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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.
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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