The HarmonyWorks! Conference is OnePeople.sg's flagship youth programme targeted at students from the Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges (JC), Institute of Technical Educations (ITE), Polytechnics, Madrasahs and International Schools.

HarmonyWorks! Conference 2010 held at Nanyang Polytechnic on 10 July 2010 marked the launch of the month-long Orange Ribbon Celebrations spearheaded by OnePeople.sg (OPSG),  supported by our key partners, the Community Development Councils, Self-Help Groups, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education and People’s Association. The theme for HarmonyWorks! Conference 2010 “Inte-GREAT-ion - How Will You Embrace Diversity?” has engaged more than 300 youth participants and volunteers from various institutions to discuss current trends and issues relating to diversity and integration in Singapore. The highlight of the conference the dialogue session brought forth different perspectives, both from the citizens as well as expatriates on what integration truly means for our society and what is required from both parties to adapt to a changing demographic landscape. Click to read on more about this annual youth-for-youth HarmonyWorks! Conference. For enquires, please contact Programme Manager, Ms Wong Shi Lei at 6253 3281 or email: wongshilei@onepeople.sg.

OneKidz is a developmental racial harmony programme for children, which aims to inculcate racial harmony values from a young age. It is important that we start young to imbibe values of multi-racialism. Starting early will give our students the right foundation and attitude towards racial integration.

OneKidz is an innovative programme that serves to imbibe values of racial harmony from young. Children learn the nuances of racial harmony in a fun learning environment. The programme will create a platform for children to be aware of the key customs, culture and practices of our major ethnic groups, appreciate our cultural diversity and encourage bonding. Find out more details about OneKidz. For enquiries, please contact Programme Manager, Pravina Narayanan at 6253 3290 or email: pravina@onepeople.sg

Race and Ethnicity Awareness Programme (REAP) is a 2-day Workshop targeted at upper- and post- secondary students and educators to enhance multi-ethnic engagement and introduce approaches to multiculturalism and diversity education.

Conducted by trainers from Raffles Institute for Experiential Learning (RIEL), the workshops adopt an activity-based and discussion-based approach to introduce concepts and create understanding through exploration and experiential learning. Such activities will raise participants’ self awareness and engage them in open yet safe discussions on sensitive issues. The REAP (Students) Workshop will enable youths to analyse their multi-dimensional identity, unpack common stereotypes and explore everyday racial and ethnic insensitivities. Through a 2-day workshop, participants of the REAP (Educators) Workshop will be able to understand key terminologies and concept, familiarise themselves with student-centred facilitation techniques and approaches to multicultural engagement as well as try out hands-on activities for values clarification, infusing multicultural education and crafting action plans. Find out more about the Race and Ethnicity Awareness Programme (REAP) for Students and Teachers to be conducted in May and June 2010. For enquires, please contact Programme Manager, Wong Shi Lei at 6253 3281 or email: wongshilei@onepeople.sg.

The first OnePeople.sg youth dialogue entitled ‘DiverCity – The Next Generation’ was held at OnePeople.sg on 24 July 2009 to engage youths to discuss key issues pertaining to race relations and elicit their views in the promotion of Racial Harmony. A group of 7 Raffles Institution students mentored by OnePeople.sg assisted in organising this youth-for-youth dialogue session as part of their Research Education Service Learning project.

65 students gathered at OnePeople.sg where Dr Daniel Goh, Associate Professor from National University of Singapore, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Sociology gave a presentation on Multi-culturalism in Singapore. The Q & A session followed, with panelists A/P Patricia Wong, Department of English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education and moderator Mr Farid Hamid, Chief Facilitator Explorations in Ethnicity. Students had a chance to raise their concerns about issues and policies related to race and ethnicity, the formation of SAP schools and racial clustering in schools. The students had a fruitful discussion with the panellists, discussing the various issues on the topic of race and diversity in Singapore which matters to them as youths of the next generation. Have your say in the next youth dialogue! Please continue to check our website for updates.

RAFUSICUL- Racial.Fusion.Culture. These were the keywords as youths from different races gathered to participate in RAFUSICUL ’09 held at the United Square Atrium from 24 to 25 June 2009. Organised by OnePeople.sg Youth Wing Members, the objective of this event is to promote racial harmony and foster positive interaction among youths of different races under the theme of music.

This youth-for-youth event consists of a main singing and band competition, where participants of different races expressed their feelings and hopes towards racial harmony through songs and music. One of the major highlights was when Natri, a Malay contestant and the eventual winner of the singing competition, serenaded everyone with her flawless rendition of two Chinese songs, personifying the fusion of race and culture in Singapore. Mohd Salihan also mesmerised the audience with a combination of Malay and Chinese lyrics of the songs, ‘Cinta Arjuna’ and ‘Tong Hua’. Cultural booths were set up where attendees try their hands on some traditional cultural activities such as Chinese calligraphy and Henna painting, Congkak. Participants also took part in an “Amazing Race” styled contest named CRACE ’09, where they traveled to different parts of Singapore, clearing obstacles and learning about the cultural practices of different races. The event was a resounding success as youths from a diversity of cultures got together, engaging in friendly competition and forming lasting friendships. View the video highlight and click to view the photo gallery for the event. Hope to see you next year at RAFUSICUL ’10!

On 29 April 2009, OnePeople.sg hosted delegates from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports from the Netherlands. They arrived on an official visit to discover more about Singapore’s best practices to effectively promote racial harmony in the nation as well as in engaging its youths in racial harmony projects.

Their visit to Singapore saw them gathering in the OPSG Youth Hub to not only view the OnePeople.sg corporate video which sheds insight on our youth initiatives and community engagement programmes, but to interact with staff and discover first-hand how Singapore champions racial harmony to youths, especially through organisations like OnePeople.sg and National Youth Council. The insightful and enlightening session allowed both parties to share and discuss problems faced when reaching out to youths on issues of “race” and “ethnicity”. Staff and delegates also explored the concept of bridging differences through the lingua franca of English. Through the exchange of ideas and interacting with one another, both parties gained invaluable perspectives and developed new ideas on adopting strategies to enhance our outreach to the youths.