Building a National Identity Multi-Racialism Common Practices Bilingualism

Impacts

Social: No one has an advantage over others as English is a non-native language for all the ethnic groups.

Social: Use of English has helped communication among Singaporeans and this leads to a sense of national identity as everyone speaks a common language.

Impacts

Social: Such practices help to foster national identity as everyone carries out the activity together as one while bonding.

Socio-Political-Economic: Tourists & foreigners would think of Singapore as a united and faithful country upon seeing our togetherness in participating in such practices and this would leave a good impression on

Social: However, such practices alone are not enough to create a national identity. This is such as some people sing the National Anthem and take the pledge in school as it has become a routine from young and thus, these people sing the anthem and take the pledge devoid of understanding the significance and importance of the National Anthem and pledge.

Social: However, not everyone in Singapore are well-educated especially citizens of older generations and hence, these citizens are only fluent in their own mother tongue and not English resulting in a slight sense of discrimination and lack of knowledge.

Social: Despite the policy of multi-racialism, some people choose to be ignorant and insensitive by passing uncalled for comments despite being aware of the consequences and this affects the country socially, negatively.

Safeguarding the Interests of Minority Groups

* Minority Representation

* Self-help Groups

Minority Representation

* policy which gives minority groups a say in governance.

* the Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) consists of members from minority racial & religious groups.

* the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) ensures that at least one of the candidates in the team contesting in the General Election is from the minority racial communities.

Self-help Groups

* Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), Mendaki & the Eurasian Association play a vital role in helping members of their community who are less fortunate to get aid in their studies & training for jobs.

* gives moral support to members of their own community.

Impacts

Social: The PCMR ensures that no racial or religious group is disadvantaged as a result of a law that is passed in Parliament. The GRC system ensures that the minority racial groups are represented in the Parliament. In this way, the concerns & needs of the minority groups are made known to the government and hence, there is no inferiority. Through this, the citizens of minority groups will be grateful for the effort and thought put into implementing laws & this would ensure social cohesion.

Impacts

Socio-Economic: Self-help groups aid Singaporeans in coping and competing with one another on an equal footing. This allows the citizens of minority groups to improve their social & economic positions in society.

Developing Common Space

* Events & Programmes Organised by Grassroots Organisations

* Opportunities Offered by Educational Institutions

* Common Living Space Provided by Public Housing

* Activities Conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs) & Harmony Circles (HCs)

* Shared Experience through National Service

Events & Programmes Organised by Grassroots Organisations

* Wide range of programmes & activites developed to cater to the needs & interests of every Singaporean.

Opportunities Offered by Educational Institutions

* Open to every Singaporean, regardless of race, language or religion.

* Implementation of CCAs helps promote closer bonds.

Common Living Space Provided by Public Housing

* Limit on the proportion of races in every neighbourhood and block.

* Ensures that there is an even distribution of different races in all housing estates.

Activities Conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs) & Harmony Circles (HCs)

* Help to foster understanding between different ethnic groups through activities such as visits to places of worship.

Shared Experience through National Service

* In NS, physically fit men from all ethnic groups undergo military training.

Impacts

Social: Such activities allow better understanding of the cultures & customs of other races, leading to a stronger bond.

Impacts

Social: Daily interaction strengthens & cultivates friendships & fosters a closer friendship & bond.

Impacts

Social: Provides opportunities for people from different ethnic groups to interact which leads to a stronger bond.

Impacts

Social: Differences are appreciated and strong bonds are developed through activities carried out & interaction.

Impacts

Social: Bonds are strengthened among the men through the training they go undergo together.