26 February 2002

SPEECH BY DR NG ENG HEN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AJC CHINESE CULTURAL WEEK HELD ON TUESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2002, 12.15 PM, AT ANDERSON JUNIOR COLLEGE

1. Singaporeans today are living through very exciting and yet challenging times. Globalisation has made the world smaller and Singapore is deeply plugged into this highly-connected global village. With the effortless flow of information and ideas through media and the internet, the region and, indeed the world is now our neighbourhood.

2. How then can Singaporeans be citizens of the world, plugged into the global community, and yet retain our distinct identity as Singaporeans, and members of our respective ethnic communities?

3. The September 11 terrorist attacks on the US and the recent ISA arrests in Singapore of the Jemaah Islamiah members serve as useful lessons for all of us. For some, it is still hard to accept that terrorist activities could happen within our very shores. The urgent challenge facing Singapore today is to strengthen understanding and mutual appreciation between the different ethnic communities in Singapore

4. Our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society can be represented by 4 overlapping circles, each representing one major ethnic group. The unique traditions and culture of each ethnic group need not be divisive. We are essentially an immigrant society. Our forebears settled in Singapore from many shores - the Malay peninsula, China and India - in search of a better life. Regardless of their differences, they worked hard together to bring us to where we are today - a prosperous and harmonious city state

5. The challenge for this generation is to expand the area of overlap between the 4 circles, so as to build social cohesion and a sense of nationhood. I believe that events such as this Chinese Traditional Culture Week will help us, regardless of race or religion, to learn about different cultures within our community. I hope that, learning will lead to understanding ; and understanding to appreciation and acceptance of the the differences in traditions and cultures between different ethnic communities. The philosophies, value systems, literature, arts and the crafts of each community are legacies that have withstood the test of time. In the current millennium characterised by rapid changes, let us not lose these fine traditions and culture or lose interest in our heritage. I encourage you to discover the joys and beauty of your heritage, and hope that you will in turn be the bridge between the past and the future as you pass on this heritage to future generations.

6. As you recognise the richness of your own ethnic identities, you must also learn to respect and accommodate the differences of other ethnic groups. It is only with trust and harmony that Singaporeans can truly call themselves "One People, One Nation, One Singapore".

7. Let me also take this opportunity to wish you a happy "Yuan Xiao". Thank you.