Breakouts

Breakout 1: Is history a compass for navigation or a barrier to a more inclusive futures?

People from diverse communities have interacted with one another since human civilisations. The long, shared history however does not always progress to having a better understanding between sectarian groups. In periods of economic uncertainties and rapid changes, some societies have fractured along racial and religious lines, while others have flourished through shared values and mutually agreed ways of life. This session discussed how nations could anchor on common national legacies for the future, and what the conditions were that enabled multicultural societies to be optimistic and cohesive.

Speakers:

• Professor Noorhaidi Hasan, Rector, Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, Yogyakarta

• Ms Lee Huay Leng, Editor-in-Chief, SPH Media Chinese Media Group

Moderator: Venerable Chuan Sheng, Vice-Rector, Buddhist College of Singapore

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Breakout 2: What conditions promote respect, togetherness and success?

How can we foster a growing sense of togetherness in an increasingly diverse and connected world? What kind of social compact is needed to bring state, institutions, and sectarian groups together? How may we build multi-ethnic cohesion and ensure every community thrive in-spite of cultural, religious, and economic differences? This session explored perspectives on creating environments that promoted inclusion, trust, and collective well-being.

Speakers:

• Monsignor Indunil Kodithuwakku, Secretary, Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican

• Professor John W. Berry, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Queen’s University

Moderator: Ms Michelle Tay, Executive Director, Singapore Kindness Movement

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Breakout 3: Stories that inspire multicultural inclusion and shared purpose

Case studies offer powerful lessons on how cohesion can be forged even if the environment is less than conducive. This session highlighted practical insights about building bridges between evolving cultures. Their stories showcased some of the best practices in multi-racial and multi-religious societies, and the innovative strategies that proved effective in uplifting and empowering vulnerable minority groups.

Speakers:

• Professor Harvey Whitehouse, Director, Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, University of Oxford

• Imam Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid, Chair of the Board of Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life and Muslim Chaplain, Harvard University

Moderator: Mohamed Irshad, Founder of Roses of Peace

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Breakout 4: Fostering a Resilient Digital Eco-System in a Multicultural Society

Rapid technological advancements have given rise to unique challenges and opportunities to strengthening our multi-ethnic and multi-religious fabric. While the advent of artificial intelligence and social media platforms have contributed to cyber harms in the form of misinformation, deep fake, and digital abuse, there is also evidence that its potential can be harnessed to grow of a stronger, more resilient society. This session brought together speakers who understood how technology could elevate social trust and expand future possibilities for all.

Speakers:

• Mr Benjamin Lee, Head of Commercial & Marketing, Beach House Labs

• Mr Andri Kusumo, APAC Engagement Lead, Trust and Safety Global Engagements, Google

Moderator: Mr Benjamin Ang, Senior Fellow and Head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

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Breakout 5: Revamping cultural and social institutions to engage new cultural identities

As globalisation and digital connectivity redefine our way of life, new cultural clusters are emerging, and their distinct identities have challenged the dynamics between communities, heritage maintenance, and our sense of belonging to the broader society and country. The speakers examined what the new affiliations were, the implications for plural societies, and how to engage the new groups and navigate cultural sensitivities.

Speakers:

• Dr Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong, Senior Lecturer, University of Canberra

• Professor Farish Noor, Professor, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia

Moderator: Dr Leong Chan-Hoong, Senior Fellow and Head of Social Cohesion Research Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

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Breakout 6: Fighting extremism and polarisation together as one people

Extremism and polarisation pose significant threats to social cohesion, eroding trust and dividing communities. This session explored what the underlying drivers of these primordial instincts were, and as a society, what collective strategies could be embraced to mitigate these forces.

Speakers:

• Professor Mike Hardy, Professor of Intercultural Relations, Coventry University

• Rabbi Silvina Chemen, Vice-Rector, Abarbanel University Institute

Moderator: Professor Paul Hedges, Professor of Interreligious Studies, Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

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Breakout 7: Expanding our common space through everyday multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is not just about having different communities coexist together. It is also about appreciating and embracing the ambivalence of diversity, identifying what are the shared rituals, and agreeing on what should be the way of life for all. This session explored how mutual understanding and respect could be fostered in our mundane routines, and how harmony could be forged with simple gestures and day-to-day activities.

Speakers:

• Professor Katy Bennett, Professor of Human Geography, University of Leicester

• Professor Susanne Wessendorf, Professor of Social Anthropology, Institute for Peace and Security, Coventry University

Moderator: Dr Selvaraj Velayutham, Associate Professor of Sociology, School of Communication, Society and Culture, Macquarie University

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Breakout 8: Rebuilding trust and cohesion after social tragedies

Natural and man-made disasters have a long and deep impact on the psychological and communal fabric of a society. This challenge is more acute in a diverse society where the quality of multicultural contact and trust form the bedrock of stability. As such, post-crises management and the successful rebuilding of societies are vital to uplift and maintain cohesive and resilient societies in the face of devastations. This session examined the multifaceted approach to rebuilding trust after crisis recovery.

Speakers:

• Mr Rakesh Naidoo MNZM, Manager, National Ethnic Partnerships, New Zealand Police

• Datu Mussolini Lidasan, Director, Al Qalam Institute, Ateneo de Davao University

Moderator: Dr Alistair Cook, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

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