Bonding Singapore

Managing Ethnic Diversity

Managing Ethnic Diversity

• 4.1 Building National Identity

• 4.2 Safeguarding the Interests of the Minority Groups

• 4.3 Developing Common Space

4.1 Building National Identity

• Multi-Racialism

• Common Practices

• Bilingualism

Multi-racialism

• Policy of multi-racialism promotes equality among all races

• No special rights granted

• Equal opportunities to succeed

• Favouring a certain group is prohibited

• Since everyone is a valued member of Singapore, a sense of national identity is created

Common Practices

• Actions that Singaporeans carry out together

• Examples– Singing the National Anthem– Taking the pledge

• Helps foster national identity

Bilingualism

• Introduced in 1966

• Students expected to learn English and Mother Tongue

• English is used as a bridge between the races

• Mother Tongue used to impart moral values and traditions

4.2 Safeguarding the interests of the minority

• Minority Representation

• Self-Help groups

Minority Representation

• Gives minority groups a say in governance• Examples

– Presidential Council on Minority Rights (PMCR)

– Group Representation Constituency (GRC)

• PMCR consists of members from minority racial and religious groups

• PMCR ensures that no race or religion is disadvantaged

Minority Representation

• GRC ensures that at least one candidate contesting in the General Election is a minority

• GRC system ensures that minorities are represented in government

• Concerns and needs of the minority groups are made known in government

Self-help Groups

• Different groups for different minorities– Chinese Development Assistance Council

(CDAC)– Singapore Indian Development Association

(SINDA)– Mendaki– Eurasian Association

• Help members of their community who are less fortunate get aid

Self-help Groups

• Help give moral support• Help Singaporeans to cope and compete

with one another on equal footing• Help people from minorities improve their

social and economic positions• Since 2002, different groups have

embarked on joint projects• This provides opportunity for youths from

different ethnic backgrounds to interact

4.3 Developing Common Space

• Events and programmes organised by grassroots organisations

• Opportunities offered by educational institutions• Common living space provided by public

housing• Activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence

Circes (IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs)• Shared experience through National Service

Events and programmes organised by grassroots organisations

• Grassroots organisations such as People’s Association (PA)

• Wide range of programmes to cater to needs and interests of Singaporeans

• Example– Home visit / Home Stay– Allow participants to better understand other

cultures and customs– Strong friendships can be built

Opportunities offered by educational institutions

• Educational institutions are open to all• Students from different races and religions

study together• Lessons and school activities cultivate and

strengthen friendships• Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) help

promote closer bonds• Students learn to appreciate one another’s

talents and respect each other

Common living space provided by public housing

• In 1980s, too many people from the same racial group were living in the same estate

• This hindered bonding • In 1989, ethnic integration policy

introduced• This puts a limit on the proportion of races

in every neighbourhood and block.• Living together provides opportunities for

people from different groups to interact

Activities conducted by IRCCs and HCs

• IRCCs introduced in Jan 2002• Activties of IRCCs include visits to places

of worship• Opportunities created to appreciate

differences and develop strong bonds between different groups

• Workplace inter-religious and inter-racial activities carried out by HCs

• Helps build confidence and friendships

Shared experience through National Service

• National Service introduced in 1967

• Shared experiences going through military training

• Strengthens bonds among men