IPS Community Leaders Integration Conference

The Institute of Policy Studies convened a series of closed-door dialogues this year between leaders from immigrant associations and local civic organisations.

The aims of this initiative were as follows:

1. Foster a better understanding of the challenges of integration among community leaders from different immigrant groups and civic organisations.
2. Find ways for civic organisations to provide leadership in promoting integration

We are now bringing together leaders from all the immigrant associations and civic organisations we had engaged in a public conference focusing on integration. They would be joined by policy makers, academics and other interested parties.

There will be three sessions at this conference.

The first will summarise the findings of the closed-door dialogues we had conducted. Panelists will discuss how immigrant associations can play a role in fostering good relations between local-born Singaporeans and new immigrants. Examples of such integration efforts will be showcased along with the challenges they encountered.

The second session will discuss the norms and values that civic organisations and immigrant group leaders believe are important for social cohesion. The panel will consider how Singaporean norms and values can be better communicated to new immigrants.

The final session will consider what needs to be done to better integrate immigrants into Singaporean society. The panel will deal with the challenges and the prospects of immigrants integrating into and feeling a sense of allegiance to the nation.

There will be ample time during the conference for participants to engage the panelists in discussion.


Downloads

• Press Release
• Presentation Slides by Dr Chiang Wai Fong, The Values and Norms that Make Us CLIC (Community Leaders Integration Conference) 
• Presentation Slides by Dr Mathew Mathews, Community Leaders Integration Dialogue
• Social Values and Norms for Inclusiveness: A Report on Dialogues among Community Leaders by Dr Chiang Wai Fong
  

Media Coverage

• 联合早报. 2013.  正视差异方能主动融入. 11月18日
• The Straits Times. 2013. Singaporeans take time to warm to new citizens. 17 November
• Channel NewsAsia. 2013. Immigrants move to S’pore for economic, multi-culturalism reasons. 16 November