19 June 2019
Wednesday 19 June 2019
Fairmont Ballroom, Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore
Her Excellency, Madam Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore
Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good evening to all and welcome to the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (or in short, ICCS).
This Conference is organised to bring together religious and community leaders, policy makers, scholars and young people to share and develop ideas on how to strengthen social cohesion.
You might have noticed the “Many Beliefs, One Future” exhibition which is a part of the ICCS. The exhibition presents community artefacts and artworks that capture how people of different faiths and traditions connect with one another, whether as individuals, families, communities, or as nations, across history and in our present day.
We meet today in an age of increased connectivity and rapid technological development. While positive, they have also brought on challenges, especially when coupled with intensifying identity politics. We are seeing more conflicts and clashes among communities nowadays, heightened and spread like wildfire by connectivity.
We live in a time where conversations surrounding race and religion are often marred by negative emotions such as hatred and fear. The place of worship has become the target of violence instead of a peaceful sanctuary for believers.
Going forward, constructive and effective conversations on interfaith issues need to take place. Mutual respect and trust can only be restored when there is awareness and understanding.
Tonight’s dinner is an excellent opportunity to start our conversations. Through your mingling and interaction over the next few days, we hope you will pick up ideas from one another about building cohesive societies and how to sustain social cohesion in diverse societies. Let us work together to build a community of advocates for cohesive societies. Our wish is to celebrate dialogue and harmonious co-existence.
In a while, we will hear how local religious leaders in Singapore have worked together for the past year on an initiative to re-affirm their commitment to shared values that uphold religious harmony. We are pleased that the presentation of this Commitment to Safeguard Religious Harmony is held in conjunction with the ICCS.
Peaceful cohesive societies are our collective endeavour. We can achieve this if all of us are committed to this ideal.
I hope you will enjoy the dinner conversations. Our energetic team has also included some special performances for this opening dinner of the ICCS. Thank you for being here.
Related Content
Coverage
- 30 June 2019
- Unwinding the Biggest Enemies of Religion: A Conversation with Karen Armstrong, Channel NewsAsia, 30 June 2019
- 25 June 2019
- Working to Expand Space for Cohesion, The Straits Times, 25 June 2019
- 24 June 2019
- From Catholic Nun to Respected Author on the World’s Religions, The Straits Times, 24 June 2019
- Heng Swee Keat Mentioned Rajaratnam’s “Democracy of Deeds” in 2 Different Speeches in a Week, Mothership, 24 June 2019
- 23 June 2019
- 18 Years and Counting: A Family’s Hari Raya Welcome for All, The Straits Times, 23 June 2019
- Non-Sikhs Get Crash Course on Community’s Culture and Religion, The Straits Times, 23 June 2019
- From a Neo-Nazi to an Advocate for Peace: The Story of a Former White Supremacist, TODAY, 23 June 2019
- What More could be Done for Social Cohesion, Singapore Tonight (CNA), 23 June 2019
- 22 June 2019
- Need to Nurture, Expand Our Common Spaces: DPM Heng Swee Keat, The Straits Times, 22 June 2019
- Inter-faith Studies can Boost Cohesion, Say Experts, The Straits Times, 22 June 2019
- Ex-white Supremacist and Anti-terror Activist Share Tales of Extremism, The Straits Times, 22 June 2019
- Learning Journeys to Places of Worship for Singaporeans to Know More about Religion and Culture, The Straits Times, 22 June 2019
- 王瑞杰:应对全球性挑战 社会应建立互信尊重, Lianhe Zaobao, 22 June 2019
- 王瑞杰:抗衡极端主义搭建互信桥梁 打造和谐社会年轻人扮演关键角色, Lianhe Zaobao, 22 June 2019
- 分享国家繁荣果实有助促进社会凝聚力, Lianhe Zaobao, 22 June 2019
- Tangani Cabaran Bersama Dengan Saling Percaya, Hormat, Berita Harian, 22 June 2019
- Masyarakat Islam Komited Lindungi Masyarakat Kohesif: Masagos, Berita Harian, 22 June 2019
- Soal Keimanan, Kemanusiaan Tema Ceramah Muis, Berita Harian, 22 June 2019
- Presiden Halimah: Negara Kecil Perlu Terus Sedia Tangani Cabaran Luar, Berita Harian, 22 June 2019
- 21 June 2019
- Countries Must Tackle Common Challenges with Mutual Trust and Respect: Heng Swee Keat, The Straits Times, 21 June 2019
- Religious and Worldview Studies in Schools can Help Strengthen Social Cohesion, Say Experts, The Straits Times, 21 June 2019
- Issues Affecting Inter-Religious Ties Can No Longer be Dealt with in Isolation, The Straits Times, 21 June 2019
- President Hopes Pledge on Religious Harmony will have Multiplier Effect, The Straits Times, 21 June 2019
- Draw on Religious Teachings to Help Promote Peace: Panel, The Straits Times, 21 June 2019
- Singapore, Jordan Look Forward to Deepening Cooperation in New Fields, The Straits Times, 21 June 2019
- Jordan’s King Calls for Joint Effort to Tackle Attack on Harmony, The Straits Times, 21 June 2019
- 王瑞杰:建立和谐社会 寻共性更为重要, Lianhe Zaobao, 21 June 2019
- 认同约旦国王观点 哈莉玛总统吁国人 团结抗衡网络极端言论, Lianhe Zaobao, 21 June 2019
- Cohesive Society Calls for Everyone to Build a “Democracy of Deeds”: Heng Swee Keat, TODAY, 21 June 2019
- Growing Diversity Means Common Spaces Must be Deliberately Nurtured: Heng Swee Keat, Channel NewsAsia, 21 June 2019
- Building Cohesiveness is a Work in Progress and Everyone has a Part to Play (2:10 to 3:37), News Tonight (Channel 8), 21 June 2019
- Anti-fake News Law Needed to Help Preserve Social Cohesion: Heng Swee Keat, Yahoo News, 21 June 2019
- Religious Leaders in S’pore Prayed for Heng Swee Keat’s Recovery After His May 2016 Stroke, Mothership, 21 June 2019
- Heng Swee Keat: S’pore Learnt to Built Cohesiveness & Diversity the Hard Way But still a Work in Progress, Mothership, 21 June 2019
- Raja Abdullah: Konflik Israel-Palestina Kobarkan Radikalisme, Republika, 21 June 2019
- 20 June 2019
- Religion Should be Part of the Solution for Peace, And Not the Problem: Interfaith Conference, The Straits Times, 20 June 2019
- Commitment to Safeguard Religious Harmony Can be Applied in Schools, Workplaces: President Halimah, The Straits Times, 20 June 2019
- President Halimah Stresses Key Ingredients for Social Harmony, The Straits Times, 20 June 2019
- International Conference on Cohesive Societies: Making Sure Nobody is Left Out of the Dialogue, The Straits Times, 20 June 2019
- King Abdullah of Jordan on Two-Day State Visit to S’pore, The Straits Times, 20 June 2019
- Attack on Interfaith Harmony, Mutual Respect and Trust is Single Biggest Threat, Says Jordan’s King Abdullah II, The Straits Times, 20 June 2019
- Photo from President Halimah’s Fireside Chat with YLP Participants, Today in Pictures, June 20, 2019 (The Straits Times), 20 June 2019
- 逾250组织加入《承诺》 誓维护宗教和谐, Lianhe Zaobao, 20 June 2019
- Nilai Saling Percaya Perkukuh Perpaduan: Presiden Halimah, Berita Harian, 20 June 2019
- British Religious Thinker at Singapore Forum Challenges People to Embrace the “Discomfort of Religion”, TODAY, 20 June 2019
- Risk to Inter-Faith Harmony “Single Most Important Threat” to the World Now: Jordan King, Channel NewsAsia, 20 June 2019
- Draw from Diversity as Source of Strength: President Halimah, The New Paper, 20 June 2019
- Palestinian State Living in Peace with Israel Crucial to Addressing Radicalism: King Abdullah II of Jordan, Mothership, 20 June 2019
- Attack on Inter-Faith Harmony is Greatest Threat in the World Today: King Abdullah of Jordan, Malaysia Today, 20 June 2019
- Singapore’s Strict Laws Alone Cannot Ensure Racial Cohesion: President Halimah Yacob, South China Morning Post, 20 June 2019
- Religious Leaders Make Commitment to Safeguard Harmony in Singapore, Yahoo News, 20 June 2019
- Attack on Inter-Faith Harmony is Greatest Threat in the World Today: King Abdullah of Jordan, Yahoo News, 20 June 2019
- President Halimah Underlines Need to Engage with Diversity, Strengthen Social Cohesion in Singapore, Asia News Network, 20 June 2019
- King Visits Singapore Armed Forces Commandos, The Jordan Times, 20 June 2019
- Singapore Meeting Calls for Defense of Social Cohesion, Anadolu Agency, 20 June 2019
- “Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Inflames Global Extremism”: Jordan’s King Abdullah, The New Arab, 20 June 2019
- Attack on Interfaith Harmony, Mutual Respect, and Trust Single Biggest Threat, Says Jordan’s King Abdullah II, The World News, 20 June 2019
- King Abdullah of Jordan Slams “Hate-filled Outlaws of Islam”, Arab News, 20 June 2019
- King Delivers Keynote Address at International Conference on Cohesive Societies in Singapore, Roya News, 20 June 2019
- “The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Has Fuelled Global Discord and Radicalism”— King, The Jordan Times, 20 June 2019
- Jordan King: Palestinians Must Have Their State, Al-Bawaba, 20 June 2019
- King Delivers Keynote Address at International Conference on Cohesive Societies in Singapore, MENAFN, 20 June 2019
- 19 June 2019
- International Conference on Cohesive Societies to Discuss Issues Surrounding Faith, Identity and Cohesion, The Straits Times, 19 June 2019
- President Halimah Underlines Need to Engage with Diversity, Strengthen Social Cohesion, The Straits Times, 19 June 2019
- “Everyone Has a Role”: President Halimah Meets Young Leaders to Discuss Social Cohesion, The Straits Times, 19 June 2019
- More than 250 Religious Organisations Commit to Safeguard Religious Harmony, The Straits Times, 19 June 2019
- Free Art Exhibition Showcases Singapore’s Religious Harmony, The Straits Times, 19 June 2019
- Jordanian King Abdullah II in Singapore for His Third State Visit, The Straits Times, 19 June 2019
- 约旦国王到我国进行两天国事访问, Lianhe Zaobao, 19 June 2019
- Singapore’s Key Religious Organisations Affirm Commitment to Religious Harmony, Channel NewsAsia, 19 June 2019
- 100 Pemimpin Muda Antarabangsa Bincang Isu-Isu Perpaduan, Keagamaan, Berita Mediacorp, 19 June 2019
- King to Address Singapore Int’l Conference on Cohesive Societies, The Jordan Times, 19 June 2019
- King Visits Singapore Armed Forces Commandos, MENAFN, 19 June 2019
- King Departs on Singapore Visit, Roya News, 19 June 2019
- Jordanian King Abdullah II in Singapore for His Third State Visit, World Times News, 19 June 2019
- 18 June 2019
- From Debate to Dialogue: Two Religions, One Friendship and a Common Interfaith Cause, TODAY, 18 June 2019
- Amb Ong Keng Yong on the Importance of Interfaith Harmony and Dialogue (19:01 to 25:53), Singapore Tonight (CNA), 18 June 2019
- Amb Mohammad Alami Musa on the Ground-up Efforts by Muslims to Strengthen Interreligious Understanding (7:40 to 10:20), Berita (Suria), 18 June 2019
- 13 June 2019
- Minister Grace Fu on the Reason Singapore is Hosting the ICCS (23:00 to 35:00), Hello Singapore (Channel 8), 13 June 2019
Speeches and News Releases
- Closing Remarks by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, at ICCS, 21 June 2019
- Keynote Speech by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at ICCS, 20 June 2019
- Opening Remarks by Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman of RSIS, at ICCS, 20 June 2019
- Opening Address by President Halimah Yacob at ICCS, 19 June 2019
- News Release on Global Leaders in Interfaith Harmony and Social Cohesion Gather in Singapore for International Conference on Cohesive Societies
- News Release on International Conference on Cohesive Societies Announces Line-up of Speakers
- News Release on Singapore Hosting the International Conference on Cohesive Societies
- Speakers’ Biographies
Publications/Op-Eds
- After the ICCS – Building Social Cohesion: Committing to a Participatory Approach, RSIS Commentary, 24 July 2019
- Let’s Talk Openly about Religion – Yours and Mine, The Straits Times, 7 July 2019
- Forging Community Ties, One Friendly Gesture At a Time, The Straits Times, 30 June 2019
- International Conference on Cohesive Societies – Appreciating Diversity: What Has The ICCS Achieved?, RSIS Commentary, 28 June 2019
- The Challenge is How We Make the Most of Diversity, The Straits Times, 27 June 2019
- International Conference on Cohesive Societies – Tolerance and its Enemies: Three Observations, RSIS Commentary, 27 June 2019
- The International Conference on Cohesive Societies – How to Build Cohesive Societies, RSIS Commentary, 25 June 2019
- What’s Needed to Harness the Strengths of Social Diversity, The Straits Times, 20 June 2019
- Forging Cohesive Societies – Living With Religious Diversity, RSIS Commentary, 14 June 2019
- This Hari Raya Puasa and Dragon Boat Festival, Open Homes to Friends of Other Religions and Cultures, Channel NewsAsia, 5 June 2019
- Terror Attacks and the Confusing Role of Religion, The Straits Times, 23 May 2019
- Forging Cohesive Societies – Harmonious Co-Existence: What Can Governments Do?, RSIS Commentary, 17 May 2019
- Singapore is Ready to Facilitate Universal Dialogue to Promote Religious Harmony, Berita Harian, 13 May 2019
- Sri Lankan Attacks and Inter-Communal Relations, RSIS Commentary, 13 May 2019
- Interreligious Dialogue in a World of Conflict and Violence: A Critical Exploration of Confucianism, Interreligious Relations, 1 May 2019
- Forging Cohesive Societies – Singapore’s Multiracialism: A Matter of Identity, RSIS Commentary, 24 April 2019
- Islam and Secularism in Singapore: Between Embracement and Belief, Interreligious Relations, 1 April 2019
- Living in a Religiously Plural Society: A Muslim Perspective on Being Inclusive Today, Interreligious Relations, 1 March 2019
- Interreligious Marriage: Perspectives from the Singaporean Context in Relation to Interreligious Dialogue, Interreligious Relations, 1 February 2019
- Plural Traditions in Plural Societies: Inclusivity in Inter-Religious Dialogue, RSIS Commentary, 2 January 2019