COMMUNITY centres have been organising activities to promote
integration of expatriates into the local community (''Attend local
schools to integrate better''; last Saturday).
Those in HDB estates are ideal places to foster this
interaction. Moreover, living in such close proximity provides an
environment for this to happen naturally.
This, however, may not be the case in other segments of the
community.
Despite the wide publicity given, events organised by the
expatriates see very little participation by Singaporeans and vice
versa. Some local Indian organisations, when organising events,
have tried to attract the expatriate community, but it has proven
to be a difficult task.
We still have a long way to go in the integration process.
Unless there is a genuine and spontaneous spirit among Singaporeans
and expatriates to integrate, the communities will remain
divided.
Padmini Kesavapany (Mrs)
