<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Feb 12, 2009
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>4 principles to help S'pore stay open and cohesive
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Vivian stresses need to welcome global talent and integrate them </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Sue-Ann Chia
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->SINGAPORE is finding ways to integrate the growing pool of new immigrants here, with Dr Vivian Balakrishnan listing four 'cardinal' principles to forge an open and cohesive society.
The chairman of the newly formed National Integration Council (NIC) said it was important to remain open to global talent and integrate newcomers - just as Singapore's forefathers did.
But one difference this time is that new immigrants 'are joining a club with pre-existing members'. And while the temptation in a recession is to close the doors, Singapore cannot afford to do so.
Thus, in thinking about how to remain open and cohesive, he suggested that four principles be considered.
The first: Singapore is for Singaporeans. Citizenship has its privileges:
'All Singaporeans have a birthright: Only Singaporeans have the right to vote, and that is why a government's sacred duty is to safeguard the long-term interests of Singaporeans...We cannot shield Singaporeans from competition, but we will help Singaporeans get a head start, nurture their full potential, and pick them up when they stumble.'
He said even 'potential recruits' want to see that membership has privileges.
But putting Singaporeans first did not mean shutting the doors, he said, outlining the second principle: staying open.
'The only way we will thrive is by providing high value-added services and products to the world,' he said.
This requires talent.
'While I would like to think that our marriage and procreation policies will have an impact, the truth is that they will probably not work quickly enough.'
Thus, the third principle is to integrate all those who live and work in Singapore. It must be done with an open mind and an open heart. Integration was a two-way street, he said, adding that even as foreigners did their best to fit in, locals must do their most to welcome them.
The last and most critical principle: upholding the Singapore system and ideals.
Citing a line in Singapore's Pledge on building a democratic society based on justice and equality, he said: 'A fair and merit-based system is essential for our children to fulfil their potential and to attract the best people to be a part of Singapore's future.'
Dr Balakrishnan, who is Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, was responding to Mr Heng Chee How (Jalan Besar GRC) during the debate on his ministry's budget yesterday.
Mr Heng asked about managing relations between foreigners and Singaporeans in the workplace and the community.
Dr Balakrishnan said Mr Heng hit the nail on the head when he noted that 'Singapore must remain an open city and anchor itself at the crossroads of talent,
ideas and commerce if Singaporeans are to have good jobs and a good living'.
Calling to mind the fact that Singapore was built by those who came from across the globe, the minister said: 'Without a constant inflow of immigrants, we would have remained a fishing village, or at best a simple trading port. To avoid regressing to that state, we must continue to remain open to hard-working talent from around the world.'
He said the NIC, announced last week, will have four sub-committees focusing on the community, school, media and workplace. Each will devise ways to help foreigners settle in and mingle with Singaporeans. For instance, the community sub-committee will look to increase grassroots social events with the People's Association providing $1 million for outreach activities for new immigrants.
The NIC was formed amid rising foreigner numbers. Last year, 20,513 foreigners became Singapore citizens and 79,167 took up permanent residency. [email protected]
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>4 principles to help S'pore stay open and cohesive
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Vivian stresses need to welcome global talent and integrate them </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Sue-Ann Chia
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->SINGAPORE is finding ways to integrate the growing pool of new immigrants here, with Dr Vivian Balakrishnan listing four 'cardinal' principles to forge an open and cohesive society.
The chairman of the newly formed National Integration Council (NIC) said it was important to remain open to global talent and integrate newcomers - just as Singapore's forefathers did.
But one difference this time is that new immigrants 'are joining a club with pre-existing members'. And while the temptation in a recession is to close the doors, Singapore cannot afford to do so.
Thus, in thinking about how to remain open and cohesive, he suggested that four principles be considered.
The first: Singapore is for Singaporeans. Citizenship has its privileges:
'All Singaporeans have a birthright: Only Singaporeans have the right to vote, and that is why a government's sacred duty is to safeguard the long-term interests of Singaporeans...We cannot shield Singaporeans from competition, but we will help Singaporeans get a head start, nurture their full potential, and pick them up when they stumble.'
He said even 'potential recruits' want to see that membership has privileges.
But putting Singaporeans first did not mean shutting the doors, he said, outlining the second principle: staying open.
'The only way we will thrive is by providing high value-added services and products to the world,' he said.
This requires talent.
'While I would like to think that our marriage and procreation policies will have an impact, the truth is that they will probably not work quickly enough.'
Thus, the third principle is to integrate all those who live and work in Singapore. It must be done with an open mind and an open heart. Integration was a two-way street, he said, adding that even as foreigners did their best to fit in, locals must do their most to welcome them.
The last and most critical principle: upholding the Singapore system and ideals.
Citing a line in Singapore's Pledge on building a democratic society based on justice and equality, he said: 'A fair and merit-based system is essential for our children to fulfil their potential and to attract the best people to be a part of Singapore's future.'
Dr Balakrishnan, who is Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, was responding to Mr Heng Chee How (Jalan Besar GRC) during the debate on his ministry's budget yesterday.
Mr Heng asked about managing relations between foreigners and Singaporeans in the workplace and the community.
Dr Balakrishnan said Mr Heng hit the nail on the head when he noted that 'Singapore must remain an open city and anchor itself at the crossroads of talent,
ideas and commerce if Singaporeans are to have good jobs and a good living'.
Calling to mind the fact that Singapore was built by those who came from across the globe, the minister said: 'Without a constant inflow of immigrants, we would have remained a fishing village, or at best a simple trading port. To avoid regressing to that state, we must continue to remain open to hard-working talent from around the world.'
He said the NIC, announced last week, will have four sub-committees focusing on the community, school, media and workplace. Each will devise ways to help foreigners settle in and mingle with Singaporeans. For instance, the community sub-committee will look to increase grassroots social events with the People's Association providing $1 million for outreach activities for new immigrants.
The NIC was formed amid rising foreigner numbers. Last year, 20,513 foreigners became Singapore citizens and 79,167 took up permanent residency. [email protected]
