Sultan Nazrin: Education, equity and inclusion key to better future

The Star

25-06-2025

Strength in unity: Sultan Nazrin delivering the keynote address at ICCS 2025 in Singapore. — Bernama
SINGAPORE: Efforts to realise a cohesive society are entrenched in four guiding principles of rebuilding trust, prioritising equity, embracing pluralism and bold imaginations, says Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
Delivering the keynote address at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) 2025, the Perak Ruler said these principles were important in navigating unchartered challenges in the world today.
Elaborating on the guidelines, Sultan Nazrin said in rebuilding trust, there was a need to reinvest in the social contract.
'We need transparent institutions, accountable leadership and civic spaces where people feel seen and heard.
'Rebuilding trust means investing in media literacy, digital integrity and honest communication – not just control.'
On prioritising equity, Sultan Nazrin pointed out that social, economic and ecological justice must be at the heart of policy.
'We must expand our understanding of equity to include not only disparities among people, but also imbalances between people and planet. A just and resilient future means closing human gaps and healing our relationship with the planet.'
Sultan Nazrin also stressed on the importance of embracing ­pluralism, saying social cohesion did not demand uniformity but required the respectful accommodation of the world's diverse cultures, religions, identities and origins, as well as social and political perspectives.
'It is about recognising human dignity and opportunity in accepting differences, reframing migration and rejecting fear-based politics.
'Trust in our shared humanity is fundamental. Compassion and love for your neighbour is a value taught by every major religion and philosophy, as represented here in our conference.
'And in our connected world it has never been easier to see people on the other side of the world as our neighbours too.'
Sultan Nazrin also implored the audience to imagine boldly to strengthen the vision for the desired cohesion, with education as a tool.
'Resilience is about more than survival, it is about vision. Education must equip people to think critically and act ethically. Cities must be designed for inclusion. And policy must be guided by moral imagination.'
Sultan Nazrin said three complex interlocking factors fuelled uncertainty and challenged social cohesion, namely digital transformation, dynamics of human migration and uneven economic impact of globalisation.
'The very technologies that promise inclusion can entrench exclusion. Our information ecosystems have become battlegrounds.
'Algorithms have the unfortunate habit of trapping us in digital echo chambers – feeding prejudice and starving nuance. This results in fragmentation, a kind of online tribalism. Information, while accessible, is becoming decentralised.'
The ICCS this year focuses on the theme 'Cohesive Societies, Resilient Futures,' which outlines conversations on multiculturalism and foundations of harmony in diversity.