Remarks by Mr Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower at Racial Harmony Day Celebration
Mr Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower, Singapore Discovery Centre
Reverend Ezekiel Tan, President, Hope Initiative Alliance
Mr Nazmul Khan, Co-founder, 24asia
Mr Wayne Teo, General Manager, Singapore Discovery Centre
Distinguished guests, volunteers and partners,
Our migrant brothers and sisters,
1 Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us at the Singapore Discovery Centre today to celebrate Racial Harmony Day.
2 Racial Harmony Day, which Singapore observes on 21 July each year, is an important reminder that our peace and cohesion did not happen by chance. They were built through mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to live harmoniously in a multicultural society.
3 This spirit of harmony must include our migrant friends who travel from across the world and to live and work alongside us. They contribute to Singapore in many ways — in our workplaces, homes and communities. They also bring with them their own values, cultures, traditions and stories, which add to the vibrancy of our society. That is why it is fitting that our migrant brothers and sisters are part of our Racial Harmony Day celebrations.
4 This year’s celebration is unique and meaningful. For the first time, our migrant brothers and sisters will be hosted by our youth volunteers and guided through the Singapore Discovery Centre’s Through the Lens of Time exhibition, which traces Singapore’s history and nation-building journey. Through the youth-led tour, our migrant friends can better understand the story of the country they contribute to. In turn, the conversations allow our youth volunteers the opportunity to hear their stories and appreciate their cultures too.
5 These exchanges help to strengthen racial harmony, and I hope this would manifest in everyday life — people from different backgrounds taking time to listen, learn and share. In Singapore, our multicultural social tapestry is woven in the food we enjoy, the unique words and phrases we use, and the traditions we share with one another. We see this same spirit in the interfaith dialogue earlier today, in the traditional attire showcase, cultural booths and performances, and in the many conversations between Singaporeans and our migrant friends.
6 We also see this spirit in the personal stories being shared today. Supinah, for example, delights in sharing traditional dishes such as mendoan tempeh (soft fried tempeh) and soto sokaraja (traditional soup), from her hometown in Indonesia with her employer and friends. In turn, her employer, Ms Moh, has shared recipes for local dishes such as nasi lemak, chicken rice, and laksa. What begins as an exchange of recipes becomes something deeper — a way to understand one another’s backgrounds and experiences.
7 Our youth volunteers also help to bring these connections to life. One example is Gena, who volunteers with migrant workers under the Youth Corps Leadership Programme. Through the programme, she has come to know them – hearing their stories, aspirations and challenges. At today’s Racial Harmony Day celebration, she continues that effort — helping our migrant friends better understand Singapore’s story, while also learning from theirs.
8 To Gena and all the youth volunteers who stepped up today as guides, facilitators and ambassadors — thank you. You are not only sharing Singapore’s story with our migrant friends; you are also helping to shape the kind of society we want to continue building — one where people take time to understand those who may come from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences.
9 I would like to express my sincere thanks to our event organisers and partners, Hope Initiative Alliance and 24asia, as well as the volunteers who have made today possible. I deeply appreciate the steadfast partnership of both HIA and 24asia who have continued to contribute meaningfully to support the wellbeing of our migrant community. To our migrant brothers and sisters here today – thank you for being part of this celebration, for sharing your cultures and stories with us and for the many ways you contribute to Singapore.
10 Thank you, and please enjoy the rest of today's celebration.