Home > Media Centre > Speeches Printer-friendly page

EMBARGOED UNTIL AFTER DELIVERY
PLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

 

SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE N7 CLUSTER MULTICULTURAL CARNIVAL 'KNOWING YOU, KNOWING ME' AT FUCHUN COMMUNITY CLUB, ON SATURDAY, 12 JULY 2003, AT 8.30 AM

 

Assoc Professor Chin Tet Yung, MP for Woodlands

Dr Mohd Maliki Osman, MP for Admiralty

Mrs Bilveer Singh, Principal of Qihua Primary School and Chairman of Organising Committee

Mrs Shirley Ho, Superintendent, North 7 Cluster (N7)

Mr Cheong Khim Teck, BBM, Chairman, Marsiling CCC

Grassroots Leaders of Sembawang GRC

Ladies and Gentlemen

Boys and Girls

 

Good Morning

 

Introduction 

1.           I am happy to join you at the launch of the Multi-Cultural Carnival, "Knowing You, Knowing Me". This theme is very apt - I am confident that after your experience at this Carnival, you will boldly say that you have familiarised yourself with another culture and, at the same time, are assured that your culture is similarly understood by others.

Richness of Different Cultures 

2.           I must say that I was invigorated by the energy of the young performers earlier. The grace and dexterity of the lion dance troopers, the harmonious chanting of the dikir barat performers and the vigour and agility of the Bhangra dancers have certainly set right the festive mood of this Carnival. The three performances also show up one thing - that we are all the richer for the differences that each culture brings. This is indeed a key aspect of a multi-cultural society - this rich mix of cultures, traditions and religions.

Social Cohesiveness 

3.           I am heartened to see this group of young people working together in unity, shedding their cultural differences to make this carnival a success. It is particularly encouraging to witness the enthusiasm of a group of young Singaporeans coming together to share the values of racial harmony with the community.

4.           An event like this Multi-Cultural Carnival has a truly Singaporean flavour, where people of diverse backgrounds come together to contribute their time and talent for a common purpose. Just as Singapore has drawn on the rich histories and cultures of our different communities to build our own traditions and history, this Carnival also draws on the gifts and strengths of a varied group of people to ensure its success. The group comprises the staff, pupils and parents of the 12 schools in the North 7 Cluster, as well as grassroots leaders of the Sembawang GRC, particularly Marsiling Constituency and members of the Fuchun Community Club. In coming together, whether to contribute or participate in the Carnival, opportunities for fostering friendships and cultivating emotional ties among people of different races, cultures and religious affiliations are created. In this way, the common space we share is enlarged.

Role of Schools in Promoting Social Cohesion 

5.           Most of our children learn the importance of making friends with children of different races from a young age. Our national schools inculcate values of racial harmony among our young through a range of school-based activities through the core curriculum and the Co-Curricular activities programme. It is not uncommon to see Malay children playing with their Chinese and Indian friends. In fact some of them have already learnt some simple phrases to help them exchange civilities in the vernacular tongues. Some are also involved in Home-Stay and Home-Visit programmes where they get to spend time in the home of their friends to better understand and appreciate a different culture and another community's customs. Over time, the children will develop lasting emotional ties which are critical in helping to bind Singaporeans' commitment to the core values and ideals of our country. These values are meritocracy, equal opportunities for all, and space for every citizen and community to live harmoniously together. The values are the bedrock of our multi-cultural society.

Partnerships among Schools 

6.          There is scope for schools to broaden and deepen inter-racial mixing and understanding among our students through partnerships with one another. This multi-cultural carnival, organized by the North 7 cluster schools, is a good example of the collaborative efforts by schools to broaden inter-racial mixing. These events not only remind our students and staff of the importance of bonding together, but also help them to appreciate the cultures of other ethnic groups and to respect their differences. Merely being tolerant of each other's culture is not good enough. Social cohesion is achieved only when we move beyond tolerance to appreciation and understanding.

7.           We must see beyond our race and religion, and keep on renewing and strengthening the social glue that binds us. Where we can enlarge the common space amongst the different communities, we should do so. Working together in organising such activities allows schools to increase the common space where our young can study and play together, foster friendships, cultivate emotional ties and identify themselves as Singaporeans. By providing our children with a set of common experiences and shared values, they will learn to look beyond their cultural differences and focus on the commonalities that bind them.

8.           I am pleased to see that schools in the North 7 Cluster have made efforts to collaborate with other stakeholders in education, such as parents and the grassroot leaders in Marsiling Constituency and of the Fuchun Community Centre to organise this carnival. This carnival gives our students the opportunity to foster inter-racial understanding and mixing not only among their fellow students, but also with the community. The community has an important role to play in reinforcing the values taught in school and in helping our children appreciate and respect other cultures. I would like to encourage parents and community groups to take on a more active role in promoting racial harmony values and social cohesion among our young. When we make connections with fellow Singaporeans and bond with them in mind and spirit, we are all the more able to realise the vision of a cohesive and vibrant Singapore society.

Conclusion 

9.           At this juncture, I would like to commend the organisers for planning this Multi-Cultural Carnival. I would also like to thank grassroot leaders of Marsiling Constituency and the North West Community Development Council for funding and partnering the North 7 Cluster schools in organizing this event. Your joint efforts will certainly bear fruit when we see communities gathering together in friendship and harmony.

10.         May I wish all of you here a fruitful and enjoyable time at the Carnival. It is my honour now to declare the launch of the Multi-Cultural Carnival 2003.