Sim Ann heads to China for Our Singapore Conversation dialogues

SINGAPORE: Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of Education) Sim Ann, who is a member of Our Singapore Conversation Committee, will be in China for two dialogues.

On November 22, the dialogue will be held in Shanghai at 7pm at the Singapore Consulate. On November 23, another dialogue will be held in Beijing at 7pm at the Singapore Embassy.

A series of Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) dialogues have been held as part of efforts to reach out to Singaporeans abroad.

The first of the series of overseas dialogues began in London on November 3. It saw more than 30 Singaporeans from all over United Kingdom coming together to participate in the dialogue.

Most of the participants were professionals and students based in London. Some had travelled from other parts of UK, including Manchester, Warwick, Oxford and Wales to join in the dialogue.

Many discussed the notion of the Singapore Identity and how they maintain a sense of connection and familiarity to Singapore.

They also discussed ways that they could contribute to the future of Singapore, and how they could play an active role, even from overseas.

On the topic of diversity, participants voiced their concerns about the increasingly narrow—mindedness expressed by some back home.

The second overseas dialogue was held in San Francisco on November 9.

It also saw more than 30 Singaporeans sharing their views and perspectives on their hopes and dreams for Singapore.

The dialogue was attended by participants from diverse backgrounds, including bankers, studiers, IT professionals and a retiree.

A Facebook—style "wall" was created where participants could share their reflections and to "like" one another’s comments.

The OSC media team said participants had enthusiastically shared their views on causes they were passionate about.

The participants were also keen to develop a civic society that encourages creativity and compassion for one another, and one that promotes inquisitiveness and an open—knowledge culture instead of one focussed on the paper—chase

Post—event round—up can be found on the

Singapore Conversation website

, while the photos can be found on the

OSC Facebook

.

— CNA/de