Singapore Perspectives 2015 «Choices» Opening Remarks & History»

The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) will hold its annual flagship Singapore Perspectives (SP) conference on 26 January 2015. The first in a series of events by IPS to commemorate Singapore’s 50th year of independence, the theme of SP2015 is “Choices” where we consider what roots us to this nation and defines us as a people. IPS Director Janadas Devan spoke of the events leading up to Singapore’s independence on 9 August 1965 in his opening remarks at the Singapore Perspectives 2015 conference. Although the defining features of what it means to be Singaporean may be amorphous, one thing is certain: we may have become Singaporeans by accident 50 years ago, but we remain Singaporeans today by choice. In particular, we will consider the key choices we have made in three arenas — politics, economy and society — over the last 50 years. The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) © 2015

Singapore Perspectives 2015 «Choices» Panel One: Sovereignty»

The first in a series of events by IPS to commemorate Singapore’s 50th year of independence, the theme of SP2015 is “Choices” where we consider what roots us to this nation and defines us as a people. Singapore Perspective 2015 "Choices" - Panel I: Sovereignty The merger between Singapore and the Federation of Malaya in 1963 was short-lived. Singapore’s separation from the Federation in August 1965 posed daunting challenges on various fronts for the newly independent city-state. This panel will first recount the circumstances that led the founding generation to make the choices they made. The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) © 2015

Singapore Perspectives 2015 «Choices» Panel Two: Global City»

Singapore Perspective 2015 "Choices" - Panel II: Global City. Separation from Malaysia in 1965 disrupted Singapore’s original hopes for a common market with the Federation. Singapore urgently needed a strategy to make up for the loss of a vital hinterland and chose to make the global market the linchpin of her economy. This panel will consider, among other things, how the Singapore Story would have turned out if she had taken a different path of economic development. Would there have been a Singapore Story if the founding generation had chosen a path other than that of becoming a global city? The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) © 2015

Singapore Perspectives 2015 «Choices» Panel Three: Dialogue»

Singapore Perspective 2015 - Panel III: "Choices" – Dialogue. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing took questions from members of the 900-strong audience at Singapore Perspectives 2015. The dialogue lasted for close to two hours and wrapped up the day’s programme. Although the defining features of what it means to be Singaporean may be amorphous, one thing is certain: we may have become Singaporeans by accident 50 years ago, but we remain Singaporeans today by choice. The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) © 2015

Singapore Perspectives 2015 «Choices» Panel Four: Debate»

Singapore Perspective 2015 - Panel IV: "Choices" - Debate: Pragmatism The immediate concern after independence was to secure the livelihoods of all Singaporeans. To achieve this, the government embarked on a pragmatic strategy to develop Singapore into a thriving global economy. Today, Singapore has achieved a high standard of living in terms of its GDP. However, increasing economic volatility and stagnating income for significant segments of the workforce have fuelled unhappiness and frustration amongst the electorate.. The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) © 2015