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[h=2]Grace Fu: All must do their part to help new immigrants integrate[/h]
August 13th, 2012 |
Author: Editorial
Grace Fu
At the parliamentary sitting today (13 Aug), the newly promoted Cabinet Minister, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Grace Fu told Parliament that a community approach is needed to help new immigrants integrate with Singapore society.
She said all members of society, including student leaders, employers and community leaders, must do their part.
Ms Fu also talked about the National Integration Council (NIC) and said that its work is a long-term one.
NIC was set up in Apr 2009 to promote and foster social integration among Singaporeans and new immigrants. It is chaired by MG Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for MCYS and comprises of leaders from the community, private sector and government. The NIC drives new integration initiatives in schools, workplaces, the community and through the media.
NIC implements a three-step approach to integrating new immigrants:
Ms Fu said, “It’s a deeper level of understanding and emotional attachment to their new country and their new place of residence.”
However, she did say that it is still too early to conclude if government efforts to integrate new immigrants have been successful.
Ms Fu added that community organizations can also come in to help. She said, “For example, some Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) have come forward and also introduced programmes for new citizens to join them. And that’s really a very effective way of building attachment for new citizens with the local community.”
“It is not something the government could do single-handedly. We involve all stakeholders in this – employers, schools, VWOs, people sector – to help us in this process of establishing a stronger social bonding with the new immigrants.”
In Mar 2010, she was rapped by netizens for spending taxpayers’ monies to organize a controversial ‘Water Splashing Festival’ for foreigners in Bukit Batok to celebrate their New Year and asking Singaporeans to ‘celebrate’ their festival as a way of “showing our respect to them”.
Replying to netizens’ enquiries, Ms Fu wrote on her Facebook that the “Water Splashing Festival” is just one way of reaching out to new citizens and PRs in Bukit Batok. “When we celebrate their festivities, we are telling them that we respect them and recognize that they bring along different cultures and rituals,” she added.
Facing constant criticisms from netizens, in Feb this year while speaking at a signing ceremony, she warned that there are emerging trends that ‘tug’ at Singapore’s social fabric. One of these trends is the emergence of social media.
Ms Fu said social media has amplified voices beyond what was achievable by the traditional media. She accused some netizens of attempting to be more extreme and assertive to be heard in the noisy environment of social media. At times, these people did it to an extent that’s uncomfortable for the majority.
Ms Fu did not explain exactly in what way some netizens have made the “majority” uncomfortable.
.
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At the parliamentary sitting today (13 Aug), the newly promoted Cabinet Minister, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Grace Fu told Parliament that a community approach is needed to help new immigrants integrate with Singapore society.
She said all members of society, including student leaders, employers and community leaders, must do their part.
Ms Fu also talked about the National Integration Council (NIC) and said that its work is a long-term one.
NIC was set up in Apr 2009 to promote and foster social integration among Singaporeans and new immigrants. It is chaired by MG Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for MCYS and comprises of leaders from the community, private sector and government. The NIC drives new integration initiatives in schools, workplaces, the community and through the media.
NIC implements a three-step approach to integrating new immigrants:
- Focuses on functional integration. This helps immigrants understand social norms and the expectations of Singaporeans.
- Helps new immigrants establish social networks, whether at the community level or in schools.
- Builds on mutual trust.
Ms Fu said, “It’s a deeper level of understanding and emotional attachment to their new country and their new place of residence.”
However, she did say that it is still too early to conclude if government efforts to integrate new immigrants have been successful.
Ms Fu added that community organizations can also come in to help. She said, “For example, some Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) have come forward and also introduced programmes for new citizens to join them. And that’s really a very effective way of building attachment for new citizens with the local community.”
“It is not something the government could do single-handedly. We involve all stakeholders in this – employers, schools, VWOs, people sector – to help us in this process of establishing a stronger social bonding with the new immigrants.”
In Mar 2010, she was rapped by netizens for spending taxpayers’ monies to organize a controversial ‘Water Splashing Festival’ for foreigners in Bukit Batok to celebrate their New Year and asking Singaporeans to ‘celebrate’ their festival as a way of “showing our respect to them”.
Replying to netizens’ enquiries, Ms Fu wrote on her Facebook that the “Water Splashing Festival” is just one way of reaching out to new citizens and PRs in Bukit Batok. “When we celebrate their festivities, we are telling them that we respect them and recognize that they bring along different cultures and rituals,” she added.
Facing constant criticisms from netizens, in Feb this year while speaking at a signing ceremony, she warned that there are emerging trends that ‘tug’ at Singapore’s social fabric. One of these trends is the emergence of social media.
Ms Fu said social media has amplified voices beyond what was achievable by the traditional media. She accused some netizens of attempting to be more extreme and assertive to be heard in the noisy environment of social media. At times, these people did it to an extent that’s uncomfortable for the majority.
Ms Fu did not explain exactly in what way some netizens have made the “majority” uncomfortable.
.
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