highly connected to the world and wields socio-economic influence through its many linkages. Several international indices have ranked Singapore amongst the world's top cities. This panel looks at what is required to sustain Singapore's success and maintain its economic competitiveness in a constantly changing global environment, especially given the increasing concerns over climate change and its implications for society. What are the economics of a global city in a region where every country wants to be a powerhouse? How does social stability in Singapore contribute to and reinforce the country's growing status as an important node in the global economy? Going into the future, is there a bright horizon for Singapore's growth strategies?

The economics panel is the last panel for the day and is placed last because it is a critical panel. I have a wonderful group of speakers and, in a little while, I will tell you why you are so privileged.

As I sat through the discussions today, I realised that you have been a great audience. There is plenty of engagement but that is not good enough for me. As with all panels that I moderate, I require a higher level of engagement from those of you remaining in the hall at this juncture of the conference. The Global City is a very important theme and we will get increasingly global as Singapore moves forward. There is no running away from this phenomenon. From 2005 to 2009, 150,000 foreigners migrated to Singapore each year. We now have a population of five million and, by some estimates, a third of our 6.8% growth in the last five years came from the fact that we have a growing population…

The following sections are included:

• INTRODUCTION

• ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TALENT

• PLACE MARKETING SINGAPORE

• CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN SINGAPORE

• LOW FERTILITY RATE AND THE NEED FOR IMMIGRANTS

• SINGAPORE AS A GLOBAL CITY

• SINGAPORE ICONS

• CONCLUSION

• REFERENCES

The following sections are included:

• SUCCESSFUL GROWTH MODEL, WITH LOOMING PITFALL

• LOW TAX RATE

• AGEING POPULATION POSES FRESH CHALLENGES

• UNAVOIDABLE HIGH COST OF LIVING

• PROPOSAL: ONE BORDERLESS ASEAN

The following sections are included:

• INTRODUCTION

• THE EMERGENCE OF SINGAPORE AS GLOBAL CITY-STATE

• BEYOND 2010: FROM GLOBAL CITY-STATE TO A GLOBAL INNOVATIVE KNOWLEDGE CLUSTER

• IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE PUBLIC POLICIES

• REFERENCES

There are many things to be said arising from this year's Singapore Perspectives conference, but let me try to do a five-minute wrap-up of the day. And I would like to invite Professor Tommy Koh to say a few words after this. He has been our guru and IPS has been indebted to him for all the work, time and effort he has given to the Institute. I told him he has only five minutes so that we all leave this room on schedule!…

I was not planning to say anything today but since Keng Yong has very generously requested me to bring this successful Perspectives to a sweet conclusion, I will follow my wife's good advice and make three points.

First, I want to thank Keng Yong for empowering our young colleagues in the Institute of Policy Studies by entrusting to them the responsibility for conceptualising this year's Perspectives. I do not know whether you have noticed it or not, but Keng Yong has also empowered women, because the chairpersons of all three panels today — Pek Siok Lian, Paulin Tay Straughan and Annie Koh — are women…

The following sections are included:

• About the Contributors