STATEMENT BY MS. YVONNE LUM, DELEGATE TO THE 67TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON AGENDA ITEM 67, ELIMINATION OF RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE, THIRD COMMITTEE, ON 5 NOVEMBER 2012

Mdm Chair,

                Thank you for giving me the floor. As a multi-ethnic country, Singapore is dedicated to and shares the United Nations’ commitment to end racism and racial discrimination.

2                Singapore is home to people of different races living together in harmony and unity - regardless of race, language or religion. Our racial and cultural diversity came about from our history as a trading hub located along busy sea routes. We thrived because we were open to not only the trading of physical goods, but also to the different cultures, languages, religions and technologies of these traders. Our openness to this international trade flow, knowledge and cultures has brought us opportunities and progress. As Singapore matures as a nation, our shared values have created common social and cultural spaces that enable us to interact freely in our daily lives.

3                A better understanding of each community’s aspirations leads to tolerance and racial harmony in our society, which is a fundamental pillar of Singapore’s stability. The Singapore Government regularly takes proactive steps to promote and enhance racial harmony by emphasising tolerance, understanding and respect among the many ethnic groups in our country. This pragmatic approach helps us acknowledge and respect the differences in our multi-ethnic society and hone this quality as our strength. Maintaining racial harmony is also a political, economic and foreign policy imperative for Singapore’s continued survival and prosperity.

Mdm Chair,

4                Singapore has comprehensive policies to promote racial harmony that are aimed at creating common spaces for the different races to interact as well as appreciate and respect our common diversity. We uphold multi-racialism as a fundamental principle. In Singapore, every person is treated fairly and equally, and nobody is privileged or disadvantaged because of his or her skin colour.

5                The Singapore Constitution enshrines and guarantees key principles for racial and religious harmony. Our legislation also upholds meritocracy and equal opportunity for all. Singapore’s housing policy allows the great majority of Singaporeans from diverse ethnic backgrounds to come together and interact regularly in the community. Our Ethnic Integration Policy allows Singaporeans to live in multi-racial housing estates, forging stronger and closer bonds between the different racial groups. We also ensure that the minority communities have the space to keep their heritages alive.

6                The Singapore Government and the community also work closely together to maintain harmonious communal relations in Singapore. For example, the government supports the community’s Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles to reach out to all Singaporeans.  This strengthens understanding and a shared sense of responsibility among Singaporeans of all races and religions. Singapore has also introduced initiatives such as the Community Engagement Programme and OnePeople.sg, which create an environment that facilitates deeper interaction and better understanding between individuals and communities, fostering a stronger sense of identity and building a more resilient social fabric. Our schools also create common spaces for all races and religions to interact. We also celebrate the annual Racial Harmony Day to reflect on and celebrate our success as a racially harmonious nation and a society built on a rich diversity of cultures and heritages.

Mdm Chair,

7                Singapore is very fortunate to enjoy peace and harmony in our multi-racial and multi-religious society. We have built a nation where people of all race and religions live in peace. The strong spirit of unity and harmony that prevails among the different races in Singapore is a precious achievement. But we did not reach this happy state of affairs by chance. Just like Rome was not built in one day, the peace that Singapore enjoys today is the result of many years of patient effort. Sustaining Singapore’s racial harmony is a continual journey that we are fully committed to. The importance of respect, tolerance and acceptance amongst our people continues to form the core belief of what we recognise and value.

8                Thank you.