<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Published September 17, 2009
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Big plans in store to foster closer ties
$10m fund created for groups to organise events and social gatherings
By LEE U-WEN
<TABLE class=storyLinks border=0 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=1 width=136 align=right><TBODY><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD>Email this article</TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD>Print article </TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD>Feedback</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
FIVE months after it was formed in April, the new National Integration Council (NIC) has laid out some ambitious plans to better integrate new immigrants into society.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>Dr Balakrishnan: 'If Singaporeans feel insecure or are under pressure, then this whole talk about being hospitable and greater integration, doing it will be very difficult.' </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Chief on its list is the creation of a three-year, $10- million fund that will help organisations kick-start projects to create more opportunities for Singaporeans, new citizens and permanent residents to meet and understand one another in a conducive setting.
The money can be used for events such as festival celebrations, sports and family day get-togethers, which would allow the community to make new friends and learn about different cultures and backgrounds, said NIC chairman Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday.
He took the opportunity to drive home a point made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday: Singaporeans will always come first because 'membership has its privileges'.
'It's a key message we want to put across. If Singaporeans feel insecure or are under pressure, then this whole talk about being hospitable and greater integration, doing it will be very difficult,' said Dr Balakrishnan, who is also the community development, youth and sports (MCYS) minister.
The total number of new Singaporeans and PRs here is rising, according to latest figures from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. In 2007, there were 80,891 newcomers to the Republic. This figure shot up to 99,680 last year.
Also under the NIC are four working groups - schools, workplaces, community and media - that will each be chaired by a relevant permanent secretary.
To bridge the language barrier, the council will encourage companies to send their employees for English courses and raise awareness of the different options available in the market today.
But a difficult question remains: Just how does one measure the success of the council in determining whether a newcomer has integrated into the community?
MCYS permanent secretary and council member Niam Chiang Meng said that the council would conduct regular surveys and reviews of its programmes, and would also keep track of the number of foreigners who become permanent residents and eventually citizens.
'If the numbers increase, then it's a sign that what we are doing is effective and useful, that people want to call Singapore a home and they feel welcome here,' he said.
Dr Balakrishnan said that the efforts to integrate newcomers had to be a long-term initiative, and the more difficult challenge would be to get regular community support and participation from locals.
The 20-member NIC is made up of leaders from the community, private sector and government.
In addition to seven ministers, the council also includes representatives from the media, academia, community groups and the labour movement.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Big plans in store to foster closer ties
$10m fund created for groups to organise events and social gatherings
By LEE U-WEN
<TABLE class=storyLinks border=0 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=1 width=136 align=right><TBODY><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD>Email this article</TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD>Print article </TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD>Feedback</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
FIVE months after it was formed in April, the new National Integration Council (NIC) has laid out some ambitious plans to better integrate new immigrants into society.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>Dr Balakrishnan: 'If Singaporeans feel insecure or are under pressure, then this whole talk about being hospitable and greater integration, doing it will be very difficult.' </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Chief on its list is the creation of a three-year, $10- million fund that will help organisations kick-start projects to create more opportunities for Singaporeans, new citizens and permanent residents to meet and understand one another in a conducive setting.
The money can be used for events such as festival celebrations, sports and family day get-togethers, which would allow the community to make new friends and learn about different cultures and backgrounds, said NIC chairman Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday.
He took the opportunity to drive home a point made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday: Singaporeans will always come first because 'membership has its privileges'.
'It's a key message we want to put across. If Singaporeans feel insecure or are under pressure, then this whole talk about being hospitable and greater integration, doing it will be very difficult,' said Dr Balakrishnan, who is also the community development, youth and sports (MCYS) minister.
The total number of new Singaporeans and PRs here is rising, according to latest figures from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. In 2007, there were 80,891 newcomers to the Republic. This figure shot up to 99,680 last year.
Also under the NIC are four working groups - schools, workplaces, community and media - that will each be chaired by a relevant permanent secretary.
To bridge the language barrier, the council will encourage companies to send their employees for English courses and raise awareness of the different options available in the market today.
But a difficult question remains: Just how does one measure the success of the council in determining whether a newcomer has integrated into the community?
MCYS permanent secretary and council member Niam Chiang Meng said that the council would conduct regular surveys and reviews of its programmes, and would also keep track of the number of foreigners who become permanent residents and eventually citizens.
'If the numbers increase, then it's a sign that what we are doing is effective and useful, that people want to call Singapore a home and they feel welcome here,' he said.
Dr Balakrishnan said that the efforts to integrate newcomers had to be a long-term initiative, and the more difficult challenge would be to get regular community support and participation from locals.
The 20-member NIC is made up of leaders from the community, private sector and government.
In addition to seven ministers, the council also includes representatives from the media, academia, community groups and the labour movement.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>