BUTLER Magazine’s Post

"OUR SINGAPORE- ONE UNITED PEOPLE" BY MATT-Q https://lnkd.in/gGqGKHgY Those who study history and are in touch with current affairs also know that 'unity' is a loaded term. It can be a banner used for various purposes and agendas, and it depends on who is heralding the call for unity and the MORAL BASIS in which one is advocating and mobilising for it. To me, Singapore can become as disunited as other states IF we let our success get to our head, put the cart before the horse and end up missing the forest for the trees. Any nation is as good as the its people and the kind of values they uphold collectively. Nationhood is an intrinsic and intangible sense of shared identity and bond, which is different from a mere STATE, which may have the physical and mechanical systems and structures in place. Nurturing a people in a STATE is inherently different from building up a NATION where there is this unseen but undeniable shared consciousness and sense of belonging amongst the people, which is a goal that we have been striving to achieve with each successive generation since our independence. We have done so well in terms of being NUMBER ONE for so many physical achievements. But surely, we will make a much more powerful and lasting impact on the world if Singaporeans were known for their kindness, compassion and willingness to journey alongside with those who are different, disabled, need more understanding and help and to help one another 'get there'. Wouldn't it be great if Singaporeans were not all about the money, accolades and KPIs, which are all important ONLY if there is a COMMON MORAL ANCHOR holding us together where we learn to EMPATHISE, IDENTITY AND care for one another? I dare say that getting that anchor right is tantamount to setting the LONG TERM FRAMEWORK where we build the foundations of lasting wellbeing for our nation because we leave no one behind and success does not turn us into self centred, self absorbed and distant individuals just existing to get the best individual deal for ourselves? Unrealistic? Well, you can't stop one Singaporean who has struggled all his life to feel that he belongs here, from praying and hoping that it may come true, even if it sounds idealistic. #oneunitedpeople #onesingapore #nationaldaysingapore #matthewqueksingapore #dream #nationhood #belonging #identity

Upon learning of the opportunity for my family's business to collaborate with the local government in 泉州 to rekindle and foster bonds through our business offerings, I realised that it must transcend mere economic benefits. When I proposed the idea of showcasing our offerings in China to my in-laws (Dance Ensemble Singapore, 新加坡聚舞坊), I anticipated that it would serve as a gateway to numerous future opportunities for us to not only strengthen bilateral relations, but also to establish long-term partnerships. What I hadn't anticipated was the rapid expansion of this venture, extending beyond 泉州 to garner interest from across China in our cultural and artistic scene. The potential is truly remarkable. Given the constraints of limited resources and team capacity, it took slightly over a year for us to negotiate terms and conditions and ultimately execute the initial phase of our venture. This marks the beginning of our journey towards fostering a sustainable future of growth, extending beyond our individual capabilities. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported us on this journey thus far. Hopefully, in the near future, we will be able to unveil more about what lies ahead. I eagerly await the opportunity to witness how our Little-Red-Dot can serve as a conduit to fortify our ASEAN identity, and to collaborate and grow with like-minded individuals who share our vision of advancing capabilities beyond mere economic prosperity. #ComeJoinUs #WhenWeAreTogether 晋江市融媒体中心, 2024-03

Happy Singapore National Day from ADEPT Decisions #decisionengine #decisionmanagement #creditdecisioning #creditriskmanagement #creditassessment #rulesengine #businessrulesengine #datascience #analytics #artificialintelligence #predictivemodelling #machinelearning #fintech #mobilemoney #mobilefinancialservices #financialinclusion

Today is Singapore’s National Day. Like me, Singapore hits the wonderful age of 59 years old today. Congratulations to all Singaporeans and to Singapore’s leaders for forging something truly impressive in a small tropical island. The story of Singapore is well told. But one of its more amazing achievements is maintaining racial harmony and balance in a region of the world known more for ethnic homogeneity than heterogeneity. As a Canadian and an immigrant to Canada from a parentage of (lightly) mixed ethnic variance, issues related to culture, ethnicity, equality, acceptance and the inverses, racism and bias are at the forefront of my mind, along with power imbalances between the elite and the disenfranchised. Although these are often verboten topics in polite company, even within discussions in university settings, I believe they are paramount to the future of SE Asia and East Asia. No large country with a declining population (see South Korea, Japan and mainland China) can survive and thrive if it does not adopt non-ethnic based principles of immigration. But, this will be tough! As a white male in Asia, I see labels applied to me across countries that are somewhat innocent in intent but place a focus on differences. Such wordings tend to be muted in countries with high immigration - like Canada, but they are lexiconic in various places in Asia. A caucasian person can be termed: Thailand - Farang Indonesia - Bule Cambodia - Barang (more for French) Singapore - Ang Mo Malaysia - Ang Mo Japan - Gaijin (more racially neutral) China - Waiguoren (more racially neutral) Vietnam - Người nước ngoài (racially neutral) Some might argue that these terms connote white privilege, others are clearly derogatory. Hong Kong - gweilo Vietnam - T…g Tây (not 100% on how to write this slur) Philippines - AFAM The latter is an interesting word in itself as it refers to a white foreign man in a relationship with a Filipina. It can have multiple connotations, some of which are pejorative. But when used by the marites’s (gossip hounds) of the world the connotation is negative, implying social climbing, racial biases, or sugar dating. Although just one example, it marks a trend where social mobility is restricted by the so-called crab effect. Indeed, going back to the issue of power assymetries and entrenched social statuses, certainly political and business elite have a responsibility to free resources so that the capable and motivated can achieve the so-called American dream anywhere in the world. But those who seek to climb, should be supported not impeded, by others in the same social stratum. Unfortunately, human nature dictates that behavior will be otherwise, much to my frustration given my love for Asia and my hope to see a better world here. Until such a world emerges in other countries in Asia, we can at least look to Singapore on the day of its 59th birthday where its version of meritocracy has worked. #singapore #equity

ASEAN: The Next Frontier of Global Growth 🌏 I deeply resonate with the vision of positioning ASEAN as a key driver of global growth and impact. With over 660 million people and a combined GDP of $3.9 trillion, our region is a powerhouse of opportunity, innovation, and resilience. Figuratively, ASEAN is like a bridge—connecting East and West, past and future, diversity and unity. It’s where bold ideas meet action, and where collaboration can reshape the world. Together, let’s harness this potential to not just grow, but lead with purpose and sustainability. #ASEAN #GlobalImpact #RegionalLeadership #UnityInDiversity

Vietnam is so nice

Happy National Day, Singapore! 🎉 Here’s to many more years of harmony, progress, and moments that bring us together. ✨🇸🇬 #nationalday2024 #nationaldaysg #majulahsingapura #happybirthdaysingapore #SG59 #NDP2024 #NDP24 #sgmarketing #sgadvertising #socialmediamarketing #contentmarketing #marketingagency #sgbusiness #supportsglocal #sgbrand

“Together, As One United People" is a powerful theme that encapsulates the essence of unity and collaboration in Singapore. As the nation advances as a Smart Nation, every individual plays a vital role in enriching and sustaining the fabric of Singaporean society, contributing to the nation's growth, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Singapore's commitment to becoming a leader in AI is reflected in the National AI Strategy 2.0, which aims to harness AI for public good, ensuring that technology serves to uplift both social and economic potential. This strategy emphasizes the importance of unity, resilience, and inclusivity, as we work towards a brighter future where every individual's unique contributions are celebrated. By fostering a collaborative environment between citizens, businesses, and the government, Singapore is not just embracing technology but actively defining the process of advancement in AI. Together, we will build a cohesive and harmonious community that thrives on innovation and trust. Majulah Singapura! 🇸🇬😊

How did the trade mission to #Japan go? Take a look at the video, where participating companies share their experience! 📢 https://lnkd.in/g8yfB2P4 5 companies, Spectricity (Glenn Vandevoorde), Ryp Labs (Moody Soliman), Clyppe (Silvia Sabria), DEME Offshore NL (David De Prekel) and BLUWAYS (Johan Lecoutere), share what they learnt from the trade mission to Japan and how was their experience. Some bits of information: - Japan is opening up to the West, specially during the last 4-5 years, where there has been a clear goal from the government. - teambuilding within the Japanese companies, but also with Japanese companies, is often happening in the pub... - the right communication is the key, taking into account the cultural aspects! This EU trade mission is organized by project GOOSE, under the leadership of Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) local office, together with 3 other project partners Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,  Hrvatska udruga poslodavaca - Croatian Employers` Association and ACCIÓ.   Vincent Goossens, Dirk De Ruyver, Johan Malin, Marko Jurcic, Oriol Martínez Alòs-Moner, Merit Fimberg-Espuch.

🇸🇬 Happy National Day, Singapore! A nation renowned for its knowledge-driven, resilient, and forward-looking spirit. Wishing all my Singaporean friends and colleagues continued success and prosperity. In the West, we can certainly admire—and perhaps envy—how you consistently turn dreams into reality. Singapore is the prime example of science-based country and the justification why other small nations should not stop dreaming.