They argue that sustaining openness requires fairness, integration and a shared sense of belonging. While Singapore is open for business, the harder test is whether we can stay open in our hearts.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/5f8pwyw5

In this commentary for The Business Times, IPS’ Melvin Tay and Mathew Mathews examine how Singaporeans view immigration and national identity. While pride in a civic, multicultural Singapore remains strong, views on newcomers are more divided.

Drawing lessons from Manchester’s reused Christmas icon and everyday traditions at home, they argue that valuing enduring symbols and decorations can reduce waste while deepening meaning.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/3pdb8bpf

In this commentary for The Straits Times, IPS’ Robyn Tan, Justin Lee and Liang Kaixin reflect on the hidden carbon costs of festive “newness”.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/55cta8kp

The full survey findings on manufacturing firms from seven Asean countries are released in a report titled “States, Markets, and Regional Integration", first presented at the IPS-SBF Conference – Global-City Singapore: SG60 and Beyond.

#SG60Conf

They underscore the need to better bridge trade policy with firm-level outcomes through stronger, more coordinated systemic support by government bodies and industry associations.

In this commentary for IPS Commons, Faizal Yahya from IPS and Soo Yeon Kim from the University of British Columbia argue that while ASEAN and Singapore have extensive regional and bilateral FTAs, utilisation remains uneven due to gaps in awareness, capacity and procedural knowledge.

and know how to have conversations with young people on their technological use.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/yc46bc3k
Read IPS Working Papers No. 68 - Online Harms in Singapore: From Evidence to Action here: tinyurl.com/wajbaaxn

#singapore #socialmedia #teenager #parenting #technology

He also noted that bans may also deny teens of the positive effects of social media, such as connection and support.

Dr Chew also shared that a safer online space can be created when digital literacy is accessible for young people and their parents. Seniors need technical skills to help youths,

However, IPS' Dr Chew Han Ei, principal investigator of the survey, raised concerns that tech companies may deprioritise fixing the source of online harms, and youths may also relocate to less regulated platforms, where the regulatory eye may not be trained.

In a recent IPS survey, non-consensual sexual content, the promotion of dangerous behaviours such as self-harm, and targeted harassment were ranked among the highest in terms of perceived severity, making safeguards like bans sound appealing to parents.

so they may find it more difficult to adapt to corporate working environments later on. However, he noted that those with relevant skills were generally able to move into areas they were interested in when opportunities arose.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/ywn2er2y

#singapore #gig #youth #platform

IPS' Dr Mathew Mathews observed that young people who spend their early 20s in gig work may miss out on crucial workplace skills needed for long-term mobility. He added that those who begin their careers in platform work often have little opportunity to be socialised into informal workplace norms,

The study also found that given their qualifications and skill sets, many platform workers are typically able to find only roles with similar responsibilities and pay, rather than higher-ranking jobs with better wages.

In their ongoing study on in-work poverty among the young, researchers from the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Social Service Research Centre and IPS said that platform work often lacks long-term sustainability, clear career pathways and social protection.

Read the paper here: doi.org/10.1177/0044...

Instead, these beliefs are formed early and remain remarkably stable over time. This has important implications for social cohesion and policy legitimacy, underscoring the need to broaden and make visible multiple pathways to success early in life, before outcomes and narratives harden.

In this paper by NUS researchers Chong Yen Kiat, Tan Shin Bin and Vincent Chua and IPS' Chew Han Ei, the authors find that major life transitions such as completing education, entering the workforce, marriage and parenthood have only marginal effects on individuals’ meritocratic beliefs.

and how employers can help them achieve stability in their lives.

Watch his interview here: tinyurl.com/yth5a34w

#ipssg #singapore #family #income #community