Singapore and Multilateral Governance: Securing Our Future by Dr Noeleen Heyzer
Singapore’s past, present and future are highly dependent on and integrated with multilateral governance. As the only island city-state in the world, going alone and being isolated was never an option in our journey from third world to first. Singapore and Asia have benefited greatly from the rule-based multilateral global order that emerged after the Second World War — based on values, norms and institutions. In this three-part lecture series, 10th S R Nathan Fellow Dr Noeleen Heyzer will examine how Singapore can continue to contribute to multilateral governance amid 21st century global challenges. What does it mean for Singapore to engage the region and revitalise this multilateral world? How can we build upon the kind of long-term vision and multilateral governance that historically brought giant leaps in our living standards? And critically, how can we secure our common future and shape what we become as a nation?
Great Disruptions: The Struggle for Our Normative Future
Handling disruptions is the great test of our generation. Four great disruptions — health pandemics, the climate crisis, the cyber world, and conflicts in our interconnected but divided world — are unprecedented. These interlocking disruptions are endangering the very safety and sustainability of human life, demanding new normative frameworks and arrangements in multilateral governance. Across the world we witness struggles and social movements unfolding — notably of women and youth, rooted in community organising and strengthened by transnational solidarity — calling for effective action to address problems that matter most to our human future. In this lecture, Dr Heyzer will highlight the need to invest in the nexus of sustainable development, global health and human security as global public goods as we rethink sustainable recovery in the COVID-19 world. How do we fare amidst these struggles? Can Singapore be a key stakeholder for change in the multilateral world? Dr Heyzer will consider Singapore’s leadership in mobilising the concerns of medium and small states in the multilateral space, contributing to a normative future that is more equitable, inclusive and sustainable, and to a global community where all people can flourish.
Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IPS’ Special Adviser will be moderating the Q&A session of this lecture.
To find out more about Dr Noeleen Heyzer, the 10th S R Nathan Fellow, click here.
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