Singapore International Foundation

SIF bridges Singaporeans and world communities for a Better World

Tze n Looking Glass performing at the launch of DiverseCity. Tze is a Singapore Internationale recipient.

Singapore, 1 December 2011… The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) believes in harnessing the power of its networks to enrich lives and effect positive change for a better world.  To this end, it has convened the first Friends of Singapore (FOS) gathering here, and launched DiverseCity, aimed at connecting global communities though the arts.

“We value the friendships fostered through SIF’s programmes and seek to deepen these relationships. Over the years, we have engaged a wide spectrum of the international community - from business professionals, to civil society leaders, artists and youth.  Because we understand each other better through our programme exchanges,   there are opportunities for partnerships to do good. Indeed, in 2011, the SIF partnered several programme alumni to bring ideas and people together to effect positive change through ventures such as starting up social enterprises and charity foundations,” says Ms Jean Tan, Executive Director of SIF.

For example, Mr Ibrahim Senen, SIF-ASEAN Fellow, together with a few alumni, rallied the Jakarta chapter of the SIF-ASEAN Fellows to launch Yayasan Indonesia Bright to support promising students from needy families in Indonesia. Another alumnus, Mr Clive Ye Xi from China, who attended SIF’s Young Social Entrepreneurs programme in 2011, is developing a programme to teach English to migrant workers in Singapore. “The SIF is proud to be a part of their remarkable journeys in our common goal to build a better world,” added Ms Tan.

SIF Connects! Singapore, taking place from 1 to 4 December 2011, brings together programme alumni from 11 countries to exchange perspectives and inspire action and collaborations across borders.  The alumni will gain insights into Singapore’s latest developments through interactions with a diverse mix of Singaporeans representing different facets of the country’s social fabric. They will also participate in a dialogue with Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) on how to harness the power of relationships to grow the FOS network in world communities and leverage partnerships to make positive contributions to a better world.

At the start of the programme, the alumni will attend the launch of the annual SI showcase titled DiverseCity: Connecting Communities through Art. Since its inception in 2000, this arts and culture grant has supported 220 Singaporean artists in the presentation of their works in 50 countries.  By supporting the global presentation of local creative works, SIF promotes mutual understanding that underpins enduring relationships, by providing a window to the Singapore way of life and culture to the world. DiverseCity will be held at the School of the Arts (SOTA) from 2 to 11 December 2011, and will be officially opened by Guest-of-Honour Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for MICA on 1 December 2011.

Ms Tan continues, “Be it the arts or events such as SIF Connects!, we hope to ignite cross-cultural conversations and collaborations by presenting tangible opportunities to develop and strengthen international friendships, with the aim of building a better world together.”

Related articles
- Read the Minister for MICA's speech here
- Read SIF Exective Director's welcome remarks here
- Download the pdf version of DiverseCity here