For 18 years, the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) has held the mission of sharing ideas, skills and experiences to uplift lives and create greater understanding between Singaporeans and world communities. A new vision, ‘Making friends for a better world’ – announced at the SIF annual appreciation dinner on 27 October 2009 – underscores this commitment to the spirit of connectedness and doing good. (more…)
SIF News
A renewed vision of friendship
January 1, 2010
SIF News
5 Questions for James Leape
James Leape
Director General of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
A former environmental lawyer who co-authored the leading American text on environmental law, James Leape has been working in the area of conservation for at least three decades. He was in Singapore on 14 October 2009 as the 21st SIF Distinguished Visitor ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Mr Leape gave a public lecture, Good COP, Bad COP – the Compelling Case for a Good Global Climate Deal while in Singapore. Here are some of his views on climate change issues.
Why – despite the availability and affordability of renewable and efficient energy options – is widespread adoption of green energy still a challenge?
The lack of adoption of green energy is a market problem. One classic failure of the market is that it does not consider the cost or impact associated with the use of fossil fuels on the climate.
Problems include subsidies of fossil fuels or the lack of buy-back energy schemes that allow someone with solar panels to sell excess energy back to the grid, so they don’t reap the benefits. (more…)
SIF News
Three thrusts for good
Exemplifying the three thrusts of the new SIF vision are three projects, among which is the long-running Singapore Internationale grant scheme. The nine-year-old scheme has supported more than 100 Singaporeans and actively works to promote sharing of ideas among local and international artists to spur creativity and cross-cultural sharing.
To achieve the goal of working with communities for sustained development, the SIF also recently supported a mobile library in Hanoi to address the challenges of education in Vietnam. More than 36 per cent of the 86 million-strong Vietnamese population are under 15 years old, but schools, teachers, books and other educational resources are hard to come by, especially for those living in rural areas. The mobile library will bring books, computers, storytelling and games to villages in Hanoi to help improve the well-being of communities and uplift the lives of their children.
Finally, showcasing Singapore in all its colour is the newly launched Singapore Kopitiam (www.singaporekopitiam.sg), a website that explores the culture, society and people of Singapore.
SIF News
SIF Hosts Guests From Japan and Korea
October 1, 2009
Five senior Korean government officials got the chance to visit Kampong Glam and get a taste of hawker fare during their five-day visit to Singapore as part of the SIF’s Republic of Korea (ROK) Director-Generals Visit programme held from 3–7 August. On a more serious note, the delegates paid a courtesy call to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr George Yeo and visited organisations such as Yayasan Mendaki, the Housing Development Board, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Public Service Division and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. In its second year, the ROK Director-Generals Visit programme seeks to broaden perspectives and strengthen links between South Korea and Singapore. Also getting a taste of Singapore was a delegation of eight senior Japanese civil servants hosted by the SIF from 12–17 August. The delegates came from various ministries in Japan and visited Changi Naval Base, the Economic Development Board, and the education, health and transport ministries. The group also attended a Meet-the-People session hosted by Ms Denise Phua, Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Besar GRC. The Raffles Programme is in its 15th year.
SIF News
Boosting Work-place Healthcare in Riau
Malnutrition, occupational asthma, skin disease and chemical poisoning – these are some of the potential ailments frequently faced by Indonesian workers in the Riau Islands Province. Official statistics also indicate that upper respiratory tract infection is the most common complaint, affecting one in five workers.
SIF News
4 Questions for Musa Kamawi, Director of Human Resources Ministry of Finance, Afghanistan
Since 2001, the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) has been fielding Singapore volunteers to contribute to post-conflict Afghanistan. Sharing their expertise in organisational change management, administration, finance and human resource, seven Singapore professionals have directly mentored 17 Afghan Fellows in the UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) Hiroshima Fellowship for Afghanistan. In town in July and August for a series of SIF-led workshops and study visits, Afghan Fellow Mr Musa Kamawi shares his experience and highlights the current challenges his country faces.
What were some of the skills you learnt from the SIF mentors?
The SIF mentors are very professional and committed. Some of the key things I learnt was how to be a good leader, develop a team, give good feedback, resolve conflict, plan projects and be a good communicator and listener. Now, I learn more as a coach than when I was a ‘student’. As a mentor and coach, I now have more responsibility to facilitate communication, guide assignments, foster team building, provide positive feedback and act as a resource.
SIF News
Early Childhood Resource Centre Launched
A two-year project by the SIF and the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) in Myanmar to train 60 early childhood trainers has concluded in true pay-it-forward style.
SIF News
5 Questions
July 1, 2009
Mrs Chou Bun Eng (left) with the children at the Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home.
Her Excellency Mrs Chou Bun Eng, Cambodian Secretary of State at the Ministry of Interior
Mrs Chou was in Singapore from May 4–8 as an SIF Distinguished Visitor. She shares her passion to address gender and human trafficking issues in Cambodia with Singapore, as well as her experiences under the Khmer Rouge regime.
SIF News
Talking about Women
A discussion on the opportunities and challenges faced by expatriate women working here.
More than 40 expatriate women got the chance to network and share their concerns and experiences about living in Singapore at the SIF Xpats Dialogue on March 26, 2009 entitled “Opportunity and Challenges for Expatriate Women Working in Singapore”.
SIF News
Reliving Balestier
Expatriates got to learn about Balestier's rich history during an SIF-organised trail.
It may be a food haven for many, but there is more to Balestier Road than tau sar piah (bean paste pastries) and bak kut teh (pork rib soup). Seventeen expatriates from America, Britain, Germany, Malaysia and Taiwan got to learn about Balestier’s rich history during an SIF-organised trail on April 25. Auspiciously, the day coincided with the first day of the lunar month which is a day for worship.
SIF News
Bringing peace in the end
Professionals and caregivers are being trained in the end-of-life care for children.
Having to cope with terminal illness is difficult and it is more so if the one facing death is a child. To help improve the palliative care for Indonesian children, the SIF launched a new Singapore Volunteers Overseas (SVO) project in Jakarta on April 21.
