IPS Update Issue October 2024

The Future-Ready Society Conference 2024: The Future of Citizen Participation and Collective Intelligence, held on 1 October 2024, was jointly organised by the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities and the Institute of Policy Studies, with support from Tote Board. The event brought together stakeholders from the public, private, and academic sectors.

The conference aimed to advance the understanding and practice of citizen participation, civic engagement and collaborative governance. The conference explored social and “democratic innovations” such as participatory budgeting and citizens assemblies; the ways digital tools can support citizens in careful deliberation and sound decision-making on public policy and social issues; the possibilities of harnessing collective intelligence where mass participation expands our knowledge base to solve what we might not be able to individually collectively.

Learn more and watch the conference here.

IPS Forum on Singaporeans’ Political Attitudes

At the IPS Forum on Singaporeans’ Political Attitudes held on 27 September, key findings from the Asian Barometer Survey (Wave 6) were discussed.

Moderated by Dr Tan Ern Ser, the first panel centred on the presentation by Dr Gillian Koh where she highlighted Singaporeans’ commitment to democracy. Associate Professor Eugene Tan also reflected on the changing definition of democracy for the people. 

The second panel, moderated by Dr Teo Kay Key, featured Dr Lam Peng Er, Associate Professor Walid Jumblatt Abdullah and Associate Professor Natalie Pang, where they expanded the discussion on the Singapore electorate. 

Each panel concluded with a Q&A segment, addressing societal and economic factors, political trust, and media influence on the electorate.

IPS-Nathan Lectures by Professor Lily Kong — Lecture I: "Through the Looking Glass: Insights into the Origin and Evolution of Universities"

President of Singapore Management University (SMU) and 15th S R Nathan Fellow Professor Lily Kong’s first lecture took place on 8 October 2024. 

In the lecture, Professor Kong examined how the concept of the university has evolved from classical antiquity to the present, shaped by shifting societal, political, and economic forces. She highlighted four key sources of discontent in contemporary higher education: concerns over indoctrination, economic utility, unequal access to higher education, and the challenge of balancing research with teaching responsibilities. 

The Q&A session, moderated by Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), covered numerous topics, including the persistence of elitism in universities and the relevance of a broad-based, liberal arts education.

Learn more about the lecture series here.

Commentary — What to make of Asean’s ties with Russia
(The Straits Times)
By Tommy Koh
• 5-min read

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 significantly altered its relations with the United States and Europe. However, ASEAN maintains a complex but generally positive relationship with Russia.

In this op-ed, Professor Tommy Koh examines ASEAN’s ties with Russia. Despite the invasion, ASEAN has not fully aligned with Western efforts to isolate Russia due to internal divisions and broader interests in maintaining balanced relationships with all major powers. Ultimately, he argues that the Asean-Russia relationship is thin on substance, warning that if Russia does not try harder to improve the situation, the country risks being seen as a free rider.

Commentary — Singapore’s Platform Workers Act strikes crucial balance for future of gig economy
(The Straits Times)
By Mathew Mathews
• 6-min read

The passing of Singapore’s Platform Workers Act is a landmark moment for the gig economy. In this op-ed, Mathew Mathews examines the crucial balance that the Act strikes between safeguarding platform workers’ rights while ensuring that platform operators are not overly burdened with regulation. 

He highlights how the new law addresses key concerns such as CPF contributions, with the government offering phased support to soften the impact of lower take-home pay. Another essential protection introduced by the Act is Work Injury Compensation, which will cover platform workers when they are actively engaged in work tasks, ensuring their protection without overextending the platform operator's liability.

Commentary — Go beyond laws to keep AI from tainting elections
(The Straits Times)
By Carol Soon and Samantha Quek
• 5-min read

On September 9, a Bill was tabled in the Singapore Parliament to counter digitally manipulated content that may appear during elections, specifically targeting content that misrepresents or misportrays candidates. While AI can enhance campaign efficiency and voter information, it also poses risks through misinformation.

Carol Soon and Samantha Quek argue that while the bill is a good step, further measures such as transparency, labelling AI-generated content, and a new code of practice are necessary to protect the integrity of elections. They emphasise that safeguarding democratic participation and election integrity requires agile governance and collaboration.

Commentary — How Singapore grew a family of Asian storytellers
(The Straits Times)
By Alan John
• 6-min read

Since its inception in 2009 with 14 participants, the Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF) has expanded to a network of 238 journalists across Asia, fostering lifelong friendships.

Alan John, director of AJF, reflects on how the fellowship has fostered a supportive and collaborative network of journalists from across Asia. The programme has adapted to changing times and challenges in journalism, such as digital disruption and misinformation while maintaining its core mission of fostering professional growth and cross-cultural understanding.

Through their shared experiences, the fellows are inspired to continue their work and navigate the complexities of modern journalism.

Commentary — Four everyday AI competencies for Singaporeans to make Smart Nation 2.0 work
(The Straits Times)
By Chew Han Ei
• 6-min read

Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 strategy, launched by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong focused on three goals: Trust, Growth and Community, ensuring that digital technology improves lives, drives economic progress, and fosters inclusivity.

In this op-ed, Chew Han Ei proposes four essential competencies that will equip Singaporeans to meet the new challenges and seize the opportunities of this AI-driven era. These competencies include recognising AI in everyday life, navigating the ethical considerations around AI, using AI to enhance productivity and embracing lifelong learning.

By mastering these skills, Singapore will not only become more competitive globally but also foster a more inclusive, future-ready society that benefits everyone.

Commentary — Political and governance impact of the case of S Iswaran pending the possibility of an appeal against his sentence
(IPS Commons)
By Gillian Koh
• 7-min read

On October 3, former Transport Minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to a year's imprisonment in a landmark case, marking the first instance of a former Cabinet minister being sentenced.

In this commentary, Gillian Koh emphasises that the political and governance impact of the case hinges on three main factors: citizens' faith in the legal process, the People's Action Party's credibility in upholding standards of integrity, and the effectiveness of Singapore's national integrity system.

Ultimately, Dr Koh argues that the impact of this case rests on Singaporean’s sense of national identity and that citizens will vote for parties and individuals who uphold values of integrity and deserve their trust or have restored it.

Reports — Young Singaporeans Conference 2024: "Mental Health"

The biennial Young Singaporeans Conference (YSC) brings together young leaders who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields to discuss issues of national interest and public policy. 

YSC 2024, held on 16 September, focused on the theme of mental health, addressing critical aspects of mental healthcare for youth through two interconnected dimensions: mental health across early life stages and gaps in mental healthcare provision. 

The reports cover the key panel discussions, participant presentations, and dialogue with Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health.

Report — The Year in Review: Policy and Political Developments in 2023

The report highlights Singapore’s key policy and political events. It covers the post-COVID transition, inflationary pressures, and economic support like the Assurance Package. Major infrastructure projects such as the URA Master Plan 2025 and Long Island reclamation are outlined, alongside mental health initiatives and climate change efforts. 

Politically, significant events include the Lee Kuan Yew centenary, housing affordability debates, and global issues like the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Singapore’s government remains committed to sustainable growth, social equity, and fiscal responsibility amidst geopolitical uncertainty.

IPS Working Paper No. 57— International Vertical Equity in Global — An Asian Perspective

This paper suggests and explores how plurilateralism, in the form of regional organisations complementing the work of multilateral bodies, can achieve greater equity in the negotiation and implementation processes of international taxation policies. It is argued in the context of Asia, which is diverse in its economies and capabilities. 

Policy Brief No. 2/2024 — Asia Tax Observatory – A Regional Taxation Think-tank

This policy brief focuses on the issue of fair governance in international taxation. Collaboration ensures fair and efficient taxation but Asia lacks a regional organisation to build consensus and coordinate actions. The brief therefore proposes for the establishment of an Asia Tax Observatory.