This week, I attended a conference organized by the Institute of Policy Study (IPS), LKY School of PP, and NUS, discussing various issues pertaining to Singapore's future in the next 50 years.
Entitled SG50+: What lies ahead, this conference aims to predict/forecast problems Singapore might face in all areas. This includes international relations, talent management, governance and even climate change.
I got to know of this opportunity through an email sent by SOCSC's office. I mean like, how many of you actually read through these emails and sign up for conferences, right? I thought this was quite interesting and since it was free, might as well just try. Students were selected based on a random basis. I was pretty shocked when I received the acceptance email and went "OMG, I have never been so lucky in my life!!", but paused for a while and thought maybe I was the only one who signed up.
Prior to the conference, I was dreading because I had to take leave from my work and I considered it to be a hassle travelling all the way to Shangri-La hotel. But I really did gain very meaningful insights through the speakers and the people I have networked around my table, and I have never felt so small (in a good way though).
The invited guest-of-honour, our very own Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. And wowwww, I can tell you, I was starstruck. So when I heard that the PM insisted to speak despite feeling unwell, my inner fan girl moment came along.
He was tossed with various questions and views about Singapore's economic miracle, and yes, it is indeed presumptuous to oversimplify the remarkable growth Singapore has enjoyed since independence. But it is definitely essential, in PM's words, "to count our blessings everyday, if not at every election". This is very true, and of course it drew laughter and applause among the audience. Fangirl moment no. 2 struck again. (How does he manage to deliver such humour even when feeling unwell??)
Besides hearing PM speak, I was fed with many intellectual debates by notable speakers, including our very own DPM and ESM, several ambassadors from MFA, foreign speakers, and even the ex-PM of UK, Sir John Major. Honestly, I felt so out of place there because I have very minimal knowledge about the history of politics and the role of all these big shots seating amidst us. I found that I was ignorant of the many different affairs that are happening around the world that can make or break Singapore even as a liveable place. I'm not just talking about the correlation of international relations and its economy; I am putting a statement forward by saying these relations are so important that they CAN, and will affect Singapore's existence.
I truly had a rewarding experience at the conference, especially this is my first. The letdown is the lack of discussion about internal affairs. Yes, foreign policy and management is very important especially in this day and age (South China Sea, USA-China, ISIS, Greece) but I expected a little more discussion about social management and community building. I was hoping for someone to speak about foreign talent, social tension, poverty, aging population; more micro issues. Now I can truly see the sociologist in my blood.
Anyway, I think the whole conference was worth my time and effort and I would definitely want to attend more of these dialogues. Apparently and shockingly, we heard from Prof Eugene Tan (who was sitting beside us) that corporates pay $1,500 for a ticket in here. And I got it for free, sponsored by the SG50 celebrations committee (I'm not sure, don't quote me on this). Nevertheless, I'm glad to have spent my Friday at such a prestigious event, and happy to be writing on this blog again.
P.S. I will defo write crazier, less serious, and lame stuff on my next post!
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