In the Spotlight
The SG50+ Conference
How will Singapore politics evolve? How can Singapore position itself to retain maximum autonomy in its foreign relations? What should we aim for to nurture a sustainable future economy? These were among the questions discussed at the two-day Singapore at 50: What Lies Ahead? (SG50+) conference on 2 and 3 July, which was organised by IPS and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Singapore’s political leaders and global thinkers offered compelling insights and ideas on how Singapore could thrive in an increasingly complex world to the 640 participants – including students, community leaders and business leaders – at the event.
Features
Perceptions of the Marriage and Parenthood Package 2013
IPS’ latest Perceptions of Policies in Singapore (POPS) survey examined the attitudes of married Singaporeans towards the 2013 Marriage and Parenthood Package. Findings suggested that policy interventions to boost childbearing would do well to facilitate women returning to work after childbirth and improve access to quality childcare.
Views
Tommy Koh: International Law and Refugees
Targeting human traffickers in response to the refugee crises happening around the world will not solve the problem. Unless the West and major powers help to alleviate the conflict and persecution situations in Africa, the Middle-East and Southeast Asia, the human exodus will continue.
Loh Soon How: Give Dads more Work at Home to Boost Birth Rates
There are several benefits to men playing a bigger role at home, from facilitating their wives’ re-entry into the workforce to strengthening the bond between father and child. Husbands sharing a greater responsibility in the household might even motivate couples to have (more) children.
Faizal Bin Yahya: Where the Good Jobs Are
A university degree is often seen as a golden ticket to job security and career success. Yet, the degree path is losing some of its lustre, with more graduates in Singapore experiencing underemployment. Greater emphasis should be on upgrading skill sets to meet the demands of “Middle Skill Jobs”.
Sim Jui Liang: Inspiration from Hong Kong’s Community Museums
With its eclectic museum scene, Hong Kong holds useful lessons for Singapore’s community museums. Beyond the display of artworks and artefacts and the organising of activities for residents, community museums here should not shy away from discussing critical and potentially controversial issues.
Upcoming
IPS-aAdvantage Closed-Door Discussion on the National Values Assessment for Singapore (2015)
Date: 23 July 2015
Findings from the National Values Assessment (NVA) survey will be shared in a Closed-Door Discussion organised by IPS and aAdvantage Consulting Group. Mr Lim Siong Guan, Adjunct Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Mr Ho Meng Kit, CEO of the Singapore Business Federation, will lead the discussion on how our society and workplaces may change in the future.
IPS in the News
IPS Researchers comment on the formation of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, the need for better financial literacy in Singaporeans, and the implications of online social connections. To read their comments, click here
For media coverage of IPS seminars and lectures, click here
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