About the Book

The book aims to promote greater understanding of social cohesion amidst existing complexities of faith and identity, and what this portends for our future. The emphasis is on the importance of engagement across beliefs and cultures, the different generations and segments of population, and the diverse interests of people in a digital and interconnected world. The policy officials, religious leaders, scholars and society-at-large will be able to better appreciate the search for common ground and harmony, thereby strengthening their endeavours for coexistence. The book seeks to continue the conversations and deliberations at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) held from 19 to 21 June 2019 in Singapore. The three themes of the ICCS — Faith, Identity, Cohesion — stimulated significant discussions on the need for mutual respect, trust and understanding of each other’s beliefs and cultures. Many ideas on the ways forward were raised. Further discourse and thought are necessary. An unprecedented line-up of academic, civil society, government, intellectual, policy, religious and youth leaders provided a wide array of perspectives on challenging issues faced by diverse societies around the world. The transcripts of the official speeches elucidate the vision of leadership and aspiration looking ahead. The book also features photographs and graphic recordings of the key thrust articulated during the ICCS.

About the Editors

Dr Jolene Jerard is an Assistant Professor of the Homeland Security Programme Rabdan Academy, United Arab Emirates. She is concurrently Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, where she was formerly the Deputy Head of its International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR). Dr Jerard received her PhD in International Relations from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK. Specialising in terrorist and extremist groups in Asia, she has conducted research in several threat zones including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Yemen. She was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) in Afghanistan and consulted for the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute.

Ms Amanda Huan is an Associate Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She was a key member of the RSIS organising secretariat for the International Conference on Cohesive Societies. At RSIS, Ms Huan’s research focuses on international institutions, great power relations, politi¬cal psychology, and decision-making. She has developed and carried out numerous projects in the areas of multilateralism and security, including work for two SNA-NTU research grants. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and trade publications, and presented at international conferences.