Singapore International Foundation

Singapore President is SIF's new patron

Singapore, 21 November 2011 - His Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, President of the Republic of Singapore, is the new Patron of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF). He succeeds former President S R Nathan, who has been a steadfast supporter of the foundation for the past 11 years (January 2001 to August 2011).

"The SIF has had a strong track record in working with developing communities to improve lives through its Singapore volunteers. More recently, it has expanded its focus to growing networks and empowering Singaporeans and Friends of Singapore to do good together. As the SIF's Patron, it is my hope to encourage more Singaporeans to become responsible global citizens," said President Tony Tan.

President Tan's patronage signifies the importance placed on the SIF’s work in building a better world through shared ideas, skills and experiences, so as to uplift lives and create greater understanding between Singaporeans and world communities. In the past two decades, more than 2,000 volunteers have worked on sustainable projects facilitated by the foundation in over 17 countries. This year, the SIF inked memorandums of understanding with Ashoka, the British Council and Population and Development International to promote social entrepreneurship, for arts and culture collaborations, as well as specialist volunteer training.

"We are honoured by President Tan’s patronage of the SIF and look forward to his support and guidance in fulfilling the foundation's mission to enrich lives and effect positive change through our network of Singaporeans and Friends of Singapore," said Ms Jean Tan, Executive Director of the SIF.

The SIF also paid tribute to former President S R Nathan who was the foundation's patron since 2001 and has been a champion of the international volunteerism work that the SIF conducts in the region.