September 2009No 5 Institute of Policy Studies Newsletter Special Why poll? or, Why POPS? In February this year, IPS launched the first of a series of surveys on issues of current interest, known as Perceptions of Policies in Singapore (POPS). The first survey focused on the issue of Singaporeans’ resilience in the current economic crisis, and was undertaken by IPS researchers Gillian Koh and Leong Chan Hoong. In this essay, IPS Research Assistant Stephanie Neubronner reflects on the importance of surveys to policy-making and the considerations that must be made when conducting and evaluating opinion polls.  Read essay Read about the first POPS   Events Ms Ho Ching: “Temasek to focus on long-term value and people gains” Temasek Holdings’ focus will be on: a) building robust and disciplined frameworks; b) reinforcing and developing professionalism; and c) implementing testing and measurement for the purposes of evaluation. These are the elements being implemented to ensure “clear sustainable value” for the Singapore-owned fund, said Ms Ho Ching, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Holdings at an IPS lunch. She also touched on Temasek’s investment and employee compensation strategies during the talk before announcing a new institutional building initiative that envisages an investment partnership between the corporation and members of the public.  Read more Media report New Goh Chok Tong book is “an incisive first draft of the Goh years for the layman” IPS publication Impressions of the Goh Chok Tong Years in Singapore is a book with a diversity of voices and opinions on the 14 years of Mr Goh Chok Tong’s tenure as Prime Minister between 1994 and 2000. This was emphasised by the co-editors of the volume at the book launch on 6 August 2009. Also noted was the volume’s contribution to scholarly examination of contemporary Singapore, an area that still has much room for development. The Straits Times has called it an “incisive first draft” of the period for the layman. Event report Media reports About the book Sequel to best-selling Little Red Dot Launched The Little Red Dot: Reflections by Singapore’s Diplomats Volume II, the sequel to the well-received first title of the same name, was launched at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 13 August 2009. The volume carries a series of essays by the third generation of Singapore diplomats. Foreign Minister George Yeo, who spoke at the launch, noted that the book is part of an “evolving collective memory” of Singapore. The book is co-edited by IPS Chairman Professor Tommy Koh and Associate Director Chang Li-lin, and is co-published by IPS and World Scientific Press.  Media reports Purchase Singapore Freeport’s “strategic potential lies in attracting investments”  The Singapore Freeport, an high-security art facility dedicated to the storage and trade of fine art collections and other valuables, has the “strategic potential” to attract a whole host of related industries when it commences operations, said Mr Alain Vandenborre. The CEO of the Singapore Freeport was speaking at an IPS Roundtable, where he also showed event participants images of the soon-to-be-operational project.  Read write-up   Publications New publication “an invaluable resource for researchers, city planning professionals and urban economic planning” How does a city make sound policy decisions on sustainability and governance while simultaneously promoting economic growth and development excellence? The question is answered in a new book titled World Cities: Achieving Liveability and Vibrancy. Co-published by IPS, the Civil Service College and World Scientific Press, it contains case studies of cities around the world presented by top academics, professionals and policy-makers at a World Cities Summit held in Singapore last year. The book provides an important resource of ideas and views on how best to strike that balance in an age of growing urbanisation. A 20% discount applies for any purchase of the book from World Scientific Press through to 15 October 2009.  About the book Purchase from World Scientific   Views IPS Chairman’s Six Hopes for National Day  Professor Tommy Koh, IPS Chairman, believes that Singaporeans could be kinder and more gracious, and that Singapore has the potential to become the “Geneva of the East” or a centre of diplomacy. These, along with four other hopes and visions for Singapore amidst the National Day festivities were articulated in a commentary written for The Straits Times. Read more Others IPS in the news Media coverage of IPS events. Read more Sound Bites IPS staff members and researchers give their insights in the media on topics ranging from racial harmony in Singapore to the Baby Bonus scheme. Read more Institute of Policy Studies, 1C Cluny Road, House 5, Singapore 259599     Tel: 6516 8388  |   Fax: 6777 0700     The IPS newsletter is published regularly. To subscribe to this newsletter, click here. To unsubscribe, click here. To send your comments, click here. Forward to a friend Copyright 2009 by Institute of Policy Studies. All Rights Reserved. Best viewed with IE 6.0 and above in 1024 by 768 pixels.