Jean Tan
Executive Director
Singapore International Foundation
he past year has brought great upheaval to the lives of people – economically, socially, physically and psychologically. We have adapted to a New Normal, with face-toface meetings giving way to digital interactions. What has remained unchanged is the strength of the human spirit and its proclivity for innovation.
Globally, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies have worked around the clock on the production of Covid-19 vaccines. Professor Leo Yee Sin, the director of Singapore’s National Centre for Infectious Diseases, tells us how international collaborations are enabling their production in record time. She also highlights the development of the facility in response to lessons learnt from the SARS outbreak nearly two decades ago, and its timely opening just before the pandemic. Likewise, local biotech researchers and entrepreneurs have dedicated themselves to producing effective testing kits and medical devices.
Amid a global lockdown, public-spirited individuals have stepped up – like Briton Anthony Houlahan, a senior tech executive who moonlighted as a food delivery rider to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Foundation. An SIF’s Arts for Good project continues to connect people across countries and socio-economic classes through the unusual act of sewing. Ground-up initiatives, too, are sprouting up across Southeast Asia and helping those most affected by the pandemic. Find out more about their work through the lens of the SIF’s digital storytelling initiative, Our Better World.
On the economic front, social innovations are allowing businesses to thrive in the New Normal. Read about the cloud kitchen concept that is helping eateries affected by the pandemic while providing employment opportunities to vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, we continue to find strength in diversity. Our Citizen Ambassadors – Tang Swee Noi, Kannigadevi Ravindran and Dr Sirene Lim – have joined hands with friends in Malaysia, India and Indonesia to collectively raise the standards of education in these communities. The Asian Civilisations Museum showcases the historical role of Singapore as a hub of exchange for people and ideas through its exhibitions, while renowned photographer Russell Wong echoes this perspective from working with the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
We hope these stories of determination, diversity and selflessness will continue to inspire you.