Inaugural Sikh Symposium discusses key challenges facing Singapore

Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, delivered the keynote address for the inaugural Singapore Sikh Symposium titled “A Changing World: Determining the Right Fit for Singapore” on 19 August 2006, at RELC, Orange Grove Road.

Organised by YSA, the symposium was both timely and opportune. Held to coincide with Singapore’s 41st National Day, the symposium examined key social, political and economic issues confronting Singapore in a changing local and international environment. These included the impact of globalisation, social entrepreneurship, employment and employability, political and civic participation, evolving a national identity among young Singaporeans and Singapore’s changing education landscape.

The event witnessed presentations by eminent speakers from the private and public sectors, including Mr Tay Kheng Soon, Principal Partner, Akitek Tenggara; Ms Claire Chiang, President, Singapore Compact for Corporate Social Responsibility and Senior Vice President, Banyan Tree Holdings Pvt Ltd; Mr Ong Ye Kung, Chief Executive, Workforce Development Agency; Mr Viswa Sadasivan, Chairman, Political Development Group, Feedback Unit; Professor Kirpal Singh, Associate Professor of Literature & Creative Thinking, Singapore Management University; and Dr Mukesh Aghi, Chief Executive Officer, U21 Global.

The symposium aimed at providing the platform for young Singaporeans in particular and Singaporeans in general to gain a further understanding of local, regional and global issues and developments. Through the event, YSA also hoped to reinforce the vital need for Singaporeans of all ethnicity and backgrounds working together to ensure that we overcome the challenges facing the State in our effort to find our place in the international community.

The event was supported by the Lee Foundation, Singapore Totalisator Board, Singapore Turf Club, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Skyservice Pte Ltd (Air Sahara), National Youth Council (through its Youth Development Fund Grant), the Sikh Centre and the Singapore Sikh Education Foundation.