IPS Update Issue June 2024

Explore the new IPS Programme on Race, Religion, and Intergroup Cohesion (IPS RRIC) microsite, a hub for promoting awareness, knowledge, and competence in discussing, managing, and promoting race, religion, and intergroup cohesion in our society.

IPS RRIC is one of Singapore’s first empirically based programmes in Singapore carefully developed with immersive and engaging pedagogical tools. Drawing on over a decade of research on social cohesion in Singapore, IPS RRIC is designed by a dedicated team of researchers from different disciplines.

This initiative is generously supported by The Silent Foundation. Click here to learn more about RRIC.

Commentary — What Singaporeans may hope for from PM Lawrence Wong
(CNA)
By Teo Kay Key
• 4-min read

Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister, Mr Lawrence Wong, was sworn into office on May 15, 2024.

In this commentary, Teo Kay Key discusses what this would mean for the future of Singapore as Mr Wong leads the nation in this uncertain environment.

She highlights Mr Wong’s commitment to inclusive governance, focus on employment and training policies, and refreshing Singapore’s social compact, which will be crucial in the upcoming general election.

Commentary — Key Assets for Successful Shared Governance Under New PM Wong
(IPS Commons)
By Gillian Koh
• 6-min read

Fourth Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong issued a strong rallying cry to Singaporeans to work with him and his team to continue to “defy the odds and sustain this miracle called Singapore” in his swearing-in speech.

In this commentary by Gillian Koh, she highlights key points in PM Wong’s speech, emphasising Singapore’s key assets in resilience, unity and international standing in his remarks. She explains that PM Wong’s approach underscores collaborative governance and leveraging the “combined energies, imaginations and strengths of all Singaporeans”. 

She also outlines key areas Singapore can contribute to, such as energy security, green technology and the digital economy.

Commentary — The tussle over TikTok isn’t just geopolitics
(CNA)
By Carol Soon, Chew Han Ei and Ann Mak
• 5-min read

Following Biden’s TikTok sell-or-ban law, Carol Soon, Chew Han Ei and Ann Mak discuss the struggle over data control and the rise of data localisation amid broader geopolitical tensions.

Highlighting Singapore’s balanced approach to data governance, they argue the need for frameworks that protect data without stifling innovation and international cooperation, emphasising that effective data governance is crucial for leveraging the benefits of the digital economy while ensuring security and privacy.

Event Summary — 14th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture III: “Sustainable and Resilient Trade: The Next Frontier?” by Mr Tan Chong Meng
(IPS Commons)
• 8-min read

On 7th May 2024, Mr Tan Chong Meng, IPS’ 14th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore delivered his final lecture titled “Sustainable and Resilient Trade: The Next Frontier?”.

Mr Tan addresses how rising geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions and climate risks are reshaping global trade through trends like decoupling, friend-shoring and the green economy. He emphasises the need to future-proof supply chains, foster sustainability and leverage technological advancements. 

The post-lecture Q&A, moderated by Mr Kerry Mok, President and Chief Executive Officer of SATS, further discussed Singapore’s current competitive edge and sustainability within maritime trade. 

Feature — Data x Policy x Outcomes: A Conversation with Aaron Maniam, Eleanor Carter and Leon Lim
(ETHOS)
• 15-min read

IPS' Leon Lim joins Dr Aaron Maniam, Fellow of Practice and Director, Digital Transformation Education, and Dr Eleanor Carter, Research Director for the Government Outcomes Lab, University of Oxford (GO Lab), both based in Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government, for a conversation on the intersections of data, policy and outcomes.
 
They broadly discuss the practice of evidence-based policymaking and the need for a deeper understanding of evidence, how governments can strike a good balance in acquiring both depth and diversity of data, and their hopes for policymaking in the future.

Dialogue with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will speak to, and engage with students on July 2, focusing on domestic topics such as jobs and the economy.

Jointly organised by IPS, Varsity Voices and Singapore Management University, the dialogue session is open to students studying in Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). Register your interest here.

Asia Journalism Fellowship – 2024 Fellows

Eighteen journalists from 13 countries across Asia have been selected for the 2024 edition of the Asia Journalism Fellowship, a programme funded by the Temasek Foundation and hosted by IPS. Selecting this year’s Fellows proved particularly difficult as we attracted a record number of applications. 

The eight-week programme will run from July 8 to August 30 and will include media training, seminars and discussions on various issues. This year’s edition will be conducted online for four weeks before the participants venture to Singapore for four weeks, where they will visit places of interest and meet officials, academics, media practitioners and others.

Dr Tan Poh Lin Receives Inaugural Early Career Award from the Population Association of Singapore

We are pleased to share that the Population Association of Singapore has awarded IPS' Dr Tan Poh Lin the inaugural Early Career Award.

This Early Career Award recognises and honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Population Studies in Asia, particularly to the Singapore population, within 10 years of completing their doctoral degree.

IPS Exchange No. 28 — Asia Voices: Perspectives on Tax Policy 2024

Last year, the IPS Working Group convened its third Asia Voices: Perspectives on Tax Policy seminar. The first two seminars focused on the Asian perspectives on Pillar Two of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS.

The online seminar held in March 2024 shifted the discussion to Pillar One, with a focus on the taxing right known as Amount A. Three speakers with experience in the OECD and the UN provided updates on the development of these policies and discussed different scenarios that might play out depending on the success of Amount A’s roll-out.

Alternatives such as digital services taxes, permanent establishments, and UN-led options were also discussed.