Latest news with #nationbuilding
ABC News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Utopia: Trailer
Skip to main content Go back to home page Home Live TV Shows Movies ABC News ABC Kids Categories Utopia. A satire about the difficult process of taking grand, uncosted, inadequately planned, fundamentally flawed schemes - and passing them off as "Nation Building". Rob Sitch, Celia Pacquola, Kitty Flanagan, Luke McGregor, Anthony Lehmann, Dave Lawson, Emma-Louise Wilson, Toby Truslove, Michelle Lim Davidson
Wall Street Journal
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
MAGA's Misguided Isolationists
The press is full of reporting on the 'MAGA civil war' over Iran, but what's notable is that the loudest isolationists appear to be losing the debate. It's worth considering how they've misread the historical moment, the views of most Republicans, and above all President Trump. Start with the threat and the mission. Like leftists after Vietnam, the new-right isolationists see every U.S. military intervention as a slippery slope to disaster. Instead of Vietnam Syndrome, they suffer from Iraq Syndrome: Every U.S. intervention will turn into a quagmire of 'nation-building,' or even catastrophe.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
New volunteering scheme for companies allows for greater flexibility
There is a new volunteering scheme for companies big or small looking to kickstart their giving journey, by allowing for greater flexibility in volunteering hours. It is part of a wider effort to build a greater sense of community, as Singapore marks 60 years of nation-building. Chloe Teo reports.
CNA
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Over 200 seniors contribute stories to Founders' Memorial project paying tribute to Singapore's first citizens
SINGAPORE: A Founders' Memorial project paying tribute to Singapore's first citizens has collected tales of the country's early years from over 200 seniors. They are being showcased in roving pop-up exhibitions – and will also feature in a special exhibition at the National Gallery from October – as part of an effort to capture the country's early nation-building years as Singapore turns 60. Launched in April this year, 'Project Citizens – The First Million' will run until March 2026, to commemorate Singapore's 60th year of independence. It is part of the Founders' Memorial's continued engagement with the public to shape its content ahead of its opening at Bay East Garden at the end of 2028. The new memorial will consist of an integrated gallery and gardens experience and is estimated to cost S$335 million (US$261 million) to develop. The ongoing campaign pays tribute to the founding generation by gathering stories exemplifying the values they held in the country's early years, according to the Founders' Memorial. Speaking at the Project Citizens pop-up at Woodlands Regional Library on Wednesday (Jun 18), Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo called SG60 'an opportunity to reflect on the values that brought us here and reaffirm our commitment to continue building an even better Singapore'. 'There is much to learn from our founding generation, in particular their values like resilience, hard work and determination,' he said. 'This is why we embarked on Project Citizens, to capture the stories of our founding generation. Stories that bring to life their values which have shaped Singapore, and their grit and determination to build a new nation.' He added that their stories offer insights into Singapore's early years, when questions of citizenship, economic survival and multicultural harmony hung in the balance. THE FOUNDING GENERATION In his speech, Mr Neo also highlighted the experiences of two Singaporeans who witnessed the country's early years. Mr Dileep Nair, 75, was attending his aunt's wedding in Singapore on the day that separation was announced. 'He recalls mixed feelings of pride and apprehension, as independence was thrust upon Singapore,' said Mr Neo. While many of his father's colleagues left Singapore for the United Kingdom, Mr Nair's parents chose to remain because of their friends and family here. Mr Nair had childhood friends from different races, and fondly recalls how his Chinese friends would welcome him into their homes for Chinese New Year reunion dinners. 'These deep friendships have remained to this day,' said Mr Neo. 'It is Mr Nair's strong conviction that multiculturalism goes beyond tolerance and pleasantries. It requires our active participation and genuine acceptance.' Another senior whom Mr Neo singled out was 78-year-old Mark Wong Kim Yong, who lived through the 1964 racial riots. 'He vividly recalls an encounter after school where he feared for his life, and he had to hide from rioters just to get home safely,' said Mr Neo. Mr Wong is currently an active volunteer in grassroots and community organisations, organising initiatives to bring communities together, such as buka puasa gatherings during Ramadan, said Mr Neo. THREE PARTS TO THE CAMPAIGN The year-long Project Citizens campaign comprises three parts: a senior engagement programme, pop-up exhibitions across the island and an exhibition titled 'Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore'. In the senior engagement programme, volunteers help seniors recount and record their stories through facilitated activities and intergenerational conversations. The programme has been ongoing at various locations across Singapore, in partnership with organisations like the Agency for Integrated Care, the People's Association, the National Library Board and corporate and community partners. From April this year to March next year, the Project Citizens pop-up will also be hosted at more than 20 locations, such as community hubs and libraries. Through vignettes, dioramas of early nation-building scenes and an interactive photo zone, visitors can experience the founding generation's citizenship journey, from breaking away as British subjects after World War II to finally becoming citizens of independent Singapore. The pop-up was launched at Tampines Regional Library and Clementi Public Library, and has since travelled to Woodlands Regional Library, Bedok Public Library and the National Family Festival held at the Singapore Expo. From October this year, the 'Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore' experience at the National Gallery will explore Singapore's multiculturalism. This includes taking a look at how multiculturalism came to be during the 1950s to 1970s, how it remains key to Singapore's unity and progress, and how Singaporeans can play an active role in shaping it. It will be the Founders' Memorial's second pilot to test the content and storytelling approach of its eventual galleries. 'We are not mere spectators, but active participants forging a culture of multiculturalism that is uniquely Singapore, where everyone can come together and we celebrate our unity in diversity,' said Mr Neo. Mr Lee Tzu Yang, co-chair of the Founders' Memorial Committee, said that the 'Project Citizens – The First Million' initiative continues the journey of 'honouring our founding generation and leaders as we reflect on their important contributions and sacrifices'. 'We hope their stories will inspire present and future generations to continue their footsteps and commit and contribute to Singapore's story,' he said. 'Through continued public engagement from day one, we are building a Memorial that reflects our shared experiences and aspirations, forging a shared identity as we bring Singapore forward.'
CBC
12-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
N.L. optimistic about future of workforce despite barriers, high unemployment
Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest unemployment rate in Canada in April 2025 — 9.8 per cent — but the provincial government is not discouraged with megaprojects like Bay du Nord and the Churchill Falls MOU on the horizon. Premier John Hogan spoke with workforce leaders at a jobs forum in St. John's on Wednesday. He said Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the country on projects deemed "nation building" by Prime Minister Mark Carney. "To be honest with you, we already are the envy of the world," Hogan said. According to the federal government, nation-building projects would "make a significant contribution to Canada's prosperity" and "advance national security, economic security, defence security and national autonomy through the increased production of energy and goods, and the improved movement of goods, services and people throughout Canada." Examples include highways, railways, ports, airports, pipelines, critical minerals, mines, nuclear facilities and electrical transmission projects. Hogan said Newfoundland and Labrador is currently ahead of other provinces, after hearing their pitches during a first ministers' meeting in Saskatchewan last week. "When the media asked the premiers and the prime minister questions after we were done our meeting, they said 'Well who's going to build the pipeline?' And Premier Smith of Alberta said 'Well we don't know that yet,'" Hogan said. "'Who's going to build the transmission lines in Nova Scotia that you're talking about,' and they said 'Well, we don't know that yet either.'" In contrast, Hogan said, Newfoundland and Labrador's plans are no longer concepts, but industry professionals are more concerned about workforce capacity and infrastructure. For example, Mining Industry N.L. executive director Amanda McCallum told reporters they will need 1,000 workers to help with construction or mine operations on the Baie Verte Peninsula. She's not sure where all the workers will stay. "The Baie Verte Peninsula, in the very near term, is certainly a pressure point," McCallum said. "When you're talking about having to increase a workforce, there's housing requirements, there's social supports, there's services." McCallum said Mining Industry N.L. went into the jobs forum with the intent to be heard. "It's not just jobs, it's ensuring that people have a nice, safe community to work in, that work-life balance," she said. The Association for New Canadians also voiced its concerns as newcomers often face additional barriers when trying to enter the workforce. "The main challenge would be language. [The] language barrier is a common challenge for newcomers who come to the province," said Khalid Al-Hariri, the ANC's acting director of employment services. Jobs, Immigration and Growth Minister Gerry Byrne hosted the forum on Wednesday. He said improving the province's workforce is a priority. "There's a commonality with attracting a workforce, developing skills within the workforce, and creating that highly, highly dignified workplace. That's a goal for us all," Byrne said.
