[ad_1]
SINGAPORE – What makes a Singaporean? New citizens contemplating this are now offered some guidance in the form of a report of Singaporeans, both locally born and naturalized, which was released on Saturday (November 28).
The eight chapters of the 57-page report explore what it means to be Singaporean. They share knowledge about the values, roles and responsibilities of a citizen and their contributions to society. They also delve into the art, culture and history of the nation.
The report highlights five “shared values,” including placing society above oneself, seeking consensus rather than conflict, and appreciating racial and religious harmony.
After seven months of dialogue and deliberation by the Citizens Working Group for Singapore Citizenship Journey, the report also urges new citizens to contribute to society in various ways.
An example would be volunteering as a museum teacher to enhance your own, as well as your visitors’, understanding of the complexities and nuances of Singapore. Volunteering in areas like community gardening could also help foster connections between the community, the report said.
He also highlighted the roles and responsibilities of all citizens, highlighting how citizenship was a privilege that came with certain responsibilities beyond obeying the laws of the country.
This includes respecting people of different faiths, as well as treating men and women with the same respect.
“There is no place for gender chauvinism in Singapore,” the report said. “Their responsibility is to treat and practice meritocracy at work in terms of equal pay for equal work and equal opportunities for advancement.
In the chapter on the arts, cultures and traditions of Singapore, the authors highlighted how the scene is “a truly rich red festival of East and West, ancient and modern, through many mediums.”
He urged mutual respect and appreciation, and also cited examples of how this may not always be the case in the past.
The report cited an incident from 2011 that involved two families living in the same residential block. The Chinese family, fresh from China, had complained about the smell that reached their home every time the Indian family cooked curry for meals.
The “Cook and Share a Pot of Curry” plan was soon started as a grassroots initiative to invite foreign and local residents to start a conversation about local practices, the report noted.
The initiative was well received and many foreign residents participated to connect with locals.
“This is the best of Singapore, where we appreciate and enjoy our different cuisines, festivals, customs and traditions,” said the authors.
A member of the task force, Ms. Shereen Mohd Idris, said that participating in the discussions and reflecting on what makes a Singaporean was a meaningful journey.
The 36-year-old civil servant added: “Experience reveals how Singaporeans are culturally rich and have an incredible reservoir of social capital that is always respectful, inclusive and always welcoming to others.”
During an online press conference on Saturday, members of the task force acknowledged that identity issues were not clearly defined and that different people would have different perspectives on what should be included in the report for new citizens.
For example, members of the working group disagreed on what topics should be included in the chapter on Singapore’s future as a nation and what general trends would have serious implications for it.
One example was bilateral relations.
Ms Shahrany Hassan, 44, founder and director of a local non-governmental group to promote social cohesion, said that one of the working group members had strongly felt that this was an issue that should be included in the report.
“The person felt that the new citizens will not understand … why our ministers or government officials are striving to maintain good relations with our immediate neighbors, as this is not seen as much in other developed countries,” said Ms Shahrany.
After much discussion, a decision was made among the group to include this in the report, he added.
Another member of the working group, Ms. Li Woon Churdboonchart, 43, said it was wonderful that diverse views were heard and accepted during the discussions.
“It took us seven months to resolve our differences, understand each other (each other) and we did much more research and read even more,” said Ms Churdboonchart, a Singaporean who has always been questioned by many about her identity as a Singaporean. due to his Thai surname.
But he said it was the group’s love for Singapore that brought them together, and also a key reason why the people involved were willing to compromise. “And I must remind everyone that it is consensus, not conflict, that will bring us all together.”
Ms Jill Wong, Senior Director of the Resilience and Engagement Division of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), said the report will contribute to the mandatory curriculum that new citizens must follow before becoming full members. Singapore company law.
While authorities have received public comment over the years, the task force, convened by the MCCY in January this year, is the first of its kind.
Its purpose is to provide information on the Singapore Citizenship Journey program. A total of 93 people participated.
Introduced in 2011, the Singapore Citizenship Tour is a mandatory program for naturalized citizens.
It is designed to deepen your understanding of Singapore’s history and culture through interactive online modules on topics such as the country’s history and culture, national symbols, and national politics.
MCCY said it will provide a formal response to the Citizens Task Force in January 2021.
The Minister of Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong, thanked the members of the Citizens Working Group for taking a step forward and adapting to the digital sessions held in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“They exemplify the spirit of Singapore Together by working with the government, and each other, for the common good. We will continue to partner and engage Singaporeans in building our shared future.”
Singaporeans can view the report and share their responses with MCCY on this website by December 28.
[ad_2]
