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?
Securing Our Future: A Renewed Multilateralism
We are living through a time every bit as momentous as that faced by our forefathers and mothers in World War II. The framework of multilateral governance that has secured our present now needs to be renewed and strengthened to deal with the interlocking disruptions that threaten our future. Our generation is tasked with nothing less than the rejuvenation of the multilateral rule-based order to secure our future. We will be defined by how we respond to this call of destiny. As we look towards the future that our children will inherit, we must ask ourselves: What kind of a world will we leave them? What kind of Singapore society do we want to become? What will be our role in and contribution to our common future? Can Singapore become an epicentre for the new multilateralism and a model of enlightened self-preservation, committed to the stewardship of our global commons and public goods?
Professor Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IPS’ 7th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore, 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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