The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) is a non-profit organisation established on 1 August 1991 to further Singapore’s globalisation efforts. It was incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee, overseen by a board of governors, and headed by then director, Chan Heng Chee, with Lee Seng Wee as chairman.1
Purpose and mission
SIF aims to “strengthen mutual understanding, ties and trust between global communities” through its programmes, and by bringing Singaporeans and overseas partners together “to connect and collaborate for positive change”. Its vision is “making friends for a better world”, while its mission is to “uplift lives and create greater understanding between Singaporeans and world communities” by sharing ideas, skills and experiences.2
Initiatives
SIF’s programmes are broken up into four domains: Cultural Exchange, Good Business, Volunteer Cooperation and Our Better World. Each domain oversees initiatives and programmes such as Arts for Good, Singapore Internationale, Young Social Entrepreneurs, Young Business Ambassadors, Water for Life, and Words on Wheels.3
SIF promotes active citizenry at home and abroad, and helps Singaporeans appreciate their place in the world community while reaching out to the world with a hand of warm friendship. Using a wide variety of platforms, SIF assists Singaporeans to become more international in outlook while staying Singaporean at heart. The foundation’s programmes connect Singaporeans at home and abroad with international communities in every area of endeavour, such as voluntarism, business development, arts, culture or academia. These programmes include: Singapore Volunteers Overseas, Friends of Singapore, Youth Expedition Project, the Humanitarian Relief Programme and Overseas Singaporeans.4
Recent milestones5
Aug 2011: Launch of Singapore International Volunteers, a refreshed volunteer brand identity.
Oct 2011: Celebration of SIF’s 20th anniversary.
Nov 2011: President Tony Tan becomes SIF’s patron.
Aug 2012: Launch of Our Better World, a digital initiative that engages the online community.
Sep 2012: Launch of the International Involvement Hub, Words on Wheels project, and the Outstanding Singapore International Volunteer award.
Apr and Jun 2013: Launch of Water for Life project in Myanmar and Indonesia respectively.
Nov 2013: Launch of SIF Connects! in Washington DC to promote understanding and collaboration between Singapore and world communities.
May 2014: Launch of Words on Wheels project in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Oct 2014: Receives the 2014 President’s Award for Volunteerism (non-profit category).
May 2015: Launch of its first volunteer cooperation programme in China to raise standards of healthcare services for the aged in Yunnan.
Sep 2015: Receives Patron of the Arts Award for efforts in promoting greater understanding through arts and culture.
Aug 2016: Celebration of SIF’s 25th anniversary.
Author
Daniel Goh
References
1. Singapore International Foundation. (1993). SIF: Singapore International Foundation [Brochure pocket]. Singapore: Author. (Call no.: RSING 337.5957 SIN)
2. Singapore International Foundation. (2016). About us. Retrieved 2016, July 1 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/; Singapore International Foundation. (2016). Vision, mission. Retrieved 2016, May 23 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/about/vision-mission
3. Singapore International Foundation. (2016). About us. Retrieved 2016, July 1 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/
4. Singapore International Foundation. (2016). Our work. Retrieved 2016, July 11 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/our-work/pp/about; Singapore International Foundation. (2016). Our work: Programmes. Retrieved 2016, July 11 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/our-work; Singapore International Foundation. (2016). Partners & friends. Retrieved 2016, July 11 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/partners-friends; Singapore International Foundation. (2016). About us: Milestones. Retrieved 2016, July 11 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/about/milestones
5. Singapore International Foundation. (2016). About us: Milestones. Retrieved 2016, July 11 from Singapore International Foundation website: http://www.sif.org.sg/about/milestones
The information in this article is valid as at 11 July 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
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