The work of the Singapore International Foundation is unique in that we are one of the few organisations that has two distinct yet complementary areas of work: the first is International Networking and the second is International Volunteerism.
Through International Networking, we reach out to the world with a warm hand of friendship. We host visitors such as dignitaries and journalists interested in Singapore and our culture, and facilitate a greater understanding of our country through dialogue and exchange programmes. Looking outward, we mount events and offer grants to projects that showcase the spirit of Singapore to the rest of the world.
While developing bonds of friendship, we also try to preserve ties of kinship for Singaporeans living away from home. We keep overseas Singaporeans abreast of developments at home and provide channels of support and contact with the greater Singapore community.
SIF's other key role is in facilitating International Volunteerism. We identify capacity-building projects outside Singapore and send volunteers to places where their skills and compassion are needed. SIF volunteers can be found in many countries bringing aid in myriad ways - from providing expertise in healthcare to organisational development, to working to empower disadvantaged persons and rehabilitate the disabled.
For its work, SIF has been presented the Excellence for Singapore Award. Our Patron is His Excellency S R Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore.
Our Approach SIF works with Singaporeans everywhere and in partnership with governments, the corporate sector, and both local and international non-governmental organisations with the aim of bringing about active community service and fostering people-to-people relations.
Aceh Reconstruction Project
Camp Singapore
Overseas Singaporeans
Partner For Good
SIF Award
Singapore Encore
Singapore Executive Expeditions
Singapore Internationale
Singapore Volunteers Overseas
Visits
Xpats Connect!
Young Business Ambassadors
Past Programmes
Since 2005, Singapore volunteers have contributed towards the reconstruction process of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, which suffered the ravages of the 2004 tsunami. These volunteers have helped to set up an emergency medical facility, provided psychological trauma care for children through play therapy, distributed mobility aids and rebuilt two kindergartens.
Camp Singapore is specially designed for children of Singaporeans who have been living overseas. Children returning for good or just home for a summer visit can attend this camp as way to familiarise themselves with life back in Singapore.
The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) Award recognises and honours the spontaneous efforts of Singaporeans at home or abroad in actively promoting and communicating Singapore's identity around the world. The Award is given out annually to an individual, and to a group or organization.
Singapore Encore highlights Singapore art and culture internationally through an evening of local music and performances in different cities worldwide. Showcases range from music and visual arts, to lifestyle design and culinary delights.
Singapore Encore has been presented in Los Angles, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo and Vienna.
The Singapore Executive Expeditions (SXX) is designed expressly to develop global competence and leadership in executives — with a difference. Executives not only learn to be world-ready and effective in diverse cultural settings, they also emerge imbued with a strong sense of global citizenship, empowered to make a difference in the world community.
Singapore Internationale is a grant scheme that aims to promote Singapore's unique ideas, achievements and culture overseas. Through Singapore Internationale, SIF hopes to showcase the Singaporean identity through local talents and ideas, in fields ranging from science and technology to design, innovation, and the Arts.
The Singapore Volunteers Overseas (SVO) Programme offers Singaporeans a unique, invaluable opportunity to use their knowledge, skills, services and resources to help developing communities build sustainable capacity and improve their overall quality of life.
One of SIF's key roles is that of facilitating greater understanding between Singapore and the rest of the world. To this end, SIF has regularly invited people of outstanding calibre to visit, and conduct dialogues with Singaporeans.
Xpats Connect! is an initiative by the Singapore International Foundation aimed at engaging Expatriates in Singapore - helping them better understand and appreciate the community in which they live, work and play.
Ever imagine yourself representing your country as a young business ambassador in a foreign country? Would you like to have a short stint working in a leading company or institution overseas with a chance to meet personnel from private and public sectors in that country?
Over the years SIF has undertaken many projects to bring Singapore in closer contact with the rest of the world and to provide a bridge for assistance in practical ways. Our programmes have ranged from humanitarian relief to creating virtual meeting places for visiting students.
One of SIF’s key functions is to promote international volunteerism. Through this, we help develop individuals and organisations into socially-responsible global citizens while contributing to the growth of overseas communities.
Our partners can choose how they want to support sustainable development projects in overseas communities – either through volunteerism, funding or both.
