Bandung (ANTARA News) - A woman`s non-governmental organization, Institut Perempuan, on Monday protested the launching of a "Polygamy Club" at a hotel here on Saturday evening.
"We reject the polygamy club that was launched over the weekend because it has hurt the feelings of women and is a form of violence against women," Elin Rozana, direcor of Institut Perempuan, said here Monday.
She said as an NGO advocating women`s rights, Institut Perempuan saw the formation of the polygamy club in Indonesia as a violation of the international convention on the elimination of all forms of violence against women which was also signed by the Indonesian government.
"The formation of this club is clearly a violation of the convention against all forms of violence against women co-signed by the Indonesian government. One of the forms of violence mentioned in the convention is polygamy," Rozana said.
Another reason Institut Perempuan disapproved of the polygamy club was the many complaints it had received so far about the harmful consequences of polygamy such as the psychological pressures, physical abuse, and abandonment experienced by wives and children.
Asked whether the polygamy club should be dissolved, Rozana said Institut Perempuan had no power to dismantle another roganization.
The Polygamy Club was launched at the Grand Aquila Hotel here on Saturday night at the initiative of Chodijah binti Am, chairwoman of the Malaysia-based Global Ikhwan. The gathering was attended by about 150 people who came from a number of other regions such as Papua, Jakarta , Tasikmalaya, Garut.
In her explanations about the virtues of polygamy, Chodijah said polygamy was "the best way to win God`s love," and the club in Malaysia now had 300 consisting of people from Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, Thailand and other countries.
She said she was planning to set up more club branches in Indonesia, apart from the one in Bandung.(*)
Showing posts with label NGOs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NGOs. Show all posts
Women in politics should address gender issues: NGO
Women in politics should address gender issues: NGO
Low female literacy rate, gender gap, low life expectancy and a range of other women-centric issues which are facing India can only be addressed if more women enter politics, said an NGO here Monday.
Working thus towards the agenda of encouraging more women from the grassroots level to enter the political domain, the Centre for Social Research (CSR), an NGO, organised a workshop for aspiring women politicians in the capital.
Ranjana Kumari, chairperson of the NGO, said: "Major discrepancies in the sex ratio, literacy rate and life expectancy rate of women can only be addressed when there are more women in decision making bodies".
"This workshop that we organised, therefore, brought together 60 aspiring women politicians, to know more about the Indian Constitution, political set up, governance, gender issues, women in politics and the issue of 33 percent reservation for women in parliament," she added.
The workshop was a part of the CSR's United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) project which aims at addressing the gender gap as well as the challenges faced by women in Indian politics.
"Under this project, the CSR is training nearly 1,000 women leaders to contest in state and national elections. At the end of the project, political parties will be made aware about this pool of trained women," Kumari said.
"Key political parties shall be encouraged to ensure voluntary quotas within parties to ensure gender balance. They will also be sensitized and lobbied with to ensure a smooth passage of the Women's Reservation Bill," she added.
Among the women who had been trained in the CSR project was Maya, a village leader from Uttar Pradesh.
Thirty-five years of age, Maya had studied till class seven in her village in Uttar Pradesh before she was married off at a tender age of 12.
"Life was not easy for me. Even after becoming the panchayat leader, I had to face a lot of challenges. This training programme however made me aware of my rights and gave me the confidence to implement my duties," she said.(IANS)
Low female literacy rate, gender gap, low life expectancy and a range of other women-centric issues which are facing India can only be addressed if more women enter politics, said an NGO here Monday.
Working thus towards the agenda of encouraging more women from the grassroots level to enter the political domain, the Centre for Social Research (CSR), an NGO, organised a workshop for aspiring women politicians in the capital.
Ranjana Kumari, chairperson of the NGO, said: "Major discrepancies in the sex ratio, literacy rate and life expectancy rate of women can only be addressed when there are more women in decision making bodies".
"This workshop that we organised, therefore, brought together 60 aspiring women politicians, to know more about the Indian Constitution, political set up, governance, gender issues, women in politics and the issue of 33 percent reservation for women in parliament," she added.
The workshop was a part of the CSR's United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) project which aims at addressing the gender gap as well as the challenges faced by women in Indian politics.
"Under this project, the CSR is training nearly 1,000 women leaders to contest in state and national elections. At the end of the project, political parties will be made aware about this pool of trained women," Kumari said.
"Key political parties shall be encouraged to ensure voluntary quotas within parties to ensure gender balance. They will also be sensitized and lobbied with to ensure a smooth passage of the Women's Reservation Bill," she added.
Among the women who had been trained in the CSR project was Maya, a village leader from Uttar Pradesh.
Thirty-five years of age, Maya had studied till class seven in her village in Uttar Pradesh before she was married off at a tender age of 12.
"Life was not easy for me. Even after becoming the panchayat leader, I had to face a lot of challenges. This training programme however made me aware of my rights and gave me the confidence to implement my duties," she said.(IANS)
SINGAPORE NGO'S JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
“DAY OFF” encourages employers to give domestic workers one regular day off
Singapore, 29th April 2008 - Prominent Non Governmental Organisations; UNIFEM
Singapore, HOME and TWC2, are this May joining forces to call on all employers in
Singapore to give their foreign domestic workers a regular rest day off.
The new campaign, entitled Day Off, will commence on Labour Day, 1st May with the
unveiling of a new website www.dayoff.sg. The site includes information about how
to improve the working relationships between employers and domestic workers and
a register of supporters for the campaign. The campaign is planned to run through
to December 2008.
Approximately 170,000 migrant women are currently employed in Singapore as
domestic workers and 1 in 6 Singapore families currently hire one. Day Off aims to
educate Singaporean employers on the importance of a rest day for these women
and offers advice and practical suggestions on how employers they can make
personal adjustments to make this happen and answers some of the questions or
concerns they may have about doing so.
The campaign will be a multi-pronged public education campaign including activities
such as talks and partnerships with educational institutions, community groups,
public and private organisations.
Part of a larger body of work designed to improve the conditions many domestic
workers live and work under in Singapore, 'Day Off' seeks to remedy the current
condition whereby only 50% of domestic workers are thought to be receiving a
regular day off1.
A day off is critical in creating and maintaining a positive working relationship
between employer and employee. It can improve morale and productivity and most
importantly empower the domestic worker as an individual. And with so much focus
on the importance of a work life balance for all kinds of workers - the campaign is
really only asking people to treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves.
Globally, one of UNIFEM's key mandates is to empower women migrant workers, with
a specific focus on domestic workers - the bulk of whom are female.
Since 2003, UNIFEM has instituted programs to support domestic worker rights in
other destination countries like Jordan and Hong Kong as well as source countries
like Nepal, Sri Lanka and The Philippines. The Day Off Campaign in Singapore is a
contribution to this global effort to improve the status and well-being of women
migrant workers.
Speaking of the Day Off campaign, President of UNIFEM Singapore, Saleemah Ismail
said “Foreign domestic workers are productive individuals who make an extremely
valuable contribution to Singaporean society. They take care of our homes and our
children. And like any other person, they deserve a day off. And because time off is
important for anyone's personal development, education, leisure and relaxation as
well as for physical, mental and spiritual health this can only result in a win-win
situation."
She continues "We hear regularly that some employers may have concerns over what
the consequences of giving a day off may be, so through this campaign we hope to
allay these fears and burst the bubbles of myths. Then in time perhaps the campaign
will encourage employers to give their domestic worker a day off a week, the same
benefit that they enjoy at their workplace.”
TWC2 (Transient Workers Count Too) is a Singaporean society concerned with the
well being of migrant workers. It promotes its aims through advocacy, research and
direct services (mainly its helpline).
John Gee, President of TWC2, explains the necessity for the campaign: “TWC2 has
been advocating for a day off since 2003. In 2006, a Standard Employment Contract
was introduced that included provisions for a day off. Many people feel that with the
Standard Contract, domestic workers now have guaranteed days off. However, the
contract has crucial loopholes that negate this. More than a year after the contract
has been introduced, we can say with certainty that the issue still remains
unresolved.”
Since its set up in 2004, HOME has assisted many domestic workers with advocacy,
support, and shelter services. They are very familiar with all the abuses and
challenges that domestic workers face, and can attest that the situation is complex.
HOME firmly believes that giving domestic workers regular time off is a decent work
condition.
Jolovan Wham, Executive Director of HOME said 'Our support is grounded in the fact
that in many of the cases that we handle, the domestic worker finds it difficult to
seek help and support for her problems because she does not have a day off. Hence
she runs away and for some, suicide becomes a tragic option”
He continues “Domestic workers often tell us that having a day off is one of the most
important aspects of their job, as they need this time to relax and socialise with
friends. Having seen so many domestic workers that have been affected by stress
and overwork, we honestly feel that giving a regular day off is quite simply a decent
work condition.”
“DAY OFF” encourages employers to give domestic workers one regular day off
Singapore, 29th April 2008 - Prominent Non Governmental Organisations; UNIFEM
Singapore, HOME and TWC2, are this May joining forces to call on all employers in
Singapore to give their foreign domestic workers a regular rest day off.
The new campaign, entitled Day Off, will commence on Labour Day, 1st May with the
unveiling of a new website www.dayoff.sg. The site includes information about how
to improve the working relationships between employers and domestic workers and
a register of supporters for the campaign. The campaign is planned to run through
to December 2008.
Approximately 170,000 migrant women are currently employed in Singapore as
domestic workers and 1 in 6 Singapore families currently hire one. Day Off aims to
educate Singaporean employers on the importance of a rest day for these women
and offers advice and practical suggestions on how employers they can make
personal adjustments to make this happen and answers some of the questions or
concerns they may have about doing so.
The campaign will be a multi-pronged public education campaign including activities
such as talks and partnerships with educational institutions, community groups,
public and private organisations.
Part of a larger body of work designed to improve the conditions many domestic
workers live and work under in Singapore, 'Day Off' seeks to remedy the current
condition whereby only 50% of domestic workers are thought to be receiving a
regular day off1.
A day off is critical in creating and maintaining a positive working relationship
between employer and employee. It can improve morale and productivity and most
importantly empower the domestic worker as an individual. And with so much focus
on the importance of a work life balance for all kinds of workers - the campaign is
really only asking people to treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves.
Globally, one of UNIFEM's key mandates is to empower women migrant workers, with
a specific focus on domestic workers - the bulk of whom are female.
Since 2003, UNIFEM has instituted programs to support domestic worker rights in
other destination countries like Jordan and Hong Kong as well as source countries
like Nepal, Sri Lanka and The Philippines. The Day Off Campaign in Singapore is a
contribution to this global effort to improve the status and well-being of women
migrant workers.
Speaking of the Day Off campaign, President of UNIFEM Singapore, Saleemah Ismail
said “Foreign domestic workers are productive individuals who make an extremely
valuable contribution to Singaporean society. They take care of our homes and our
children. And like any other person, they deserve a day off. And because time off is
important for anyone's personal development, education, leisure and relaxation as
well as for physical, mental and spiritual health this can only result in a win-win
situation."
She continues "We hear regularly that some employers may have concerns over what
the consequences of giving a day off may be, so through this campaign we hope to
allay these fears and burst the bubbles of myths. Then in time perhaps the campaign
will encourage employers to give their domestic worker a day off a week, the same
benefit that they enjoy at their workplace.”
TWC2 (Transient Workers Count Too) is a Singaporean society concerned with the
well being of migrant workers. It promotes its aims through advocacy, research and
direct services (mainly its helpline).
John Gee, President of TWC2, explains the necessity for the campaign: “TWC2 has
been advocating for a day off since 2003. In 2006, a Standard Employment Contract
was introduced that included provisions for a day off. Many people feel that with the
Standard Contract, domestic workers now have guaranteed days off. However, the
contract has crucial loopholes that negate this. More than a year after the contract
has been introduced, we can say with certainty that the issue still remains
unresolved.”
Since its set up in 2004, HOME has assisted many domestic workers with advocacy,
support, and shelter services. They are very familiar with all the abuses and
challenges that domestic workers face, and can attest that the situation is complex.
HOME firmly believes that giving domestic workers regular time off is a decent work
condition.
Jolovan Wham, Executive Director of HOME said 'Our support is grounded in the fact
that in many of the cases that we handle, the domestic worker finds it difficult to
seek help and support for her problems because she does not have a day off. Hence
she runs away and for some, suicide becomes a tragic option”
He continues “Domestic workers often tell us that having a day off is one of the most
important aspects of their job, as they need this time to relax and socialise with
friends. Having seen so many domestic workers that have been affected by stress
and overwork, we honestly feel that giving a regular day off is quite simply a decent
work condition.”
Government aiding NGOs in Environmental Conservations
Semakau CEO Run 2008
On 19 October 2008, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, flagged off the 2nd Semakau Corporate Environmental Outreach (CEO) Run at Semakau Landfill. Organised as part of the Clean & Green Singapore campaign, the event saw the participation of almost 200 corporate executives, including CEOs and company directors. The participation of artistes from event partner, MediaCorp, also added much glitter to the run.
The day’s activities included a competitive Men’s Open and Women’s Open 5 km run and a 1.5 km Leisure Run. Exhibition booths were also set up by non-government and interest groups to showcase their environmental and nature activities.
The event raised $407,000 for six Non-Governmental Organisations, namely Singapore Environmental Council, Restroom Association of Singapore, Singapore Institute of International Affairs Haze Programme, Environmental Challenge Organisation, Nature Society (Singapore) and Halogen Foundation Singapore. The fund will help them run programmes to encourage the public to take responsibility and care for the environment.
Leading The Way
The government is taking the lead in environmental sustainability by taking measures such as conducting energy audit and setting efficiency standard for the air-conditioning chiller system to reduce energy consumption as well as to increase proficiency in energy management capabilities. Other environmental sustainability measures being taken by the government include implementing waste recycling programmes, striving for standards such as the Water Efficiency Label, Eco-office Green Label and BCA’s Green Mark Certification.
On 19 October 2008, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, flagged off the 2nd Semakau Corporate Environmental Outreach (CEO) Run at Semakau Landfill. Organised as part of the Clean & Green Singapore campaign, the event saw the participation of almost 200 corporate executives, including CEOs and company directors. The participation of artistes from event partner, MediaCorp, also added much glitter to the run.
The day’s activities included a competitive Men’s Open and Women’s Open 5 km run and a 1.5 km Leisure Run. Exhibition booths were also set up by non-government and interest groups to showcase their environmental and nature activities.
The event raised $407,000 for six Non-Governmental Organisations, namely Singapore Environmental Council, Restroom Association of Singapore, Singapore Institute of International Affairs Haze Programme, Environmental Challenge Organisation, Nature Society (Singapore) and Halogen Foundation Singapore. The fund will help them run programmes to encourage the public to take responsibility and care for the environment.
Leading The Way
The government is taking the lead in environmental sustainability by taking measures such as conducting energy audit and setting efficiency standard for the air-conditioning chiller system to reduce energy consumption as well as to increase proficiency in energy management capabilities. Other environmental sustainability measures being taken by the government include implementing waste recycling programmes, striving for standards such as the Water Efficiency Label, Eco-office Green Label and BCA’s Green Mark Certification.
The Nature Society (Singapore)
By Khor, Kok Kheng written on 2009-02-05
National Library Board Singapore
Comments on article: InfopediaTalk
Claiming its origins to the Singapore Natural History Society formed in 1921, the Nature Society (Singapore) is the leading non-government organisation (NGO) concerned with nature conservation in Singapore. It supported the preservation of the zoological reference collection that is now held at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, and also campaigned successfully for the preservation of many nature areas in Singapore, including Sungei Buloh, Chek Jawa and the Kranji freshwater wetlands.
History
The Nature Society (Singapore) (NSS) is the leading non-government organisation (NGO) concerned with nature conservation in Singapore. It is also one of Singapore's oldest NGOs, claiming its origins to the Singapore Natural History Society (SNHS), which was formed in 1921 by British administrators and scientists to develop 'friendly intercourse between local naturalists and the increase and diffusion of knowledge concerning natural history'. The SNHS boasted 66 members as at 1922, and produced the journal, the Singapore Naturalist, up to 1928 and then wilted.
In 1940, British colonials established the Malayan Nature Society (MNS). The society's publication was The Malayan Nature Journal. The cause of nature conservation was evident even then, with the journal's first issue being taken up with 'Natural beauty spots of Malaya, and the need for their preservation'.
In 1954, the Singapore section of the MNS took root as the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch). This arrangement weathered and survived Singapore's separation from Malaysia (in 1965), with the Singapore branch having its administration centralised at its Malaysian branch headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Clearly, Singapore naturalists maintained common cause with their Malaysian counterparts.
In 1991 however, reflecting the diverging developments of the two countries and the maturing of the Singapore nation, the Singapore branch amended its constitution and became a full-fledged independent NGO of Singapore known as the NSS. As it did so, the NSS took pains to emphasise its close affiliation with MNS- that it was represented on the central committee of the MNS (re-named the Malaysian Nature Society), and that their parting was amicable and by mutual consent. With the unrelenting pace of urbanisation and technology in Singapore, the NSS added the all-important cause of nature conservation to the original aims articulated by SNHS.
Society Journal- Nature Watch
Marking the birth of the NSS was the launch of the society's quarterly magazine, Nature Watch, with an inaugural 1993 (October-December) issue. The issue's lead feature was on the Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, appropriately so as the NSS had been instrumental in persuading the Singapore government to preserve and establish this internationally significant haven for migratory birds.
The aim of the journal was to 'provide a voice for its members and other private groups and government agencies that wish to address nature conservation matters'. This underlines the policy of NSS to engage in 'productive alliances' with the government, business and civil society in a tripartite partnership.
Conservation Proposals
The NSS noted that since the 1950s, it had evolved from an informal group of nature lovers coming together for occasional talks and field trips into a more professional society concerned with conservation studies and environment impact assessments.
Since its proposal on the conservation of Sungei Buloh in 1988, it had by 1993 surfaced nine other conservation proposals including the widely acclaimed Master Plan for the Conservation of Nature in Singapore in 1990, followed by the environment impact assessment on the proposed golf course at Lower Peirce Reservoir in 1992.
Some of its other successful campaigns include those involving the relocation of coral reefs, the conservation of the Chek Jawa mudflats on Pulau Ubin, the Kranji marshes freshwater wetland, Singapore's accession to the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, and the preservation of the zoological reference collection that is now held at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.
Activities
The NSS claims a current membership of about 1,500, with 80% being Singaporean, and strives to maintain and expand its relevance to a Singapore society of increasing literacy, prosperity and exposure to the world.
This relevance takes the form of education and research activities in addition to active campaigning to save the increasingly vulnerable natural environment of Singapore from the pressures of urban development. The society's expansion is shown in the formation of numerous sub-groups, including those concerned with birds and bird ecology, butterflies, conservation, education, marine conservation, plants, nature rambles, and vertebrate study.
New Premises
As a measure of its success, through members' fundraising and several major donations, NSS became the proud owner of its own premises at The Sunflower building on Geylang Road in 2000, a milestone in its history and a landmark for nature conservation in Singapore.
National Library Board Singapore
Comments on article: InfopediaTalk
Claiming its origins to the Singapore Natural History Society formed in 1921, the Nature Society (Singapore) is the leading non-government organisation (NGO) concerned with nature conservation in Singapore. It supported the preservation of the zoological reference collection that is now held at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, and also campaigned successfully for the preservation of many nature areas in Singapore, including Sungei Buloh, Chek Jawa and the Kranji freshwater wetlands.
History
The Nature Society (Singapore) (NSS) is the leading non-government organisation (NGO) concerned with nature conservation in Singapore. It is also one of Singapore's oldest NGOs, claiming its origins to the Singapore Natural History Society (SNHS), which was formed in 1921 by British administrators and scientists to develop 'friendly intercourse between local naturalists and the increase and diffusion of knowledge concerning natural history'. The SNHS boasted 66 members as at 1922, and produced the journal, the Singapore Naturalist, up to 1928 and then wilted.
In 1940, British colonials established the Malayan Nature Society (MNS). The society's publication was The Malayan Nature Journal. The cause of nature conservation was evident even then, with the journal's first issue being taken up with 'Natural beauty spots of Malaya, and the need for their preservation'.
In 1954, the Singapore section of the MNS took root as the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch). This arrangement weathered and survived Singapore's separation from Malaysia (in 1965), with the Singapore branch having its administration centralised at its Malaysian branch headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Clearly, Singapore naturalists maintained common cause with their Malaysian counterparts.
In 1991 however, reflecting the diverging developments of the two countries and the maturing of the Singapore nation, the Singapore branch amended its constitution and became a full-fledged independent NGO of Singapore known as the NSS. As it did so, the NSS took pains to emphasise its close affiliation with MNS- that it was represented on the central committee of the MNS (re-named the Malaysian Nature Society), and that their parting was amicable and by mutual consent. With the unrelenting pace of urbanisation and technology in Singapore, the NSS added the all-important cause of nature conservation to the original aims articulated by SNHS.
Society Journal- Nature Watch
Marking the birth of the NSS was the launch of the society's quarterly magazine, Nature Watch, with an inaugural 1993 (October-December) issue. The issue's lead feature was on the Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, appropriately so as the NSS had been instrumental in persuading the Singapore government to preserve and establish this internationally significant haven for migratory birds.
The aim of the journal was to 'provide a voice for its members and other private groups and government agencies that wish to address nature conservation matters'. This underlines the policy of NSS to engage in 'productive alliances' with the government, business and civil society in a tripartite partnership.
Conservation Proposals
The NSS noted that since the 1950s, it had evolved from an informal group of nature lovers coming together for occasional talks and field trips into a more professional society concerned with conservation studies and environment impact assessments.
Since its proposal on the conservation of Sungei Buloh in 1988, it had by 1993 surfaced nine other conservation proposals including the widely acclaimed Master Plan for the Conservation of Nature in Singapore in 1990, followed by the environment impact assessment on the proposed golf course at Lower Peirce Reservoir in 1992.
Some of its other successful campaigns include those involving the relocation of coral reefs, the conservation of the Chek Jawa mudflats on Pulau Ubin, the Kranji marshes freshwater wetland, Singapore's accession to the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, and the preservation of the zoological reference collection that is now held at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.
Activities
The NSS claims a current membership of about 1,500, with 80% being Singaporean, and strives to maintain and expand its relevance to a Singapore society of increasing literacy, prosperity and exposure to the world.
This relevance takes the form of education and research activities in addition to active campaigning to save the increasingly vulnerable natural environment of Singapore from the pressures of urban development. The society's expansion is shown in the formation of numerous sub-groups, including those concerned with birds and bird ecology, butterflies, conservation, education, marine conservation, plants, nature rambles, and vertebrate study.
New Premises
As a measure of its success, through members' fundraising and several major donations, NSS became the proud owner of its own premises at The Sunflower building on Geylang Road in 2000, a milestone in its history and a landmark for nature conservation in Singapore.
Three NGOs form coalition called Solidarity for Migrant Workers
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 24 May 2009 1834 hrs
SINGAPORE : Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have said they are seeing a huge impact on foreign workers due to the economic recession.
Thus, despite more steps being taken to improve the working conditions of foreign workers, NGOs want to further strengthen activism for them.
Three NGOs - Migrant Voices, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) and Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) - have come together to form a coalition called the Solidarity for Migrant Workers, which taps on the expertise of the three foreign worker NGOs.
Up to 160 foreign workers attended the launch of the new coalition on Sunday afternoon. - CNA/ms
SINGAPORE : Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have said they are seeing a huge impact on foreign workers due to the economic recession.
Thus, despite more steps being taken to improve the working conditions of foreign workers, NGOs want to further strengthen activism for them.
Three NGOs - Migrant Voices, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) and Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) - have come together to form a coalition called the Solidarity for Migrant Workers, which taps on the expertise of the three foreign worker NGOs.
Up to 160 foreign workers attended the launch of the new coalition on Sunday afternoon. - CNA/ms
Singapore volunteers to help victims in Johor
Straits Times 24 Dec 06
TWO teams of volunteers from the Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief set out this morning for Johor to help the victims of the recent floods.
The Singapore Red Cross team went to Johor Baru with six volunteers and RM22,600 (S$9,800) worth of food and relief items, including 1,200kg of rice, 720kg of sugar, 1,500 packets of instant noodles, 1,000 cans of canned food and basic toiletries. The team will work with the Johor Baru branch of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) to offer assistance in first aid and delivery of the food items.
Mercy Relief's five-man team took with them 3,000 hygiene kits and 100 water filter systems worth $34,000. They left with a convoy from the Singapore Land Rover Owners' Club. They will support the work of Mercy Malaysia, which has set up its operation base in Muar to provide assistance to several evacuation centres in the area.
Last week's heavy rain - the worst in 100 years - has caused severe floods in many parts of southern Malaysia. The worst-hit areas in Johor include the state capital Johor Baru and the central towns of Muar and Kluang. According to MRCS, more than 80,000 people have been displaced by the rising waters.
In the Red Cross team is veteran volunteer Patrick Lim. Said the 52-year-old businessman: 'This is my first flood-relief operation, but I'm prepared for it. We are all trained first-aiders and we will work very closely with our Malaysian partner.'
The Mercy Relief team is expected to return to Singapore next Sunday, while the Red Cross team will stay in Johor Baru for about a week.
TWO teams of volunteers from the Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief set out this morning for Johor to help the victims of the recent floods.
The Singapore Red Cross team went to Johor Baru with six volunteers and RM22,600 (S$9,800) worth of food and relief items, including 1,200kg of rice, 720kg of sugar, 1,500 packets of instant noodles, 1,000 cans of canned food and basic toiletries. The team will work with the Johor Baru branch of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) to offer assistance in first aid and delivery of the food items.
Mercy Relief's five-man team took with them 3,000 hygiene kits and 100 water filter systems worth $34,000. They left with a convoy from the Singapore Land Rover Owners' Club. They will support the work of Mercy Malaysia, which has set up its operation base in Muar to provide assistance to several evacuation centres in the area.
Last week's heavy rain - the worst in 100 years - has caused severe floods in many parts of southern Malaysia. The worst-hit areas in Johor include the state capital Johor Baru and the central towns of Muar and Kluang. According to MRCS, more than 80,000 people have been displaced by the rising waters.
In the Red Cross team is veteran volunteer Patrick Lim. Said the 52-year-old businessman: 'This is my first flood-relief operation, but I'm prepared for it. We are all trained first-aiders and we will work very closely with our Malaysian partner.'
The Mercy Relief team is expected to return to Singapore next Sunday, while the Red Cross team will stay in Johor Baru for about a week.
S'pore organisations help in relief efforts
Today Online 28 Dec 06
Organisations in Singapore are doing their bit to help their neighbours in Johor who have been hit by the floods.
Yesterday, a second team from the Singapore Red Cross Society left for Kota Tinggi to help with relief efforts. The eight volunteers brought with them blankets, baby food items and diapers to distribute at various relief centres set up in Johor Bahru.
A hovercraft from Johor Bahru is also being sent to Muar to assist in the relief efforts in remote villages.
On Saturday, a first team of volunteers distributed over RM20,000 worth of relief and food items required by the Malaysian Red Cross Society, which is involved in rescue operations and the management of the relief centres.
The Eurasian Association is also helping to spearhead a donation drive, following a spontaneous response from people in the Eurasian community to personal calls for aid from across the Causeway. The EA is collecting items such as towels, blankets, old clothes and canned food.
The initiative has grown since Monday and has already secured about 1,000 blankets, but volunteers for packing and sorting are in short supply, says the group. Members of the public can help or drop off donations at the Eurasian Community House at Ceylon Road until tomorrow. The group will drive to Johor on Saturday to deliver the items to the relief centres. — Derrick A Paulo
Organisations in Singapore are doing their bit to help their neighbours in Johor who have been hit by the floods.
Yesterday, a second team from the Singapore Red Cross Society left for Kota Tinggi to help with relief efforts. The eight volunteers brought with them blankets, baby food items and diapers to distribute at various relief centres set up in Johor Bahru.
A hovercraft from Johor Bahru is also being sent to Muar to assist in the relief efforts in remote villages.
On Saturday, a first team of volunteers distributed over RM20,000 worth of relief and food items required by the Malaysian Red Cross Society, which is involved in rescue operations and the management of the relief centres.
The Eurasian Association is also helping to spearhead a donation drive, following a spontaneous response from people in the Eurasian community to personal calls for aid from across the Causeway. The EA is collecting items such as towels, blankets, old clothes and canned food.
The initiative has grown since Monday and has already secured about 1,000 blankets, but volunteers for packing and sorting are in short supply, says the group. Members of the public can help or drop off donations at the Eurasian Community House at Ceylon Road until tomorrow. The group will drive to Johor on Saturday to deliver the items to the relief centres. — Derrick A Paulo
SIF volunteers share skills on palliative care for children in Indonesia
Every child is precious, what more a child stricken with cancer or HIV. The Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF) new Singapore Volunteers Overseas (SVO) project in Jakarta will reach out to these children.
Launched on April 21, 2009, the SVO Specialist Team (Palliative Care for Children) Project will enable the transfer of skills and knowledge in paediatric palliative care to Indonesian medical professionals and caregivers.
This partnership with Yayasan Rumah Rachel (Rachel House) — the first paediatric hospice in Indonesia — will benefit children with end-stage diseases as well as their immediate family members.
According to the Indonesia Childhood Cancer Foundation, every year 650 children below 18 years old are stricken with cancer in Jakarta alone.
Through six one-week visits to Jakarta over two years, the SVO team will train 40 Indonesian professionals and caregivers in areas like the assessment, treatment and management of pain and symptoms experienced by children with life-threatening illnesses.
The SVO team is led by Dr. Cynthia Goh, the head of the Department of Palliative Medicine at the National Cancer Centre Singapore and Centre Director, Lien Centre for Palliative Care. Other team members will vary with each visit.
Of the 40 trainees, 12 form the core team who will, in turn, transfer what they learnt to other palliative caregivers in Indonesia. They are from organisations like Rachel House and Rumah Sakit Kanker Dharmais (Dharmais Cancer Hospital).
The launch ceremony was graced by the presence of Singapore’s ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Ashok Mirpuri, and the head of the Centre of Health Development Policy Analysis, Indonesia Ministry of Health, Dr. Untung Suseno Sutarjo.
Launched on April 21, 2009, the SVO Specialist Team (Palliative Care for Children) Project will enable the transfer of skills and knowledge in paediatric palliative care to Indonesian medical professionals and caregivers.
This partnership with Yayasan Rumah Rachel (Rachel House) — the first paediatric hospice in Indonesia — will benefit children with end-stage diseases as well as their immediate family members.
According to the Indonesia Childhood Cancer Foundation, every year 650 children below 18 years old are stricken with cancer in Jakarta alone.
Through six one-week visits to Jakarta over two years, the SVO team will train 40 Indonesian professionals and caregivers in areas like the assessment, treatment and management of pain and symptoms experienced by children with life-threatening illnesses.
The SVO team is led by Dr. Cynthia Goh, the head of the Department of Palliative Medicine at the National Cancer Centre Singapore and Centre Director, Lien Centre for Palliative Care. Other team members will vary with each visit.
Of the 40 trainees, 12 form the core team who will, in turn, transfer what they learnt to other palliative caregivers in Indonesia. They are from organisations like Rachel House and Rumah Sakit Kanker Dharmais (Dharmais Cancer Hospital).
The launch ceremony was graced by the presence of Singapore’s ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Ashok Mirpuri, and the head of the Centre of Health Development Policy Analysis, Indonesia Ministry of Health, Dr. Untung Suseno Sutarjo.
SIF volunteers complete emergency nursing course in Indonesia
Malang, Indonesia, 14 October 2009…Volunteers from the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) worked with nurses over two years to develop and conduct an emergency nursing training programme to benefit emergency nurses and thousands of patients in Indonesia.
The training programme will be the first ever accredited emergency nursing course offered in Indonesia and is developed as part of the SIF Singapore Volunteers Overseas (SVO) Specialist Team (Emergency Nursing Education) Project in Malang, Indonesia.
The SIF has partnered the University of Brawijaya, Health Polytechnic of Malang and Saiful Anwar General Hospital since 2007 for this training-of-trainers project.
Emergency medical treatment is much needed in Indonesia. For example, the Saiful Anwar General Hospital in Malang attends to an average of 150 to 200 emergency cases per day. Malang is located in East Java, Indonesia’s second most populous province.
A high number of these emergency cases include traffic and industrial accidents that occur along the main highway from Malang to Surabaya. As a result, head injuries, extreme fractures, abdomen and chest traumas are common. Experience with disasters such as mudflows, earthquakes and tsunamis have also placed its emergency medical staff on high alert, and nurses and doctors from Malang have often rendered humanitarian relief aid in other parts of the country.
To help meet the need for emergency medical care, SIF specialist volunteers from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) worked with SIF’s Indonesian partners over a period of more than two years to upgrade the skills, knowledge and training capabilities of 30 medical workers from the three partner institutions.
These trainees will then go on to train other emergency nurses in East Java, including 70 emergency nurses at Saiful Anwar General Hospital. The resulting skills enhancement is expected to benefit some 73,000 emergency patients that the hospital sees each year.
SIF volunteer Josephine Teo, who is Advance Practice Nurse Intern (Emergency Care) in SGH and team leader of the project, explains that many of the Indonesian trainees are nurses with years of experience. “Most of them have worked in hospitals for many years. So coming back to the classroom was something very new to them,” she says. “When we first conducted the training two years ago, we needed translators to help out. Subsequently, on each return, we would notice that everyone had made a concerted effort to learn conversational English, so that they can be more interactive in the training. Throughout the two years, their desire to improve their skills has never waned.”
A group of six Indonesian nurses also visited Singapore from March to April 2007, where they were attached to SGH and NYP to learn the more about the state of art of emergency nursing from their Singapore counterparts. The curriculum will be launched in Malang by Brawijaya University upon its accreditation by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Nursing Association of Indonesia by the end of this year.
SIF Director for International Volunteerism and Community Partnerships Aaron Ng says, “Having one of the more technologically-advanced emergency nursing facilities in South East Asia, Singapore is happy to share its experience to help launch a new certification in this discipline in Indonesia. Although our volunteers are veterans in the field, they have found the exercise most educational as they learn many things from their Indonesian counterparts. It is such mutual learning and sharing that has enriched both parties and helped build a better world of friends and of sustainable development.”
The two-year project will officially conclude in a closing ceremony in Malang today.
The training programme will be the first ever accredited emergency nursing course offered in Indonesia and is developed as part of the SIF Singapore Volunteers Overseas (SVO) Specialist Team (Emergency Nursing Education) Project in Malang, Indonesia.
The SIF has partnered the University of Brawijaya, Health Polytechnic of Malang and Saiful Anwar General Hospital since 2007 for this training-of-trainers project.
Emergency medical treatment is much needed in Indonesia. For example, the Saiful Anwar General Hospital in Malang attends to an average of 150 to 200 emergency cases per day. Malang is located in East Java, Indonesia’s second most populous province.
A high number of these emergency cases include traffic and industrial accidents that occur along the main highway from Malang to Surabaya. As a result, head injuries, extreme fractures, abdomen and chest traumas are common. Experience with disasters such as mudflows, earthquakes and tsunamis have also placed its emergency medical staff on high alert, and nurses and doctors from Malang have often rendered humanitarian relief aid in other parts of the country.
To help meet the need for emergency medical care, SIF specialist volunteers from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) worked with SIF’s Indonesian partners over a period of more than two years to upgrade the skills, knowledge and training capabilities of 30 medical workers from the three partner institutions.
These trainees will then go on to train other emergency nurses in East Java, including 70 emergency nurses at Saiful Anwar General Hospital. The resulting skills enhancement is expected to benefit some 73,000 emergency patients that the hospital sees each year.
SIF volunteer Josephine Teo, who is Advance Practice Nurse Intern (Emergency Care) in SGH and team leader of the project, explains that many of the Indonesian trainees are nurses with years of experience. “Most of them have worked in hospitals for many years. So coming back to the classroom was something very new to them,” she says. “When we first conducted the training two years ago, we needed translators to help out. Subsequently, on each return, we would notice that everyone had made a concerted effort to learn conversational English, so that they can be more interactive in the training. Throughout the two years, their desire to improve their skills has never waned.”
A group of six Indonesian nurses also visited Singapore from March to April 2007, where they were attached to SGH and NYP to learn the more about the state of art of emergency nursing from their Singapore counterparts. The curriculum will be launched in Malang by Brawijaya University upon its accreditation by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Nursing Association of Indonesia by the end of this year.
SIF Director for International Volunteerism and Community Partnerships Aaron Ng says, “Having one of the more technologically-advanced emergency nursing facilities in South East Asia, Singapore is happy to share its experience to help launch a new certification in this discipline in Indonesia. Although our volunteers are veterans in the field, they have found the exercise most educational as they learn many things from their Indonesian counterparts. It is such mutual learning and sharing that has enriched both parties and helped build a better world of friends and of sustainable development.”
The two-year project will officially conclude in a closing ceremony in Malang today.
NGOs not for economical reasons only
I refer to the article by Ms Theresa Tan entitled "Singapore drawing more non-profit groups". As a Singaporean who has volunteered and worked abroad with non-profits (NPs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), I applaud EDB’s efforts to attract more non-profit groups to Singapore, but would like to offer a few comments.
Even if they are non-profit, I would not describe or associate some of the organisations which Ms Tan features as, in EDB’s Mr Kua’s words, "civil society". Civil society is often described as a sector of citizens and for citizens. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), on the other hand, is a UN agency and has 184 member States. Further, as Ms Tan acknowledges, the Regional Disease Intervention Centre (REDIC) was set up by the Singapore and US governments. Neither is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) nor a grassroots initiative, both of which are strong features of a vibrant civil society.
Ms Tan writes that Singapore is attractive to international NPs and NGOs because of its "location, excellent infrastructure, and large number of …MNCs". I disagree. These are well-known (and publicized) hallmarks of Singapore’s fantastic economic development which draw profit-driven MNCs, not NGOs. It has been my experience that such organisations also desire an environment that encourages citizens to question the public policies of the day, and participate in shaping them.
Greenpeace members dress up as orang utans outside Unilever offices, London, to protest the destruction of the endangered species' habitat from the spread of oil palm plantations.
It is disingenuous to invite international "civil society" in a bid to make Singapore a "world-class city", but insist that the NGOs that come to Singapore are "practical". Not only does this limit the very spirit of civil society, i.e. which the London School of Economics defines as uncoerced non-government collective action around shared interests, purposes and values, but it begs the question: when is an NP "practical" and when is it being "activist"?
Suppose World Vision, a renowned faith-based organization which the author mentions, decides to act on the grievances of the disabled community in Singapore and proposes reforms that the Singapore government could introduce, would that organisation be deemed impermissible? I think such activism is noble and should certainly be welcomed. By contrast, WIPO and REDIC being in Singapore hardly impact on the average Singaporean. In fact, they do not even assist in achieving the goals that Mr. Kua has set out for NPs: i.e. lending Singapore civil society "credibility" or promoting "intangibles…that attract people" to Singapore.
Amidst EDB’s desire to give international NPs "incentives such as tax exemptions", what is the plight of local NGOs? We have a good number of NGOs in Singapore who are doing excellent work and represent what civil society can and should be. The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) was set up in 2001 by a group of Singaporeans to raise awareness of the illegal trade in wildlife here. The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) was set up in 2004 to address the plight of foreign workers and migrants living and working in Singapore. Yet, funding and support for such NGOs remains minimal. Is EDB telling Singaporeans who want to be social activists in the name of positive change that there is no room for them in a country that only woos "practical" foreign NPs?
All this troubles me. Having spent time in Asian countries where civil society tangibly promotes social change, I sometimes feel I can accomplish far more abroad than in Singapore, where my ideas as a citizen are apparently not welcome unless they are "practical". The result of such an approach is that Singapore will continue to push passionate individuals away from the country, and for that, we cannot be blamed for being quitters. Ultimately, a mature civil society is not just meant, as Ms Tan or Mr Kua suggest, "to create jobs" or attract foreigners and tourists. It is meant to inspire Singaporeans to care; to take collective responsibility for communal or global problems.
Vinita Ramani Mohan
Even if they are non-profit, I would not describe or associate some of the organisations which Ms Tan features as, in EDB’s Mr Kua’s words, "civil society". Civil society is often described as a sector of citizens and for citizens. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), on the other hand, is a UN agency and has 184 member States. Further, as Ms Tan acknowledges, the Regional Disease Intervention Centre (REDIC) was set up by the Singapore and US governments. Neither is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) nor a grassroots initiative, both of which are strong features of a vibrant civil society.
Ms Tan writes that Singapore is attractive to international NPs and NGOs because of its "location, excellent infrastructure, and large number of …MNCs". I disagree. These are well-known (and publicized) hallmarks of Singapore’s fantastic economic development which draw profit-driven MNCs, not NGOs. It has been my experience that such organisations also desire an environment that encourages citizens to question the public policies of the day, and participate in shaping them.
Greenpeace members dress up as orang utans outside Unilever offices, London, to protest the destruction of the endangered species' habitat from the spread of oil palm plantations.
It is disingenuous to invite international "civil society" in a bid to make Singapore a "world-class city", but insist that the NGOs that come to Singapore are "practical". Not only does this limit the very spirit of civil society, i.e. which the London School of Economics defines as uncoerced non-government collective action around shared interests, purposes and values, but it begs the question: when is an NP "practical" and when is it being "activist"?
Suppose World Vision, a renowned faith-based organization which the author mentions, decides to act on the grievances of the disabled community in Singapore and proposes reforms that the Singapore government could introduce, would that organisation be deemed impermissible? I think such activism is noble and should certainly be welcomed. By contrast, WIPO and REDIC being in Singapore hardly impact on the average Singaporean. In fact, they do not even assist in achieving the goals that Mr. Kua has set out for NPs: i.e. lending Singapore civil society "credibility" or promoting "intangibles…that attract people" to Singapore.
Amidst EDB’s desire to give international NPs "incentives such as tax exemptions", what is the plight of local NGOs? We have a good number of NGOs in Singapore who are doing excellent work and represent what civil society can and should be. The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) was set up in 2001 by a group of Singaporeans to raise awareness of the illegal trade in wildlife here. The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) was set up in 2004 to address the plight of foreign workers and migrants living and working in Singapore. Yet, funding and support for such NGOs remains minimal. Is EDB telling Singaporeans who want to be social activists in the name of positive change that there is no room for them in a country that only woos "practical" foreign NPs?
All this troubles me. Having spent time in Asian countries where civil society tangibly promotes social change, I sometimes feel I can accomplish far more abroad than in Singapore, where my ideas as a citizen are apparently not welcome unless they are "practical". The result of such an approach is that Singapore will continue to push passionate individuals away from the country, and for that, we cannot be blamed for being quitters. Ultimately, a mature civil society is not just meant, as Ms Tan or Mr Kua suggest, "to create jobs" or attract foreigners and tourists. It is meant to inspire Singaporeans to care; to take collective responsibility for communal or global problems.
Vinita Ramani Mohan
NGOs in India
NGOs in India are committed to social justice, sustainable development and human rights. The right to communicate freely is a basic human right and a necessity for sustainable development. Access to information is essential to informed decision-making at all levels. They are committed to the dissemination of information and promotion of sustainable development initiatives, in response to the needs of under represented and marginalized sectors of society.
For bridging the data gap and improving information availability we are committed to develop and establish an ideal medium for the Participation and exchange of a trusted and accurate source of quality information.The aims of these organizations are to promote…..
1. Information collaborations and Constructive communication between NGOs, to develop effective partnership with each other.
2. Networking for the access, sharing and dissemination of informationCollaboration and Partnerships between NGOs themselves and with other organizations.
3. Electronic Networking to strengthen community organizations by boosting its knowledge base and its ability to share information and experiences with strategic allies and other partners in relevant field.
4. Capacity building of grassroot level NGOs, social workers through free online resources and information on a single platform.
5. To serve non-profit organisations, charities, grassroots and community groups, educational and research institutions.
6. Sharing of ideas among NGOs and development agents.
7. Avail free, easy and instant access to information.
8. Help other NGOs in their fund-raising efforts.
9. Provide more options before Funding Agencies to select the right choice of organisation to support and work with.
Thus, they focus on the development in areas such as development, water, education, health, environment, natural resources, micro finance, population, disability, housing and emergency relief in India.Organisations who fund these NGOs are first enlisted and selected from the informations provided by NGOs, networks and various other sources. Funding agencies provide support and funding to non-profits, grass-root level NGOs, organisations; but the agencies provide funds and support according to their own guidelines, terms and parameters. The listing of donor and other related agencies, persons, organisations provided here is only for information purpose. Thus, NGos are not affiliated with any agency, do not endorse or recommend any agency or organisation for any purpose
For bridging the data gap and improving information availability we are committed to develop and establish an ideal medium for the Participation and exchange of a trusted and accurate source of quality information.The aims of these organizations are to promote…..
1. Information collaborations and Constructive communication between NGOs, to develop effective partnership with each other.
2. Networking for the access, sharing and dissemination of informationCollaboration and Partnerships between NGOs themselves and with other organizations.
3. Electronic Networking to strengthen community organizations by boosting its knowledge base and its ability to share information and experiences with strategic allies and other partners in relevant field.
4. Capacity building of grassroot level NGOs, social workers through free online resources and information on a single platform.
5. To serve non-profit organisations, charities, grassroots and community groups, educational and research institutions.
6. Sharing of ideas among NGOs and development agents.
7. Avail free, easy and instant access to information.
8. Help other NGOs in their fund-raising efforts.
9. Provide more options before Funding Agencies to select the right choice of organisation to support and work with.
Thus, they focus on the development in areas such as development, water, education, health, environment, natural resources, micro finance, population, disability, housing and emergency relief in India.Organisations who fund these NGOs are first enlisted and selected from the informations provided by NGOs, networks and various other sources. Funding agencies provide support and funding to non-profits, grass-root level NGOs, organisations; but the agencies provide funds and support according to their own guidelines, terms and parameters. The listing of donor and other related agencies, persons, organisations provided here is only for information purpose. Thus, NGos are not affiliated with any agency, do not endorse or recommend any agency or organisation for any purpose
Singapore drawing more non-profit groups
After years of courting big businesses, Singapore is attracting international non-profit groups such as United Nations agencies and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The number setting up here has doubled to more than 60 since 2005, with about 10 arriving over the past year.
The number setting up here has doubled to more than 60 since 2005, with about 10 arriving over the past year.
They include Operation Smile, a medical group that helps children with facial deformities such as cleft palates, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (Case), a group for professionals in communications, fund-raising, marketing and other fields.
Their causes range from fighting poverty and injustice (World Vision International), to offering consultancy services on philanthropy (Centre for Asian Philanthropy), and conservation (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Their causes range from fighting poverty and injustice (World Vision International), to offering consultancy services on philanthropy (Centre for Asian Philanthropy), and conservation (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Singapore is attractive to such groups because of its location, excellent infrastructure and large number of multinational companies (MNCs) based here.
The WWF, for instance, said the presence of thousands of MNCs here puts the organisation 'in a unique position to influence corporations and their sustainability practices'.
Said Mr Gary Loh, chairman of Operation Smile Singapore: 'Singapore has more than money to give. We have very strong medical expertise and facilities.'
The WWF, for instance, said the presence of thousands of MNCs here puts the organisation 'in a unique position to influence corporations and their sustainability practices'.
Said Mr Gary Loh, chairman of Operation Smile Singapore: 'Singapore has more than money to give. We have very strong medical expertise and facilities.'
To draw even more such groups, a one-stop office comprising different government agencies and led by the Economic Development Board was set up in February. Singapore also offers incentives such as tax exemptions.
The Government's push to woo these groups marks a change from the past when Singapore 'didn't know what to do with such groups', said EDB's director of new business group, Mr Jonathan Kua.
'It's not like we didn't welcome such organisations back then, but they were not our focus,' he said.
This changed as Singapore's focus on practical economic considerations widened in recent years.
'Our main goal in attracting such groups is not economic,' said Mr Kua. 'We want credibility as a world-class city. And as we develop, it's always the intangibles like quality of life, arts and civil society that attract people.'
Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of the National Kidney Foundation, said local charities will be able to learn from the international groups' global experience and best practices.
'It's not like we didn't welcome such organisations back then, but they were not our focus,' he said.
This changed as Singapore's focus on practical economic considerations widened in recent years.
'Our main goal in attracting such groups is not economic,' said Mr Kua. 'We want credibility as a world-class city. And as we develop, it's always the intangibles like quality of life, arts and civil society that attract people.'
Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of the National Kidney Foundation, said local charities will be able to learn from the international groups' global experience and best practices.
But there are direct benefits for Singaporeans as more such groups arrive - more jobs, for one.
The EDB hopes to attract at least 150 such groups by 2015, and that will create 2,500 jobs.
There will also be indirect spin-offs for the economy, such as spending by people who attend meetings organised here by these groups.
When asked about the fiery brand of activism that some groups are known for, Mr Kua said: 'The NGOs that come here are very practical, so we are not too worried about activism.'
The EDB hopes to attract at least 150 such groups by 2015, and that will create 2,500 jobs.
There will also be indirect spin-offs for the economy, such as spending by people who attend meetings organised here by these groups.
When asked about the fiery brand of activism that some groups are known for, Mr Kua said: 'The NGOs that come here are very practical, so we are not too worried about activism.'
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