IPS Update Issue August 2022

On 26 July 2022, the Pontiac Land-IPS Food for Thought One-table Lunch was held in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and we had the perfect guest to speak on the reopening of Singapore's borders.
 
Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, joined some 20 Corporate Associates to discuss the recovery and future of the travel and hospitality industry in Singapore, and also new and innovative ways to attract visitors to visit Singapore in 2022 and beyond. 

The IPS Corporate Associates Lunch Dialogue on UNCLOS at 40 was held shortly after, on 28 July 2022. As the President of the Conference in its final year, Prof Tommy Koh spoke to IPS Corporate Associates to explain the importance of the Convention to Singapore, ASEAN and the world.

Besides detailing how the ratification of UNCLOS came about, he also explained the implications for geographically disadvantaged states.

You can read more about UNCLOS here.

Click Here to Participate in Quest2030 Now!

As part of IPS’ scenario-planning project, Reimagining Singapore 2030, we are launching a special tool that allows you to craft that future, design artefacts of it, and report the news of the day. This is a unique experience that allows you to share a postcard from the future with your friends and get them to experiment with creating the future in the same way. Try it, spread the word about it, help us gather the views of a broad swathe of Singaporeans from now till the end of August 2022.

Commentary — The Role of Malay-Muslim Fathers in the Family
(The Karyawan)
By Shamsuri Juhari and Jeanne Tan
• 8-min read

In this commentary for The Karyawan, IPS’ Dr Shamsuri Juhari and Jeanne Tan discuss the developments and the constraints Malay-Muslim fathers face at the individual, community and policy levels.

They reflect on unfavourable gender norms highlighted by the White Paper on Singapore Women's Development and talked about how best to level the differences, considering the contemporary challenges faced by couples in the community.

Commentary — Mitigating the Impact of Rising Inflation Rates in Singapore
(The Karyawan)
By Faizal Yahya
• 8-min read

In this commentary for The Karyawan, a publication of the AMP, IPS’ Dr Faizal Yahya discusses the impact of rising inflation on businesses and households.

He also looks at how companies can use short- and long-term commercial and technical levers to mitigate the impact of inflation. He discusses these techniques in the context of Singapore’s import-reliant economy and the country’s existing fiscal policies.

Commentary — Race, rights and respect: Reflections on the route to harmony
(The Straits Times)
By Mathew Mathews and Melvin Tay
• 6-min read

The recent Racial Harmony Day celebrations are a yearly reminder of the diverse cultures present in Singapore. 

In this piece for The Straits Times, IPS' Dr Mathew Mathews and Melvin Tay remind readers of the many challenges, as well as the collaboration required, to preserve Singapore's racial harmony, especially when it comes to policymaking. In particular, the piece reflects on the reasons why changes in policy regarding race and religion happen slowly in Singapore.

Commentary — Should Asean be an organisation based on the rule of law?
(The Straits Times)
By Tommy Koh
• 5-min read

Should ASEAN be an organisation based on the rule of law, when it comes to the issue of Myanmar and its military coup? IPS' Senior Adviser Prof Tommy Koh discusses this question in this commentary for The Straits Times. He posits that our conclusion to this question will decide whether we should accept the coup as a reality and recognise the government that has resulted from it.

IPS Working Paper No. 46 — Moving Forward Through COVID-19 in Singapore: Well-Being, Lessons Learnt and Future Directions

In this paper, Dr Mathew Mathews, Dr Mike Hou and Fiona Phoa used the ongoing IPS COVID-19 panel to report on Singaporeans’ well-being across various domains. The study noticed divergence across demographic groups on psychological well-being and financial worries. The report spotlights the panels’ outlook towards the future, including cost of living concerns and perceptions towards government leadership. Given that it has been over two years since the pandemic began, the report provides insights into lessons Singaporeans believe the nation should learn and improve on and how priming individuals to keep the end in mind may improve attitudes towards endemic living. 

Refreshing Singapore’s Social Compact Through Citizen Engagement: Modalities, Challenges and Possibilities.

How have technological advancements changed governance? In this working paper for NUS Centre for Trusted Internet and Community, IPS' Dr Carol Soon, Dr Chew Han Ei and Deon Tan analyse the ways in which governments have made use of communications technologies to increase civic participation and co-create policy solutions with citizens. 

The paper also examines the further possibilities that Web 3.0 technologies such as blockchains and Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAO) have brought to the space. Finally, the paper identifies successful case studies around the world which Singapore can draw lessons and adapt to the local context.