COMMON SPACE

The creation of common spaces is very important in ensuring racial harmony in Singapore,
as it brings the different racial groups together in sustained social interaction that will
encourage mutual understanding and bonding across racial boundaries and help in the
creation of a common identity. (Point)
For example, daily interaction that takes place among students during lessons and school
activities provides an opportunity for friendships and social bonds to be cultivated and
strengthened. (example 1)
The more students communicate with members from other racial groups, the less the
chance of misunderstandings and tensions breaking out amongst different racial groups,
thus facilitating the growth of racial harmony. (analysis)
Moreover, this inter-racial interaction is reinforced when the children go home to housing
estates that have a good mix of different races. The ethnic integration policy introduced in
public housing in 1989 ensures that there is an even distribution of different races in all
housing estates. (example 2)
Sustained social interaction in schools and in residential area thus creates an environment
that is conducive for inter-racial understanding and communication, as students and
neighbours come together to celebrate festivals that are hold special significance to their
racial groups, and this not only fosters tolerance and promotes greater understanding of
anothers culture, but more importantly, aids in the creation of a common Singaporean
identity. Racial harmony is thus imbued in generations after generations of children,
who learn to respect cultural differences and to include the other as being an integral part of
Singapores multi-racial society. (analysis + link)
Safeguarding minority rights
Safeguarding minority rights is also an important part of ensuring racial harmony in
Singapore, as all races are treated equally and are given an avenue to voice out their
opinions and to participate in Singapores growth as a nation. (Point)
Having minority representation in decision making at the top, through the Presidential
Council of Minority Rights and the Group Representation Constituency means that the
interests of the minority are taken into consideration, and this ensures that no racial or
religious groups is disadvantaged as a result of a law that is passed in Parliament. Through
the GRC system, the needs and concerns of the minority are also made known to the
government. (example)
Moreover, the existence of self-help groups (CDAC, SINDA, Mendaki and the Eurasian
Association) at the grass roots level not only provides moral support for less fortunate
members of their own community, but also helps them to improve their socio-economic
positions in society. (example)
As a result, the different racial groups in Singapore are treated equally, as all have a stake in
the future of Singapore, and are given opportunities to better themselves. In doing so, there
will not be any group in Singapore that feels marginalised or disaffected, and all groups will
have a vested interest in seeing that Singapore remains a racially-harmonious and
socially-stable society and continue to succeed as a nation, and will be more willing to lay
aside their parochial differences for the greater good of the nation. (analysis + link)
Building a national identity
The building of a national identity is important in ensuring racial harmony in Singapore, as it
is only through the creation of an overarching national identity that will bring together

disparate racial/religious identities, thereby creating a common platform for ensuring racial
harmony, as people see themselves as being Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or
religion. (Point)
The principle of multi-racialism, enshrined in Singapores Constitution, is a key cornerstone
in ensuring racial harmony in Singapore as every racial group is treated equally, as valued
members of the Singapore society. This principle has also encouraged the policy of
bilingualism, which was introduced in schools in 1966, whereby all students have to learn
English and their own mother tongue. The building of national identity is also played out in
the common practices/rituals that all Singaporeans carry out together, such as the singing of
the national anthem and taking of the pledge every morning in school. (examples)
These principle and policies thus help to create avenues where citizens see themselves as
being equals and part of the Singaporean community, through partaking in common
practices that inculcate national pride and loyalty, thereby binding the nation in one affective
community. The use of English as a common language aids communication amongst
members of this community, as it is a non-native and therefore neutral language for all
ethnic groups, thus showing that the state does not privilege one language over another, but
treats all racial groups equally. This prevents accusation by any one group claiming to have
been marginalised and aids in the maintenance of racial harmony, as the different groups
can use English as a common platform to express their grievances and be understood by
the other races, thus avoiding racial tensions stemming from misunderstandings. (analysis
and link)