National Integration Council
nationalintegrationcouncil.org.sg/about/national-integration-council
About NIC
Our forefathers came mainly from the Malay Peninsula, the Indonesian isles, China, the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka. Although Singaporeans are of different backgrounds, we are able to build a harmonious society because we value the importance of accepting and understanding one another. This harmony has not come about naturally and everyone in Singapore must recognise their role in actively reaching out to each other to preserve our social cohesion and harmony.
Against this backdrop, the National Integration Council (NIC) was set-up in April 2009 to drive integration efforts in a comprehensive, sustainable and ground-up manner through the partnership of the public, people and private (3P) sectors. In promoting integration, the NIC seeks to:
Increase awareness of the importance of integration for our continued success as a society and nation Help newcomers adapt to the Singaporean way of life, including helping them better understand local cultures and social norms Grow common spaces and provide platforms for Singaporeans and new immigrants to interact Facilitate the formation of friendships and shared experiences among Singaporeans and non-locals, so as to foster mutual understanding and acceptance through their interactions Foster and deepen emotional attachment and a sense of belonging to Singapore among new immigrants
Singapore’s approach to integration does not demand that new immigrants abandon their own beliefs and culture. Rather, we expect them to share commonalities, values and experiences with fellow Singaporeans so that we can all work together to achieve our aspirations and build the best home for ourselves and our children.
Our Guiding Principles
The NIC engages in strategic partnerships and collaborations with partners from the public, people and private sectors to develop ground-up initiatives and are guided by the following principles when seeking to foster integration: 1. Integration is a two way process Successful integration first requires the building of inter-personal relationships between locals and new immigrants. Both sides therefore have a role to play in 1/10 reaching out to one another. 2. Everyone has a role to play All individuals, across different spheres and levels of society, can help to deepen social integration in Singapore in the course of their daily lives, so that integration can be effective and sustained over the long term. No effort is too small or inadequate. 3. Integration takes time Immigrants have spent their formative years in another country and may bring with them their own social habits, languages, beliefs and values. They will thus need time to learn about, and adapt to, our local norms as well as customs. Integration is a continual process that will bear fruit over time, if we show determination, patience and perseverance.
NIC Members
The National Integration Council (NIC) comprises members from the public, people and private sectors. Chaired by the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Grace Fu, the Council meets regularly to deliberate on strategies and programmes to improve integration outcomes. The Council members are:
Ms Grace Fu
Chairman, National Integration Council Minister for Culture, Community and Youth
2/10 Dr Alexius A Pereira
President, Eurasian Association
Mr Amrin Amin
Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health
Mr Bruce Poh
CEO, ITE Education Services Pte Ltd Executive Deputy Chairman, WorldSkills Singapore Council
Mr Chua Chim Kang
Head, Chinese Editorial Content, Mediacorp
3/10 Mr Desmond Tan Kok Ming
Chief Executive Director, People’s Association
Mr Han Kwee Juan
Managing Director and Group Head, Strategy and Planning, DBS Bank Ltd
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications & Information and Ministry of Transport Chairman, OnePeople.sg
4/10 Ms Jeanne Liew
Principal and CEO, Nanyang Polytechnic
Mr Jeff Cheong
President, Tribal DDB Asia
Mrs Josephine Teo
Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Home Affairs
5/10 Mr Laurence Chin
Council Member, Singapore National Employers Federation Country Manager, Singapore, United Airlines
Prof Ling San
Provost, Nanyang Technological University
Ms Low Khah Gek
Director & Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Technical Education
6/10 Mr Masagos Zulkifli
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Mr Mayank Parekh
CEO, Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP)
Mr Nazri Hadi Saparin
Assistant to Editor, Berita Harian
7/10 Mr Ng Chee Meng
Minister, Prime Minister's Office
Mr Ong Ye Kung
Minister for Education
Mr Phua Kiah Mai
Deputy Secretary-General, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations
8/10 Mr Piragasam Munisamy
Assistant General Secretary, Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees' Union (SMEEU)
Ms Sabanitha Shanmugasundram
Head, Indian Audience, Mediacorp
Mr Tan Richard
General Secretary, United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries (UWEEI)
9/10 Dr Tan Wu Meng
Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Trade and Industry
Ms Tracey Ho
Director, Atticus Consulting Pte Ltd
10/10