The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) is a non-profit organisation that was established on 1 August 1991 to help Singapore in its globalisation efforts. As successful government diplomacy is often undergirded by strong interpersonal relations between its peoples, it was necessary to encourage positive interactions between world communities.[1]
The SIF is funded from income earned on an endowment fund of S$50 million provided by the government. At the time of its formation in 1991, the aim of the SIF was to help Singaporeans become more international in outlook while remaining Singaporean at heart.[2] The SIF encouraged Singaporeans to become active global citizens who would contribute to the international community. It also urged overseas Singaporeans to maintain links with their home. The SIF’s flagship programmes then included Singapore Volunteers Overseas (SVO), Overseas Singaporeans and Friends of Singapore.[3] In addition to these were student exchange programmes, such as Camp Singapore and the SIF-ASEAN Student Fellowship that promoted friendships and interactions among Southeast Asian students.[4]
In the decade that followed, the SIF moved away from being an organiser to becoming a facilitator.[5] Its programmes brought people together for the sharing of ideas, skills and resources to effect change in areas such as healthcare, education, the environment, arts and culture, as well as livelihood and business. In 2000, the SIF introduced the Youth Expedition Project in which thousands of young Singaporeans went on community service expeditions to China, India and other Southeast Asian countries. This project has been managed by the National Youth Council since November 2005.[6] In 2000, the SIF also launched Singapore Internationale, an arts and culture grant that supports the creative works of Singapore artists overseas.[7] In the area of business, SIF created its Young Business Ambassadors (YBA) programme in 1999, and inaugurated the Singapore-Australia YBA and the Singapore-Chinese YBA in 2000 and 2004 respectively. In the area of humanitarian aid, SIF introduced the Humanitarian Relief Programme in 2001.[8]
In October 2009, the SIF launched its new vision – “Making Friends for a Better World”. The vision emphasises building enduring relationships between Singaporeans and world communities that will in turn produce global networks to enrich lives and effect positive change.[9] The vision is anchored on the belief that bringing people of different cultures together can inspire action and enable collaborations for good. The platforms for interaction and collaboration have widened in this decade beyond organised exchange programmes to collaborative efforts in the area of social entrepreneurship, art and cultural exchange, juvenile literacy as well as community service.[10]
The SIF has worked with countless individuals, organisations and corporations from all over the world. Its programmes and activities have taken Singaporeans to more than 50 countries worldwide with the objective of building a better world for all.[11]
References
1. Singapore International Foundation. (1993). SIF: Singapore International Foundation [Brochure pocket]. Singapore: The Foundation. Call no.: RSING 337.5957 SIN; About the SIF. (2001, January 17). The Straits Times, p. 40. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Chuang, P. M. (1991, March 20). Boost for Singapore International Foundation. The Business Times, p. 2; $50m endowment fund for international foundation (1991, March 20). The Straits Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Singapore International Foundation, 1993, Programme summary.
4. Singapore International Foundation. (2014). Legacy programmes. Retrieved July 14, 2014 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/programmes_events_details-83#loaded
5. Sng, S. (2001, September 1). Building a firm foundation. The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. Singapore International Foundation. (2014). Legacy programmes. Retrieved July 14, 2014 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/programmes_events_details-83#loaded
7. Chua, G. (Ed.). (2011). DiverseCity: connecting communities through art. Singapore: Singapore International Foundation. Call no.: RSING 700.95957 DIV.
8. Singapore International Foundation. (2014). Programmes: Good business.
Retrieved July 14, 2014, from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/programme_details-31#loaded
9. Singapore International Foundation. (2009). Annual report 2008/2009 (p. 2). Singapore: The Foundation. Call no: RSING q327.17 SIFAR-[AR]; Singapore International Foundation. (2011). Inspirations for a better world: A collection of ideas and stories in celebration of the Singapore International Foundation’s 20th anniversary. Singapore: Singapore International Foundation. Call no.: RSING 361.763095957 INS.
10. SIF launches programme to promote cross-cultural learning among youths. (2010, March 2). Channel NewsAsia, Retrieved from Factiva.
11. Singapore International Foundation. (2014). Facts & figures. Retrieved July 14, 2014, from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/facts#sthash.TKGVxhSX.dpuf
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.