There is a growing appetite among citizens to engage with complex social issues, many of which are intertwined with the Singapore identity or Singapore identities. Ongoing debates on class, race, religion, gender, sexuality and disability demonstrate the multiplexity and cross-cutting nature of identity. Social media has spurred conversations and contestations on issues relating to identity and diversity by providing the space for people from diverse backgrounds to initiate frank discussions and rally for change.
What are the implications of such developments for nation-building? How should notions of the Singaporean identity and established practices of social resilience evolve with the times? How should people engage with one another on these issues in ways that foster empathy and solidarity amidst diversity? The IPS-RSIS Conference on Identity aims to discuss these issues.
The keynote speaker at the event will be Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for Finance. Invited panellists will include academics and practitioners who will discuss the implications of these issues, as well as the conditions for inclusive conversations.
Click here for the programme and speakers’ biographical notes.
Opening Speech & Dialogue with Minister
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Opening Speech by Minister of Finance Mr Lawrence Wong at the IPS-RSIS Conference on Identity
Panel 1: Identities and Diversity
Panel 2: Innovating Engagement
Click
here to read the event summary.