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NUS LKY

NUS LKY

Public Policy, Language and Society

10 Aug 2026 To 14 Aug 2026

(5 Days Programme)

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

(Singapore Time)

About The Programme

Singapore commands high prestige internationally and is renowned for its multi-lingual and multi-cultural and peaceful society. This programme examines the long-term approach taken by the government of Singapore to ensure unity in diversity through political will and social forces, and via strategic public policy interventions. It overviews themes such as the use of education, language, media and housing policies, population management and community and citizen engagement. Together, these policies helped to facilitate communication within the ethnically diverse society, as well as connection with the world. This programme will help to deepen students’ understanding of the connections between public policies, public management and strategic planning towards a social fabric that is peaceful, cohesive and achieves sustainable multi-racial harmony as a leverage to prosperity for all.

What You Gain

💡 Students will be able to gain an understanding of what public policy is about and its importance for social harmony, understand the connections between political strategies, social policy and social fabric and evaluate approaches to inclusive citizen participation in a multicultural context.

Who Is It For

Suitable for current undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to develop an appreciation of the connections between language, public policy and society.

Students should also have a good command of spoken and written English.

What to expect:

The programme comprises of 4 discussion driven workshops at 3 hours per module over 4 days.

Introduction to Public Policy
This first module introduces participants to the main functions of governments as part of public policy making through a series of guided short activities. As a starting point, students will learn the basics analytical tools to understanding social harmony, using problem trees to understand causes and effects (e.g. language, culture, economics). They will then formulate some options to solve these problems and suggest a course of action. Finally, they will discuss possible implementation challenges and the importance of evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of policies.

Language, Education and Media Policies
As a diverse and multi-cultural society, the Singapore government has paid particular attention to understanding to the various perspectives of different communities. This requires communicating and engaging with the population using effective strategies. This module focuses on three key themes: 1) Language policy, where the four official languages coexist in all matters of public policy; 2) Education policies supporting the language policy and 3) Media policy promoting the official languages. It weaves in examples of policy communication in Singapore’s multicultural and multi-lingual society.

Housing, Population and Immigration Policies
This module first brings students to understand how housing policies support multiculturalism and social harmony and community cohesion in Singapore. Then, we examine how population and immigration policies are also a powerful policy tools to address demographic challenges in Singapore. These ensure that immigrants not only contribute significantly to the economy but are also well integrated with local norms. Various specific programmes will be examined, including the mandatory citizenship journey and integration champions.

Citizen and Community Engagement and Inclusion
This module examines how citizen engagement contributes to building a shared sense of identity, belonging and responsibility in a multicultural society. Based on the Singapore experience, students will explore how public policies and community-based initiatives foster active citizenship through participation in cultural, social and environmental activities. They will analyse how engagement is operationalised at the community level and how these efforts strengthen social cohesion by connecting individuals to both their cultural identities and a collective national identity. 

💡 We Make Sure You Internalise
The programme will culminate with small group presentations at the end of the programme on last session. Preparation and guidance activities will be scaffolded to ensure that students are well-prepared for their final presentation.

 

(Please note that LKYSPP EE is only in charge of this academic segment comprising workshops and assessment. Other activities are not organised and handled by LKYSPP EE.)

Programme Dates and Location

Date: 10 – 14 August 2026

Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm* (classroom sessions)

* Students should refer to the programme schedule provided upon admission for exact daily timing.  

Location: Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
                      469C Bukit Timah Rd,
                      Singapore 25977

For programme enquiry, please email:

陈浩 Hacent (hacent.chen@lookerchina.com)

Our Instructors

NUS LKY

Dr. Caroline Brassard, Adjunct Assistant Professor (Executive Education), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Dr. Caroline Brassard has been teaching at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy since 2002, on topics such as development economics, econometrics, research methods, and policy analysis. She has also been an academic adviser at the Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh since 2017. Her current research focuses on the risks, mitigation measures and impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups in Singapore and Bangladesh. She also researches on poverty alleviation policies in urbanising Asia. Caroline co-edited a book on Urban Spaces and Gender in Asia: Perspectives on Social and Economic Inclusion (with Divya U. Joshi, by Springer 2020). Her earlier books include “Natural Disaster Management in the Asia-Pacific: Policy and Governance” (co-edited edited with David Giles and Arn Howitt) by Springer in 2015. Prior to joining the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Dr. Brassard worked in Madagascar for UNICEF, in Bangladesh for CARE and in Vietnam for her post-graduate research. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of London.

NUS LKY

Dr. Marina Jose Kaneti, Assistant Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Dr. Marina Jose Kaneti is an Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. She specialises in complex systems analysis, focusing on the intersection of foreign policy, development, technology and mobility. She is currently engaged in two projects interrogating critical global challenges: "Racing with AI" examines the global competition for AI adoption, providing critical analysis of the social, political, and environmental costs of AI development and adoption in the Global South. Dr. Kaneti's interdisciplinary expertise bridges academic rigour with real-world impact, informed by prior professional appointments. Most recently, her expertise and scholarly leadership is recognized through her roles as World Economic Forum Global Expert in Global Governance, Migration, and Pandemic Preparedness, and appointment as Vice Chair of the International Political Science Association's Research Committee 35 (Technology & Development). She is the recipient of the 2021 NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Award and the 2020 LKYSPP Digital Educator Award.