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[h=2]Interest groups formed to ‘connect’ SGs and FTs :oIo:[/h]
April 28th, 2014 |
Author: Editorial
Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP for Marine Parade GRC
Assoc Prof Dr Fatimah Lateef, a member of the Panel of Activists for
Community Engagement (PACE), indicated yesterday (27 Apr) that interest groups
will be formed at all 87 constituencies islandwide to help residents better
understand cultural sensitivities, and the different practices and beliefs in
Singapore.
This is an initiative by the People’s Association (PA), which aims to
encourage interaction and strengthen bonds among residents so as to minimise
misunderstandings.
PA volunteers will be made Community Engagement Programme (CEP) “connectors”.
The role of these connectors is to serve as ambassadors in promoting cultural
awareness, understanding and mutual respect. They will lead the interest groups
at all the 87 constituencies islandwide.
Dr Fatimah said it is about taking a proactive approach to living in a
multi-racial and multi-cultural nation:
When you interact with people from different backgrounds, you need to have a
certain level of understanding and also a level of trust.
Through the CEP Connector programme, I think we are able to do this by
creating awareness, educating people so that they understand a bit more of the
different cultures and different practices.
The interest groups will organise cultural activities to bring Singaporeans
and new immigrants together.
One of the connectors is Dr Sean Patrick Rozario. He is in charge of
Moulmein constituency.
Dr Rozario said, “Being near Little India, I think it is very important
because of the recent spate of events with foreign workers. We cannot just brand
them as foreign workers who cause trouble. I don’t think that is the right
way.”
“What we need to do actually is to make them feel that they’re a part of
Singapore, encourage them to come to our events… and then maybe there will be a
change and everyone gets to understand each other better.”
Incidentally, Dr Rozario spoke at Dr Tony Tan’s rally during the last
Presidential Election [Link].
Euphemia Chong, a connector for Queenstown constituency, said, “The new
citizens are coming in to our area, Queenstown. Usually, we invite them down to
the event together with us, to also understand the roots of where they come from
and also to understand their culture.”
Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP for Marine Parade GRC
Assoc Prof Dr Fatimah Lateef, a member of the Panel of Activists for
Community Engagement (PACE), indicated yesterday (27 Apr) that interest groups
will be formed at all 87 constituencies islandwide to help residents better
understand cultural sensitivities, and the different practices and beliefs in
Singapore.
This is an initiative by the People’s Association (PA), which aims to
encourage interaction and strengthen bonds among residents so as to minimise
misunderstandings.
PA volunteers will be made Community Engagement Programme (CEP) “connectors”.
The role of these connectors is to serve as ambassadors in promoting cultural
awareness, understanding and mutual respect. They will lead the interest groups
at all the 87 constituencies islandwide.
Dr Fatimah said it is about taking a proactive approach to living in a
multi-racial and multi-cultural nation:
When you interact with people from different backgrounds, you need to have a
certain level of understanding and also a level of trust.
Through the CEP Connector programme, I think we are able to do this by
creating awareness, educating people so that they understand a bit more of the
different cultures and different practices.
and new immigrants together.
Moulmein constituency.
Dr Rozario said, “Being near Little India, I think it is very important
because of the recent spate of events with foreign workers. We cannot just brand
them as foreign workers who cause trouble. I don’t think that is the right
way.”
“What we need to do actually is to make them feel that they’re a part of
Singapore, encourage them to come to our events… and then maybe there will be a
change and everyone gets to understand each other better.”
Incidentally, Dr Rozario spoke at Dr Tony Tan’s rally during the last
Presidential Election [Link].
Euphemia Chong, a connector for Queenstown constituency, said, “The new
citizens are coming in to our area, Queenstown. Usually, we invite them down to
the event together with us, to also understand the roots of where they come from
and also to understand their culture.”
