BONDING SINGAPORE

CHALLENGES FACED IN MULTI-ETHNIC SINGAPORE

Focus of Chapter

Focus 1: What are the Challenges of a multi-ethnic society?

Focus 2: Can ethnic diversity be managed?

Focus 3: Why is it important to manage ethnic diversity?

Today’s Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson you will be able to:• Identify different methods/ policies

implemented by the government to manage

ethnic diversity • Explain different methods/ policies

implemented by the government to manage

ethnic diversity

HOW DOES SINGAPORE MANAGE ETHNIC DIVERSITY?

Building a National Identity

Safeguarding the interests of minority

groups

Developing Common Space

How does Singapore Manage Ethnic Diversity?

BUILDING A NATIONAL IDENTITYMULTI-RACIALISM

Multi-racialism refers to the policy whereby everyone, regardless of

their racial or religious background, is given equal opportunities The constitution of Singapore specially forbids anyone from bring

discriminated against because of his/her race or religion This policy helps to create a national identity as everyone is seen as

a valued citizen of the country

Question 1:

a. Watch the following video http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6JqHiHMNo4

b. Write down what does multiracialism mean to you.

BUILDING A NATIONAL IDENTITYCOMMON PRACTICES

Common practices are actions that all Singaporeans carry out

together. These include singing the national anthem and taking

the national pledge Common practices help to build up national identity and develop

loyalty and pride towards the nation. Common practices help

Singaporeans see themselves as one people

BUILDING A NATIONAL IDENTITY

Bilingualism is the policy of learning two languages – English and

Mother Tongue. This policy was introduced into the Singapore school

curriculum in 1966

English was to be the common language of communication for

Singaporeans of different ethnic groups. Mother tongue was to be

used to preserve the cultural traditions of the different ethnic groups

BILINGUALISM

BUILDING A NATIONAL IDENTITY

The policy of bilingualism has contributed to managing ethnic diversity.

Since English was not the native tongue of any group in Singapore, it did

not give an advantage to any one group over the others

Singaporeans’ proficiency in the English language also played key role in

the economic development of Singapore as English is the international

language of commerce

Question 2:

a. Watch the following video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPoFgUU0ePc

b. Is being bilingual good? Why? How can we encourage Singaporeans to

be effectively bilingual?

BILINGUALISM (CONT’D)

SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

MINORITY REPRESENTATION

In multi-ethnic societies, it is important that the minority groups have a

voice in the governance of the country. This voice helps to safeguard

the interests of the minority groups. Singapore has the Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) and

Group Representation Constituency (GRC) to safeguard the interests

of the minority groups.

SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

MINORITY REPRESENTATION (CONT’D)

The Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PMCR) Any law passed by the Parliament in Singapore must have the

assent of the PCMR. The PCMR comprises of leaders from all

communities and their job is to ensure that no law in Singapore

discriminates against the minority races. If the PCMR does not give its assent, the law must be debated

again in Parliament and resubmitted with the discriminating

elements removed

SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

MINORITY REPRESENTATION (CONT’D)

The Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Electoral Constituencies in Singapore are either single-seated or in

groups. Political parties intending to stand in the GRCs must include

member of the minority race in their group. This is to ensure that minority groups will always be represented in

Parliament

Question 3:

a. Watch the following video http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX_Vzl-r8NY

b. What do you think are the consequences if the minority groups are not

given equality in the country?

SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

SELF HELP GROUPS

Self-help groups (SHG) were formed to allow community members to help other members in their communities.

The SHGs in Singapore are: Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), Mendaki and Eurasian Association.

SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

SELF HELP GROUPS (CONT’D)

The SHGs focus primarily in improving the educational

standards of the members of their community by

organizing tuition classes and providing financial aid. The SHGs also help when people need training grants to

prepare themselves for new jobs. SHGs also provide family counselling and give moral

support.

SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

SELF HELP GROUPS (CONT’D)

The SHGs have played a key role in helping members in their

community improve their economic and social standing The different SHGs have also held joint projects that allow the

members from different ethnic groups to come together, to

interact and to better understand one another

Question 4:

a. Go onto some of the websites of the self-help groups

mentioned above and write down some of the programmes

that they have in helping their own racial/ religious groups (at

least 3)

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEGRASSROOTS ORGANISATION

Grassroots organization organize programmes that appeal to all groups and have helped provide common space

The People’s Association (PA) organizes programmes such as home stays. Through this programmes, participants from one ethnic group will stay in the house of another ethnic group to better understand and appreciate their way of life.

Programmes like these help to build mutual respect and strong friendships amongst the different ethnic groups

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEEDUCATIONAL INSTITUITIONS

Schools are excellent examples of common spaces Most of the schools n Singapore are open to all ethnic

groups. This allows students from the different ethnic

groups to study together. Daily interaction allows strong

bonds to be built Co-curricular activities in schools, such as uniformed

groups and sports, also help to build bonds as students

from different ethnic groups have to learn to work in unity

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEPUBLIC HOUSING

The 1980s saw an unhealthy trend happening in housing estates.

As people could buy and sell their HDB flats in the open market, it was observed that people from same ethnic groups were moving into particular housing estates.

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEPUBLIC HOUSING (CONT’D)

As this could seriously affect the opportunities to have common space, the government introduced the ‘ethnic integration policy’ in 1989.

This policy ensured that there was a certain proportion of all races in the housing estates.

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEPUBLIC HOUSING (CONT’D)

Iti s evident that this policy was necessary to create common space so that the different ethnic groups can meet and interact.

Having a common space allows frequent communication to take place and builds understanding among people of different social backgrounds.

As such, conflict is less likely to occur and peace and harmony could be maintained.

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACETHE IRCCs AND HCs

IRCCs and HCs were formed to allow greater opportunities for the different communities to interact.

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACETHE IRCCs AND HCs (CONT’D)

Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs) IRCCs carried out activities

such as organizing visits to various places of worship to allow for greater appreciation and understanding of the various religious beliefs and practices.

Harmony Circles (HCs) HCs were organized at

workplaces to allow for inter-racial and inter-religious activities for workers of different ethnic groups working at the same place

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACENATIONAL SERVICE

National Service is another area where common space

is created. All able-bodied male Singaporeans go

through similar military training and this helps to create

strong bonds amongst the men from different ethnic

groups.

Question 5:

a. Watch http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjsXkKSGbo

b. How do you think the experience the NS men have in

the video will bond them together?

CONCLUSIONBuilding a National Identity

Safeguarding the interests of minority

groups

Developing Common Space

How does Singapore Manage Ethnic Diversity?

• Multi-racialism • Common

Practices • Bilingualism

• Minority Representation

• Self-Help Groups

• Grassroots Organizations

• Educational Institutions

• Public Housing • IRCCs & HCs• National Service