OnePeople.sg

Join us for 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 on 5 October, 2.30pm! Be part of the conversation on how community, shared heritage, and inclusion can help shape a brighter future for Singapore.

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On Saturday, 7 September 2024, we were pleased to host the second pilot run of the Interreligious Open House, organised by OPSG in collaboration with Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery and Zion Bishan Bible-Presbyterian Church. It was a special moment as 52 leaders and members from both communities came together for the very first time.

Participants embarked on a rich interfaith journey, visiting each other’s place of worship, sharing stories, and exploring common values and shared experiences. The day culminated in meaningful facilitated discussions, nurturing new friendships and ideas for potential collaborations between the two faith communities.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr Sarjit Singh, OnePeople.sg Management Committee Member, for opening the conversations and Venerable Chuan Sheng and Pastor Ng Zhiwen for their thoughtful sharing. Our gratitude also goes out to Venerable You Guang and Reverend Dr Alby Yip, who graciously supported this engagement and the dedicated OPSG facilitators, Hafez Sorouri Zanjani, Shukul Raaj Kumar and Sarabjeet Singh who helped bring this exchange to life. We would also like to thank Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth for their support.

This interfaith partnership was made possible by the enthusiasm and support of everyone involved, and we look forward to many more meaningful connections in this blossoming journey.

As part of our ongoing engagement with participants and future advocates from the HarmonyWorks! Conference (HWC) 2024, 12 participants have taken the initiative to connect with like-minded youth and begin their advocacy journey on Saturday, 31 August 2024. Together with 9 other HWC Youth Mentors, they will be exploring their personal strengths and passions while brainstorming potential ideas for their advocacy initiatives.
Both participants and mentors actively engaged in activities, forming strong bonds. We extend our best wishes to them as they take first steps towards making a positive impact through their advocacy efforts.

A total of 20 members of the Harmony Circle attended and engaged in our Mediation Workshop, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY) on Saturday, 24 August 2024. Participants actively explored and understood inter-ethnic and inter-religious issues arising at the neighborhood level through case study observations, scenario roleplays, and group discussions. Harmony Circle members were able to apply the skills and knowledge that are essential and important in mitigating conflicts and tensions within their neighbourhood, as well as plan strategies for mediating such incidents.

On 24th August 2024, OnePeople.sg conducted our Explorations in Ethnicity (EiE) Facilitator Course for the youths from People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM). The youth participants engaged in open and candid discussions in a safe space, addressing sensitive issues concerning race relations. They acquired valuable skills in facilitating conversations, from ideating strategies to applying practical techniques. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the youth participants for their active involvement and enthusiasm, and to our facilitators for their dedicated guidance throughout the workshop.

On 17th and 18th August 2024, OnePeople.sg conducted the Explorations in Ethnicity (EiE) Facilitator Course with youth volunteers from OnePeople.sg Model United Nation (OPMUN). Participants gained essential knowledge on issues on race relations, applied techniques and strategies they have learnt from the workshop in facilitating conversations, as well as connected with fellow youths from diverse backgrounds.

Our passionate participants were well engaged and enthusiastic in discussions, and are prepared to conduct similar engagements in the upcoming OPMUN. We look forward to their contributions.

During Racial Harmony Month, OPSG took an active role in shaping the minds of tomorrow. We partnered with various educational institutions and hosted a series of community dialogues, bringing together students, OPSG Management Committee members, and passionate youth advocates.

In these conversations, we explored Singapore's vibrant multicultural landscape, discussed the realities of race relations, and emphasised the importance of inclusion, mutual respect, and trust in our increasingly diverse society. The exchange of personal narratives struck a chord among participants bringing forth the need to deepen intercultural understanding and stand against racism. Students also learnt about how they could make a difference through ground up interventions from experiences of young advocates.

We look forward to many more dialogues to engage young minds and build our aspirations.

In partnership with the Temasek Foundation, World Scouting convened a 5-day workshop as part of the inaugural Young Peace Builders programme, focused on promoting youth-led peace, dialogue, and harmony across Southeast Asia. This programme aims to empower thousands of change-makers and leaders to champion intercultural and interfaith dialogue and enhance social cohesion within their communities.

At the opening ceremony, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Chairman of OnePeople.sg, officiated the launch of the workshop. He engaged in a fireside chat with around 60 young Scout Leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. During the discussion, Dr. Janil Puthucheary and the participants explored how young ambassadors can foster peace and harmony in their communities. The conversation focused on promoting youth leadership, equipping young people with skills to navigate a diverse multicultural landscape, building common spaces, engaging in peaceful and respectful dialogue, and creating a sustainable youth movement for meaningful contributions.

We hope that from this fireside chat and workshop, participants leave feeling inspired and motivated to foster greater peace and harmony within their communities across Southeast Asia.

Happy 59th National Day to all!

As we celebrate this special day, let us continue to cherish the peace, harmony, and unity that define our nation. Here's to many more years of progress and togetherness!

Our HarmonyWorks! conference drew to a close today with participation from 300 diverse youths and facilitators.

Our youths had an engaging dialogue with Guest of Honour, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister, on challenges and future aspirations concerning race relations.

The presentations from our youths on topics revolving around casual racism, influence of social media, and local-migrant relations provided avenues for deeper engagement on salient ssues. It was encouraging to see our youths taking an active interest on issues they are passionate about .

We hope today's engagement has given our youths valuable takeaways and inspired them to make a difference. We hope to engage as many of them to champion conversations and lead initiatives to strengthen race relations.

We would like to thank Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong for gracing the occasion and all participants for joining the Conference.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to members of the HWC Organising Committee, facilitators, and volunteers for making this event possible. A special mention goes out to our supporters— Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY), Community Development Councils, and MiRXES.

Today we have we will be introducing another group of our facilitators Saini and Lutfi will be guiding you through the conversations for HWC 2024.

Saini started with OPSG in 2016 and has been involved in initiatives like HarmonyWorks! Conference, CultureScope, and Online Learning Journeys. His mission is to create enriching experiences that celebrate our diverse cultures and promote mutual understanding. Inspired by the younger participants who ask the tough questions, he emphasises bold yet respectful dialogue.

Ahmad started volunteering with OPSG in 2004 and have loved every moment since. From Campteen to Rafusicul and HarmonyWorks, each project has been a journey of growth and connection for him. The support from OPSG and the incredible participants keeps him coming back year after year. Seeing youths speak up and work together across diverse backgrounds is truly inspiring. He believes that stepping out of our comfort zone can lead to amazing achievements.

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For inquiries, email [email protected].

Introducing our next two facilitators, Thomas and Arshul, who will be guiding the discussions and activities at HWC 2024.

Thomas started as an EiE Facilitator in 2007 and has since led various OPSG initiatives, including HWC. With 17 years of experience, he believes racial harmony is built through generations of hard work and emphasizes the need for mutual understanding to bridge differences.

Arshul joined OPSG in 2020 and has actively volunteered since then. He was Secretary-General of OPMUN in 2022 and has facilitated events like HWC and the Exploration in Ethnicity (EiE) Basic course. Volunteering has opened his eyes to new perspectives and the importance of creating safe spaces for honest discussions about race and religion. He encourages youths to take small steps toward fostering harmony and inspiring others.

Stay connected with us: .sg and .sg_hwc.official.

For inquiries, email [email protected].

Let’s get to know our next two facilitators, Syahirah and Leonard, who will be guiding the discussions and activities at HWC 2024.

Syahirah joined OPSG last year and facilitated HWC 2023. She values active listening and creating a safe space for dialogue. Her experience highlighted the importance of diversity and respecting different perspectives. Syahirah urges youths to step out of their comfort zones and embrace growth opportunities.

Leonard joined OPSG in 2021, leading as the HWC lead facilitator in 2022 and serving on the main organising committee in 2023. His journey with OPSG has been insightful, filled with rich conversations and connections. Leonard believes harmony is not a given but something we must actively work towards. He encourages youths to strive for harmony, create it, and cherish the profound connections it brings.

Stay connected with us by following: .sg and .sg_hwc.official.

For any further enquiries, feel free to email us at [email protected].

Today, our facilitators came together for an enriching HarmonyWorks! Conference Facilitators Training Session, organised by our dedicated HarmonyWorks! Conference 2024 Team 😁

We hope that all of them took away something valuable after today's session and look forward to engaging participants in a robust discussion @ HWC 2024!

Stay tuned.

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For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Today, we are thrilled to introduce Alethea, Raeesah, Yan Ting, Audrey, our dedicated HWC committee members.

Alethea joined OPSG in 2023 through HWC and is now part of the publicity and communications team for HWC 2024. The event has been memorable for her, offering new perspectives on important issues in Singapore and rewarding interactions with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Raeesah began her journey with OPSG in 2023, participating in various initiatives, including HWC. The event had a profound impact on her, providing deep reflection and shifting her perspectives. The OPSG community has been a great support, boosting her confidence to try new things.

Yan Ting joined OPSG in 2023 as a participant in HWC. The breakout room discussions were a highlight, allowing her to share thoughts and experiences without fear of judgment. Now part of the HWC committee, she has forged great friendships and gained unique perspectives from working with diverse groups.

Audrey, who joined OPSG in 2023 as a participant in HWC, worked with her cooperative group to propose a project on local-migrant relations, which they successfully presented at the conference. Their passion turned discussions into reality, executing their advocacy project in April 2024.

Continue to stay tuned and be inspired by stories of our advocates.

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For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Today, we’re excited to introduce Raaj, Jacey, Ramerez and Christabel, our HWC 2024 committee members.

Raaj one of our HWC committee members as well as facilitator for HWC 2024. Raaj joined OPSG in 2022, facilitating collaborations between the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) Youth Wing and OPSG to engage NUS students. He was Deputy Head Facilitator for HWC 2023 and is now a facilitator for HWC 2024. Passionate about youth perspectives on harmony, Raaj values the friendships he’s gained and encourages community engagement.

Jacey joined OPSG in 2020 with the OnePeople.sg Model United Nations (OPMUN), serving as Secretary-General and now heads the publications and communications team for HWC. She believes her experience in community work has enriched her facilitation skills and friendships. She urges youths to explore new experiences at HWC 2024.

Ramerez began with OPSG participating in OPMUN, and thereafter, HWC 2023. Inspired by this, he joined the planning committee for HWC 2024, gaining valuable insights. He looks forward to meeting all participants in the upcoming conference.

Christabel learnt that racial harmony goes beyond understanding cultures and requires immersion and open dialogue. Through the EiE Facilitator Course, she found respectful conversations can help bridge differences. She encourages youth to share their ideas and make an impact.

Stay tuned for inspiring stories from our advocates!

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For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

On Racial Harmony Day, it was insightful and meaningful to learn about important issues concerning race relations, and ways youths can advocate for the cause in a Fireside Chat with Dr Janil Puthucheary, Chairman, OnePeople.sg.

The session organised by members of the HarmonyWorks! Conference (HWC) Organising Committee, and moderated by Ms Alia Abdullah, Editor- in- Chief, Muslim.SG, was attended by more than 100 diverse youths. The chat was robust, probing issues of casual racism, intergenerational differences, in*******al marriages, workplace diversity, and youth advocacy.

We wish to thank Dr Janil Puthucheary, Chairman, OnePeople.sg, our moderator, Alia Abdullah, our committee members, participants and supporters for making this event a success!

This session has certainly prepared our youths for HWC 2024 coming soon, and we look forward to the engagement.

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For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Introducing our first topical discussion for this year’s HarmonyWorks! Conference: Casual Racism – Is it Racist?

Question: Do you think that it is acceptable to occasionally make a racist joke, particularly if it is about your own race? Where do we draw the line?

Join us at HWC 2024 to delve into compelling topics like this. Be sure to stay tuned for more of our topical posts!

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For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

On 11 July, 23 members of Harmony Circle attended an enriching Introduction to Mediation Workshop, organised by OnePeople.sg with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). Participants gained valuable insights into the mediation process and key aspects of being a mediator navigating potential neighbourhood disputes through engaging lessons and scenario roleplays. A big thank you to all Harmony Circle members for their active participation and to MCCY for their unwavering support!

We were pleased to host the first meeting between representatives from Zion Bishan Bible-Presbyterian Church and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, who will be collaborating on the upcoming edition of the Interreligious Open House, a pilot initiative by OnePeople.sg.

The representatives from both religious organisations engaged in a meaningful discussion initiating interfaith exchanges and collaboration opportunities. We look forward to an engaging and insightful session with them.

The OPSG HarmonyWorks! Conference (HWC) 2024 Planning Committee and HWC Alumni recently set off on an exciting Learning Journey at Sree Ramar Temple. The visit provided a unique blend of cultural appreciation and community bonding. We were deeply enriched by the insights into Hindu culture and practices. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Sree Ramar Temple for graciously hosting us and making the experience both enriching and memorable.

On July 2nd and 3rd, 2024, we conducted the Explorations in Ethnicity (EiE) Facilitator Course at ITE College Central (ITE CC). Youth participants from ITE CC attended the workshop, acquiring essential knowledge and skills to curate challenging conversations on race relations and promote a safe learning environment through peer interactions.

The workshop was marked by the enthusiasm and active participation of the students, contributing significantly to its success. Our facilitators played a vital role in engaging the participants, providing a safe space to tackle barriers to intercultural relations.
This course will mark our second run with ITE College Central as we continue to deepen our partnership and engage the youth in advocacy initiatives. Some participants will serve as co-facilitators during the upcoming HarmonyWorks! Conference, where we will also have a booth to showcase their youth advocacy initiatives.

We believe that the insights gained over these two days will be valuable to these youths in fostering understanding and inclusivity. We extend our gratitude to ITE CC for their warm hospitality and everyone involved for their commitment and participation.

Stay connected by following: .sg and .sg_hwc.official.

For any further enquiries, feel free to email us at [email protected].

We are pleased to introduce Sasi, Taro, Cammie, and Kaylee, who have joined the HWC Organising Committee .

This is the first time Sasi is participating in the HarmonyWorks! Conference. He feels that his keen interest in facilitating meaningful conversations as well as involvement in the committee will enable him to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about the cause.

Taro has been with OnePeople.sg since 2022, initially joining the HarmonyWorks! Conference as a co-facilitator. He is an active volunteer with OPSG, participating in various events. Recently, Taro has been involved in an exciting project aimed at connecting with migrants through cultural exchanges.

Cammie is one of our youngest committee members this year. She joined the HarmonyWorks! Conference last year and gained a deeper understanding of race relations through impactful conversations. She wishes to play it forward as a committee member.

Similarly, Kaylee participated in the HarmonyWorks! Conference last year and decided to join the committee this year with the desire to to build deeper engagement with youths.

Stay tuned and be inspired by stories of our advocates.

Register your interest in HWC 2024 now by clicking the link below ✨
Link to Form: https://bit.ly/OPSGHWC2024

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For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Today, we would like to introduce Syaza and Jisoo, our HWC committee members.

Syaza first participated in the conference last year. Her experience with HWC inspired her to embark on a meaningful initiative engaging migrant workers. Despite challenges, her team remained resilient and had great fun in executing the engagement.

Similarly, Jisoo joined HWC last year and gained a deeper understanding of racial and religious harmony from various perspectives. Motivated by this experience, she decided to join the planning committee for HWC 2024.

Continue to stay tuned and be inspired by stories of our advocates.

Register your interest in HWC 2024 now by clicking the link below ✨
Link to Form: https://bit.ly/OPSGHWC2024

Follow us on Instagram: .sg & .sg_hwc.official

For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

From June 22nd to 23rd, 2024, we successfully conducted the Explorations in Ethnicity (EiE) Facilitator Course at OnePeople.sg. This event was attended by our HarmonyWorks! Conference and OPMUN organising committee members. The workshop equips participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to conduct difficult conversations on race relations and create a safe learning environment, adopting a peer-to-peer engagement model.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the participants for their enthusiasm and active involvement. We also sincerely thank our facilitators and trainers for their dedication and engagement, which were crucial to the workshop's success.