Strengthening Singapore’s Exceptionalism by Cultivating a 'We-First' Nation

Student representatives from SUSS, Nadhira Fateen Safeel and Jerald Teoh, pose with Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

On January 20, 2025, two students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) joined national leaders and experts at the Institute of Policy Studies' (IPS) annual flagship conference, Singapore Perspectives.  Held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, this year's conference, themed "Community," explored the critical need to strengthen social bonds in Singapore amidst growing global fragmentation.

The conference opened with an address by IPS Director, Mr. Janadas Devan, who highlighted the challenges of building inclusive communities in increasingly diverse societies.  Three panel discussions followed, examining the roles of the state, the market, and organized society in fostering community.  Speakers drew upon seminal works like Robert D. Putnam's Bowling Alone (2000) and Soon and Koh's Civil Society and the State in Singapore (2017) to analyze the evolving functions of state support, market dynamics, and civil society organizations in cultivating social capital and community engagement in contemporary Singapore.

Nadhira Fateen Safeel, a second-year Human Resource Management student, Sustainability Committee chairperson, and Stewards Programme member, shared her key takeaway: "Singaporean identity transcends race, religion, and origin. It's about embodying kindness, upholding strong moral values, and embracing acceptance. The panelists emphasized the importance of united communities, resilient in the face of challenges, to ensure a strong and harmonious Singapore for generations to come."

Jerald Teoh, a second-year Public Safety and Security student and member of 1SUSS (Body of student voices), engaged with Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr. Edwin Tong, during the closing dialogue. He inquired about the potential contributions of universities and academia to community building in Singapore.  Reflecting on the conference, Jerald noted, "Hearing panelists share their experiences at both the governance and grassroots levels provided valuable insights into developing 'bonding' and 'bridging' social capital in Singapore's diverse society.  Connecting with fellow students from other Institutes of Higher Learning inspired me.  Many are leading projects to revive the 'kampong spirit' for a new generation, and I'm excited about future collaborations."

For more information, click here.