Commentaries
The ICCS commentary series comprises articles discussing issues relevant to ICCS and published on RSIS’ website. The commentaries are written by a mix of academics, youths and community practitioners for a wide range of views and expertise.
Commentaries
Title & Author | Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|
Measuring Perceptions of Cohesion in Southeast Asia and Beyond by Paul Hedges | 16 July 2025 | The “Southeast Asian Social Cohesion Radar” presented at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies in Singapore provides a snapshot of the challenges encountered in measuring social cohesion and the policy responses needed going forward. |
All Hands on Deck Amid Storms of Conflict and Change by Warren Fernandez | 30 June 2025 | Delegates to the third International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS), organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, spent three days sharing experiences on their work to forge robust and resilient communities. In these days of conflict and change, with societies increasingly divided and polarised, it would take collaborative efforts across the public, private, and people sectors to foster cohesion, from the ground up, with everyone pitching in to play their part, they concluded. |
Empowering Local Communities for Online Fact-Checking and Moderation by Lam Teng Si | 18 June 2025 | Meta’s move from independent third-party fact-checkers to community-driven fact-checking in the United States, similar to X’s Community Notes, has ushered in a shift toward participatory moderation, and the need for new ways to navigate the digital space. Local communities in ethnic and religious spaces can collaborate with fact-checking organisations to build capacity amongst members and contribute to the fight against the dissemination of false information. |
13 June 2025 | Interfaith dialogue cultivates trust, counteracts fragmentation, and nurtures shared values in diverse societies. It extends beyond mere discussion, requiring meaningful encounters with people in our daily lives. By embracing pluralism with humility, spirituality becomes a force for justice, bridges polarisation, and builds compassionate public spaces amidst rising cynicism and disenchantment. | |
Climate Crisis, Social Cohesion, Youth: Peril and Opportunity by Arizza Ann Nocum | 13 June 2025 | Social cohesion in Southeast Asian nations is threatened by climate change and the numerous natural disasters occurring in the region. More youth-led initiatives to manage such threats are therefore important and they require timely policy support and collaborative partnerships from official agencies. |
Building Social Cohesion and Resilience: Interfaith Dialogue in a Divided Society by Matt Anderson | 29 May 2025 | There are rising social tensions and growing polarisation globally. Youth dialogue may be one way to bring communities together to promote cohesion and understanding. |
Where Next for Singapore? By Harvey Whitehouse | 8 May 2025 | Harvey Whitehouse explores Singapore’s future, emphasising the importance of social cohesion and sustainable growth in an era of global instability. He argues that rituals, education, and inclusive leadership can reinforce national identity and trust. He also argues that Singapore, at a crossroads, must focus on equitable and sustainable development to remain a global success story. |
Religious Ecology: Transforming Crises Into Opportunities for Dialogue and Cooperation by Amanda Huan and Claribel Low | 7 May 2025 | As the climate crisis intensifies, various religious environmental groups have emerged in a bid to encourage more people to become ecologically conscious. Such efforts have increasingly become interfaith in nature, providing an alternative space for those of different faiths to gather in dialogue and collaboration. These approaches can contribute to fostering more cohesive, resilient and compassionate societies. |
Is Interfaith Dialogue in Southeast Asia Losing Its Relevance? A Call for Renewal by Nazhath Faheema | 23 April 2025 | As society changes digitally, generationally, and demographically, older interreligious dialogue models struggle to be effective, and a renewal is arguably needed. |
Fostering Social Cohesion in Today’s “Privatised” Societies by Leong Chan-Hoong | 15 April 2025 | While we are familiar with the sectarian instincts that pull communities apart, a parallel primordial force is quietly changing our sense of togetherness – the tendency to retreat from socialisation and shared rituals, reinforced by digitalisation and the craving for social disconnection. |
“Diversity, Equity, Inclusion” and Social Cohesion by Paul Hedges | 9 April 2025 | Globally, there has been some opposition to DEI, including from religious groups, arguing it is divisive. However, support for DEI strengthens social cohesion, while its foundations in social justice are taught in many ways in various religions. |
Beyond Tolerance: Trust-Building for a Meaningful Social Cohesion in Singapore by Mohamed bin Ali and Shukul Raaj Kumar | 11 March 2025 | Singapore’s evolving multicultural and multireligious fabric presents opportunities and challenges for social cohesion. Recent findings from the 2024 Institute of Policy Studies Survey reveal a paradox: younger Singaporeans expect a more cohesive society yet at the same time view that discrimination is on the rise, signalling a trust deficit that should be addressed. Sustained engagement amongst the different communities is key to fostering deep connections, mutual respect, and an enduring sense of belonging. |
Broadening our Shared Spaces Through Intercultural Dialogue by Claribel Low
| 24 January 2025 | In an increasingly fragmented world, the importance of dialogue in bridging divides cannot be understated. Indeed, interfaith and inter-ethnic dialogue has been consistently touted as the primary means of promoting understanding and acceptance among different communities in Singapore. However, as our identities and affiliations extend beyond race and religion, we must consider whether our efforts at dialogue should become more inclusive and all-encompassing. Instead of speaking merely of interfaith and inter-ethnic dialogue, it is possible to complement this with an intercultural lens that would allow us to cover any potential blind spots. |
Regulating Foreign Religious Content in the Virtual Space by Amanda Huan
| 17 January 2025 | Meta’s recent decision to drop its fact-checking facility raises the question of who should regulate online content in Singapore, particularly foreign religious material. A recent survey found that most Singaporeans believe the government and religious organisations should take the lead. However, given the nature of the problem, a collaborative approach involving the different segments of society is likely to be more effective. |
ICCS 2022 Post-Conference Commentary – How Online Platforms Can Be a Boon, Not Bane, for Cohesive Societies | 9 Nov 2022 | Digital platforms are increasingly central to connecting communities in civic and social spaces. They have great potential as a force that cultivates healthy, positive, and affirming communication. Innovative multi-stakeholder cooperation is highly effective in creating and rolling out fresh digital platform features and moderation policies that may overcome misinformation and disinformation, promote digital literacy skills, and build trust via online and offline relationships. |
ICCS 2022 Post Conference Commentary – The Southeast Asian Social Cohesion Radar: Enhancing Data-Driven Research | 7 Nov 2022 | The Southeast Asian Social Cohesion Radar research study conducted by RSIS was an important milestone in building knowledge to better understand the dynamics and nature of social cohesion in the region. Future research will need to explore drivers such as economics, class, education, gender and other demographic variables to enhance data-driven research on this important subject. |
ICCS 2022 Post-Conference Commentary – “Same Same but Different”… and Better for It: A More Cohesive ASEAN Built on Youth Leadership | 3 Nov 2022 | Cohesion across ASEAN is not removed from cohesion within specific countries, and youth are key actors in developing this. Future youth leadership programmes like ICCS’ Young Leaders Programme (YLP) should continue reaching marginalised youth from conflict areas, especially those yet to understand the value of social cohesion. |
ICCS 2022 Post-Conference Commentary – Identities and Inclusiveness: Rethinking Social Cohesion | 31 Oct 2022 | Identity politics has made salient the link between identities and social cohesion. Real solutions can emerge when a multi-pronged approach is taken to provide diverse communities with equal access, due recognition, and the opportunity to participate in creating a shared vision of inclusiveness and justice. |
ICCS 2022 Post-Conference Commentary – Young Religious Leaders in Modern Asia: Beyond Secularism, Online and Offline | 25 Oct 2022 | The younger generation in Asian societies no longer simply accept that being modern and distant from religion means a better form of governance and the way forward. It is necessary to rethink the role of religion in public life and to harness technology for more conversations and experience-sharing among different communities and faiths to celebrate diversity and forge social cohesion for the common good. |
ICCS 2022 Post-Conference Commentary – Befriending the Other Through Translation in Multicultural Contexts | 13 Oct 2022 | Multicultural societies need more precise translation of complex concepts and words to facilitate deeper understanding among diverse populations and strengthen social cohesion. Words and their meanings matter, and they provide important insights to welcoming the ‘other’ into our fold. |
ICCS 2022 Post-Conference Commentary – Training Faith Leaders, Young and Old, for Cohesion | 13 Oct 2022 | Practical examples of multi-faith cooperation demonstrate how functional integration can build bridges across historical fault lines. Leaders matter, and effective programmes and training are needed for leadership in cultivating respect, trust, and a willingness to peacefully accept differences in diverse societies seeking greater social cohesion and resilience. |
Reflections on ICCS 2022 – Achieving Connectedness and Cohesion | 16 Sep 2022 | Diversity, modernity, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, have complicated social relationships across many societies globally. Mutual trust, stronger bonds, and the harnessing of technology are needed to keep diverse communities together. Strengthening social cohesion requires deliberate effort and conviction from everyone. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Inside ICCS: Building on Success from 2019 to 2022 | 5 Sep 2022 | Delegates and speakers almost universally welcomed ICCS 2019. While pulling together an international event of this scale is never easy for the organisers, there were still ways that ICCS 2022 could be improved from its predecessor. Developing the youth track, coping with Covid-19, and further thinking about technology and IT platforms have all been key issues, tying continuity with change and innovation. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – What Next for Interreligious Cooperation? New Possibilities in Strengthening Social Cohesion | 2 Sep 2022 | Religion is important in bringing societies together around shared values and in promoting cooperation and community engagement. Crises provide opportunities for faith communities to improve bonds of social cohesion and to strengthen resilience for the common good. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Space, Gender, and Social Cohesion | 31 Aug 2022 | Space can be exclusive or inclusive. It can embrace difference and alternative histories – those of subaltern groups, women, men, and minority religious groups – or it can exclude these. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Youth and Women Groups in Effective and Inclusive Dialogue on Social Cohesion | 29 Aug 2022 | Effective dialogue for social cohesion relies upon involving women and youth in meaningful ways. It is necessary for the community and civil society groups to urgently develop new strategies to widen community involvement. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – The Role of Theology among Christian Indonesians during COVID-19 Pandemic – A Perspective from Indonesia | 16 Aug 2022 | Natural disasters tend to give rise to a stronger sense of solidarity and togetherness. People would come together in the face of a real, sudden and undeserved suffering of others, partly because natural disasters do not last long. But in a pandemic, things are more uncertain over a prolonged period of time, and theology can play an imperative role in bringing people together to overcome the crisis. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Gandhi, Peace, and Cohesion | 11 Aug 2022 | In his writings, Mohandas K. Gandhi discussed the principle of Sarvodaya, in which he explained that sustained peace and cohesion can only be built by nonviolent means. Three key aspects at the foundation of Sarvodaya are: human dignity; religious freedom and interreligious harmony; and respect for dissenting opinions, dialogue, and negotiations. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – The Media: Force of Cohesion or Division | 14 Jul 2022 | Public trust in media is declining worldwide. Yet, there has never been a more critical need for trusted media amidst the proliferation of fake news and disinformation. What can be done to regain trust so that media can play its role in strengthening social cohesion instead of promoting further division? |
Towards ICCS 2022 – The Taoist Way Towards Togetherness | 6 Jul 2022 | Taoists in Singapore have adapted their practice and outreach to stay relevant to the younger population. This is also to contribute to the resilience of the multi-racial society where social harmony and cohesion are key components for the nation’s progress and success. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Bridging Troubled Waters: Forging Cohesion in Divided Societies | 22 Jun 2022 | In an era of social tension and conflict, building bridges to foster cohesion has become critical. As the classic song “Bridge Over Troubled Water” reminds us, we should not ignore the troubled waters under the bridges that we are building. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Humanity’s Dark Side: Coping With a Failing World Order | 10 Jun 2022 | Various crises have exposed fault-lines in the existing global order. It has spotlighted the existing differences in ideologies across the world. It is necessary to engage complexity and conflict differently by paying attention to what the circumstances and contexts illuminate about humanity’s dark side. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Social Cohesion: Adapting Secularism and Multiculturalism | 30 May 2022 | Secularism and multi-culturalism in modern societies are not the simple answer to mitigate the divisiveness of a plurality of beliefs and practices. Singapore’s experience shows that nuancing and contextualising secularism and multi-culturalism in a constructive way works better in achieving a cohesive society. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Buddhist Diplomacy: Potential for Regional Cohesion | 10 May 2022 | In recent years, a number of Asian countries have increasingly turned to Buddhism as a balm to relieve tense relations and foster cultural understanding. Buddhist diplomacy has the potential to encourage regional cohesion and interfaith harmony in the region. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Coexisting with Diversity and Differences | 21 Apr 2022 | Throughout history, humanity has been punctuated by conflicts based on race, religion and faith, the cause of countless wars between and within nations. It is important to understand the value of social cohesion and to cultivate it through a culture of peaceful coexistence, to avoid confrontations and maintain international peace and security. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Repairing the World: Faith Against Online Hate | 22 Mar 2022 | In a world of instant communication and social media, the ease with which hate, and bias spread compels us to rethink our approach in education and community learning. It is important for the state, educators, and religious actors to actively involve themselves in anticipating the different means in which this hatred is expressed, educating people, and developing preventive measures to protect faith communities in every country. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Online Misinformation and Cohesive Societies | 15 Feb 2022 | The Internet has enabled misinformation to spread wildly, divide people easily, and incite violence and chaos quickly. Regulatory approaches and effective actions by individuals and civil society are needed to curb misinformation and contain the harm to social cohesion. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Worldviews Education: Strengthening Social Inclusion | 29 Dec 2021 | Growing clashes within cultures, and the ongoing threat of terrorism, have drawn attention to the importance of educating youth about different worldviews – religious, spiritual and non-religious – as a strategy to prevent violent extremism and to create socially inclusive and peaceful societies. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – HADR in Multilateral Asia: Whither Faith-Based Actors? | 27 Dec 2021 | With big powers seemingly throwing off restraint and privileging power over principle against their strategic rivalries, and interactions between and among the great religions of the world deteriorating significantly, the need for multilateralism around HADR has never been greater. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Religious Communities and Climate Change: Four Ways to Coherence | 29 Nov 2021 | Recent reports show that humanity is facing an impending environmental crisis of our own making, and resources within religious communities may point to ways we can respond. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – COVID-19’s Testing of Religious Roles | 14 Oct 2021 | Societies across the world are tested by the COVID-19 pandemic in countless ways. Deep cracks in social cohesion have become visible in many countries, and many fall along religious lines. Post-COVID-19 policy needs to address robustly what inclusion means both for government policy and for each society. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Digital Destinies: Geopolitics, Division and Cohesion | 4 Oct 2021 | Thanks in part to geopolitics, the digital economy is leading towards less, not greater, integration, connectivity and connection. Defusing tensions by redesigning technology to work for cohesion will be pivotal to reversing this trend. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Inter-Religious Dialogue: Catholic Social Teachings and Cohesion | 2 Sep 2021 | The Catholic Church has been at the leading edge of interreligious dialogue since the 1960s. Combined with its focus on social teachings, it is important to reflect on what this – the largest Christian denomination – has contributed to cohesion and welfare both in Singapore and globally. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Cohesion as a Choice: Regardless of Faith and Identity | 23 Aug 2021 | Social cohesion is a work in progress. Societies can choose to achieve greater levels of social cohesion by forging greater inclusivity. Two things can break this: Exclusivist ideas and the imposition of perceived group superiority. |
Towards ICCS 2022 – Cohesive Societies, Shared Humanity: Looking Back, Moving Forward | 1 Jul 2021 | The inaugural International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) hosted by Singapore in June 2019 brought together a diversity of faiths and perspectives on religion’s role in contributing to social harmony and cohesion. With ICCS 2022 on the horizon, how can this conference maintain its relevance and strengthen trust across a very diverse global community? This essay kicks off a special series in RSIS Commentary to explore the theme. |
After the ICCS – Building Social Cohesion: Committing to a Participatory Approach | 24 July 2019 | While discussing ways to build social cohesion is important, how do we move beyond such conversations and motivate everyday individuals to take action? |
International Conference on Cohesive Societies – Appreciating Diversity: What Has The ICCS Achieved? | 28 June 2019 | 'Many Communities, One Shared Future' was the theme of the recently concluded International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS). A key takeaway is that diversity is not a hindrance to social cohesion; it is how people manage the difference. It is also important that everyone plays a part and not wait for the government or institutions to do something. |
International Conference on Cohesive Societies – Tolerance and its Enemies: Three Observations | 26 June 2019 | Why is it that it feels like we are living in an increasingly tribalist age – one where it seems different peoples, separated by colour, religious creed, or political ideology, can no longer live together harmoniously? What can be done about it and where does Singapore stand? |
The International Conference on Cohesive Societies – How to Build Cohesive Societies | 24 June 2019 | The International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) in Singapore brought together academics, thought leaders, policy makers, youth leaders, and practitioners and pointed towards ways we can build cohesive societies. |
Forging Cohesive Societies – Living With Religious Diversity | 14 June 2019 | There are growing instances of religions being exploited for political ends, resulting in conflict and violence worldwide. As a country where people of different religious beliefs share the same living space, what more can be done to encourage inter-faith dialogue in Singapore? |
Forging Cohesive Societies – Harmonious Co-Existence: What Can Governments Do? | 17 May 2019 | The past few months have witnessed more tragedy and violence as extremists continued to target places of worship around the world. Several governments have taken constructive steps to strengthen societal bonds and social cohesion. But in a world of growing diversity and tension, what more can governments do to bridge the divisions within societies? |
Sri Lankan Attacks and Inter-Communal Relations | 13 May 2019 | The recent Sri Lankan attacks risk stigmatising the Muslim community in Sri Lanka while reshaping the fragile inter-communal relations in new ways. |
Forging Cohesive Societies – Singapore’s Multiracialism: A Matter of Identity | 24 April 2019 | Singapore’s commitment to multiracialism and inter-faith harmony is not just about keeping the peace but about its identity as a nation. It has achieved much over the last 50 years but serious challenges remain. The speed in which fake news and hate speech are spread online can easily create enmity among the races and religious groups. Much depends on whether Singaporeans are merely tolerant of each other or have developed deep trust and understanding. |
Plural Traditions in Plural Societies: Inclusivity in Inter-Religious Dialogue | 2 January 2019 | In December, Singapore hosted ASEAN’s inaugural interfaith exchange programme. It was a platform for sharing best practices among the region’s neighbours, especially inter-religious dialogue. While an important tool for cultivating inter-religious harmony, there is a need to ensure that the practice of dialogue itself is inclusive. |