Strengthen National Identity
Extract 1 states the need for Singapore to strengthen the national identity of Singaporeans amidst the influx of foreigners.
In your opinion, what can the government do to strengthen the national identity of Singaporeans? Explain your answer using two strategies.
One way to strengthen the national identity amongst Singaporeans could be to organise an exhibition area at all community centres. These exhibition areas could have interactive displays outlining the national building process that Singapore went through and detailing the hardships that our founding pioneers have put in. This information could then be in a quiz that people can participate in along with the exhibition. [Describtion and example of suggestion] This way, Singaporeans would understand the hard work of national building and further appreciate the sense of national identity forged. This reaffirms and promotes the shared values as it is being passed down through the exhibition to future generations that visit the exhibition. [Explanation]
Another way to strengthen national identity is where the Resident’s Committee could organise a flea market at the multi-purpose areas of the estates. This flea market could be organised once every month and the RCs could invite interested residents to take up booths to share and sell handicrafts, food or even game stations. There could also be mini-workshops at the booths for the senior citizens to teach traditional craftwork like basket weaving, folding of dumplings and ketupats. [Describtion and example of suggestion] By organising an event at the common spaces near the residential estates, it forges the community and kampung spirit amongst residents. This allows them to further interact share collective experiences through the event where people of the same estate would come together and bond. This forms a sense of belonging to the community and the nation and collective bonds and experiences are shared. [Explanation]