What were the measures taken to foster social cohesion in the multi-ethnic Singapore(Jonathan)

Community Development Councils
The Government has set-up the Community-Development-Council (CDCs) in 1997 to promote social cohesion and strengthen community bonding in the various districts.They organise many interesting activities such as family outings, sports carnivals, job fairs and cultural performances for residents to interact and bond together. CDCs also organise home stay/ home visit programme in which children spend the day with families of other races, share a meal with them and visit cultural and religious places in order to get to understand the various practices and cultures. This programme gives children the opportunity to experience first-hand the lifestyle of another ethnic group

Inter-racial Confidence Circles
The Government has also established Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCC) and Harmony Circles in all our 84 constituencies to reach out to all Singaporeans in order to strengthen understanding and a shared sense of responsibility among Singaporeans of all races and religions.The IRCCs create opportunities for Singaporeans to explore and appreciate their differences and develop bonds among different ethnic and religious communities. They organise visits to the houses of worship of different religions. This fosters greater religious harmony between the different religious and ethnic groups. There will be less chance of misunderstanding when we get to know one other better.

National Day Parades and Celebrations

Every year, during our National Day parades and celebrations, we are reminded that we are all Singaporeans, regardless of race or religion. Our nation can continue to prosper only if there is

racial harmony and peace

National Service

National Service was started in July 1967 when the first batch of 900 male Singapore citizens and permanent residents were called up for compulsory full-time service in the army. During national service, young men of different races interact with one another while training to defend our country, thus fostering common understanding, tolerance and comradeship between them. We must always remember that it is the responsibility of every Singaporeans to foster racial unity, not just the Government's alone. In going about our daily lives, we should try to do things that promote racial harmony, such as accommodating each other's cultural and religious activities.