New project to integrate new immigrants into the
community to be launched.
Posted: 12 January 2010 2157 hrs
SINGAPORE: A new project to integrate new immigrants into
the community will be launched in March.
Called the Singapore Citizenship Journey, it will be piloted in
three grassroots constituencies, Tanjong Pagar, Sembawang and West
Coast. About three to four hundred participants will be
involved.
New citizens will take part in the project that includes
interactive online elements, historical site visits and grassroots
sharing sessions.
The English language can be used a medium for integration and the
council is hoping to tap into the language's potential by
encouraging more immigrants to take up English courses.
A new website will be launched to help match members of the public
to courses that suit their schedule, learning needs and
budget.
These efforts are part of the National Integration Council's
efforts to create a public, private and people network to support
social integration.
11 organisations have taken up S$500,000 from the S$10 million
community integration fund to develop community projects involving
local and new Singaporeans.
The council, announced in February 2009, was formed to help new
immigrants here to integrate.
The council gathered 120 of its members to seek views on how to
create a vibrant public, private and people network to support
social integration at a closed door dialogue session this
evening.
Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Vivian
Balakrishnan who is also the Chairman of the National Integration
Council said: “After someone comes in and interacts and even after
you got the facility to communicate, there is still a need for an
emotional bond to be built. An emotional bond to be built amongst
people, amongst citizens, as well as an emotional bond between the
citizen and this place which we call Singapore.” -
CNA/vm
