CCE : RHD 2024

Racial

Harmony Day

What people say about living in our multicultural Singapore

“It’s rare for Westerners and Chinese people to have the

chance to hear the sound of the sitar (stringed instrument)
but, in Singapore, we don’t lack cultural diversity. We have

Indian, Malay and Chinese music. Here, we have the
opportunity to see, learn, and understand different

cultures.”

Krsna Dasa Tan, band member from Flame of the Forest

Extract from ST IN ‘Making music that embraces diverse

cultures’

“In my 22 years here, I have found most Singaporeans very
welcoming, but [we] have to make an effort, too. That
could mean spending some time living in an HDB flat, where
I formed some friendships that still last, connecting with co-
workers, learning some Singlish, or joining a local place of
worship.”

Mr Dietzel, a foreign national living in Singapore

Extract from The Straits Times, 6 Jul 2023

Most Singaporeans view their nation’s diversity as good
for the country. Overall, 56% say that having people of
different religions, ethnic groups and cultures makes
Singapore a better place to live. Only 4% say such diversity
makes their country a worse place to live, while 37% say it
makes little difference.

William Miner, research assistant focusing on religion

Extract from ‘In Singapore, religious diversity and tolerance go

hand in hand’, 6 Oct 2023

“(While) there are national policies that include the different
races, and efforts are made to include people from different

groups… But I feel like on the ground, when you're
experiencing interpersonal relationships, and you're

experiencing racism on a day-to-day basis, it can really make

you feel otherwise.“

Mr Sharvesh, co-founder and editor of Minority Voices

Extract from The Straits Times, 2 Jun 2022

Multiculturalism involves…

• Recognition of the coexistence of people from different

races, ethnicities, and nationalities within the same
community, with an emphasis on valuing each culture.

• Ensuring that each community feels a sense of belonging.

Let’s Watch!

#KampungSpace | Filling the Void (Deck)

Open Ended

What are some examples of active multiculturalism observed in the video?

Open Ended

What is your experience of active multiculturalism in Singapore?

“Our whole approach in Singapore is to practice active

multiculturalism, not just practising our own faiths and allowing

others to practise freely, but understanding what is common

among the different faiths and, very importantly, through events
like this and many others, creating common platforms for people

of different religions and ethnicities to come together.”

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Then-Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies

Current President of Singapore

8 April 2023

Source: Prime Minister’s Office

Line Continuum

1

5

Strongly
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

On a scale of 1 – 5, how far do you agree with the statement?

“Youths have a role in contributing to active

multiculturalism in Singapore.”

Poll

“Youths have a role in contributing to active multiculturalism in Singapore"

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

(Practising active multiculturalism) does not happen

naturally; we have got to create it…. at the end of the day,

it has to become the social instinct amongst

Singaporeans: getting together in school, at work, in the

neighbourhood; getting together at each other’s festivities;

and celebrating our common humanity.

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Then-Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies

Current President of Singapore

8 April 2023

Source: Prime Minister’s Office

Open Ended

What is one thing you would start or
continue doing to contribute to active multiculturalism?