Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo
SINGAPORE – Singapore's multiculturalism must continue to be core to the country's shared values as it looks to SG100, and this is something the younger generation must inherit, strengthen and pass on, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.
This multiculturalism is a unique strength and especially crucial in an increasingly divided world, said Mr Neo as he addressed around 500 youth participants at the inaugural Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion showcase.
'Our multiracial, harmonious and cohesive society is a priceless asset that generations of Singaporeans have collectively nurtured,' he said.
'It underpins our safety and security and allows us to bring our families up in peace and pursue our dreams to go further.'
Held on the evening of July 27 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, the youth-led cultural showcase and community fair was the collective effort of over 100 young people from 10 religions and 25 community and faith-based organisations.
Mr Neo said he was heartened to see Singapore's youth step forward to lead efforts on the multiculturalism front, stressing that it was more important than ever in a fractured, increasingly divided world.
He said Singapore is not immune to vulnerabilities such as 'new driving forces that seek to pull us apart' – citing the spread of misinformation and the subsequent creation of echo chambers as an example.
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'Our youth are our future... We need to create space for them to have a voice and to have a hand in shaping our future Singapore society,' added Mr Neo, who is also Senior Minister of State for Education.
It was a sentiment shared by 18-year-old Thaddeus Tan, one of the youngsters leading Kaleidescope and who has been a grassroots member in MacPherson since the age of 13.
He said his experience on the ground gave him a different perspective on the increasingly diverse concerns among young people.
'It made me realise that young people require a national-level platform to both showcase their skills and talents, and their concerns about issues like social, racial and religious harmony that extend beyond a (one-off) Racial Harmony Day,' said Thaddeus, a student in Nanyang Junior College.
'By bringing this to a national level, we are actually telling the youth: We appreciate you and it's important that you have a seat at the table.'
Civil servant Didi Amzar, 27, one of the youth leaders in the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle and a leader of the Kaleidoscope project, said: 'There have been youth-led events in the past but definitely not something of this scale and in this format.'
Mr Didi Amzar (right) and Mr Thaddeus Tan at the inaugural Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion showcase.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
The Racial and Religious Harmony Circle currently has more than 1,700 members, including representatives from religious organisations, civic groups and grassroots organisations from across Singapore.
Mr Didi, who conceptualised and shaped the storyline for the Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion showcase, said he wanted to feature 'the real diversity of Singapore' beyond the standard Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others communities to also feature the often overlooked 'in-betweens'.
Hence, the production, a three-act performance about three young protagonists' aspirations for a harmonious society, featured actors of mixed-race heritage for a more inclusive representation of Singaporeans.
'The youth leaders have to find a solution to unite their tribes and society, and I think that's a really good reminder – that if we really want youth leaders to be the future generation leading us forward, we have to give them the chance to do so,' he said.
The Kaleidescope event also featured a fair with interactive booths, cultural demonstrations by musicians, and sharing sessions on the various religions in Singapore by partners such as the Inter-Religious Organisation; Climate Interfaith; Dialogue Centre; and Roses of Peace.
The event concluded Singapore's Racial and Religious Harmony Month celebrations. Racial Harmony Day is celebrated on July 21, with July designated as Racial and Religious Harmony Month since 2023.
In 2025 , Harmony Circle and community partners organised more than 60 activities, bringing together more than 100,000 people through sports, arts, carnivals, dialogues and tours.
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