Efforts to integrate new immigrants are a ‘critical’ complement to Singapore’s immigration policy and ‘important in strengthening our Singaporean core’, stressed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Grace Fu yesterday.

‘Many Singaporeans have shared with us their deep sense of belonging to the country and their desire to safeguard our unique society — one that has cultural diversity, yet anchored by a set of common values, norms and languages,’ said Ms Fu during the debate on the White Paper on Population.

The Government ‘agree(s) with these views’ and will continue to strengthen integration efforts by tapping on ‘natural platforms’, she said.

For instance, by studying in local schools, new citizens will form friendships with their local schoolmates, and learn about Singapore’s heritage and core values in the school curriculum.

In universities, camps are organised to promote cooperation among local and international student leaders, who can then reach out to and build similar relationships in the wider student population.

At the workplace, there will be more effort made to help locals and foreigners relate better with one another. Ms Fu listed some initiatives already in place, such as a diversity management toolkit for staff to better understand different working styles in the office.

More creative platforms could also be used, she said, citing a theatre performance titled Encounters on a Crowded Island which featured a dialogue between Singaporeans and new citizens on their experiences and feelings on immigration and integration here. Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing is expected to elaborate on this issue and share more on integration efforts later this week. Tan Weizhen