Welcome Remarks by Ms Euleen Goh, SIF Chairman, at the Ideas for a Better World Forum: Focus on Talents: the Competitive Advantage of Specialist

Your Excellency Ole Lis-borg
Danish Ambassador to Singapore
Distinguished guests
Friends

Good morning and a warm welcome to the Singapore International Foundation’s fourth Ideas for a Better World Forum.

We are delighted that Mr Thorkil Sonne, Ashoka Fellow and the Founder of Specialisterne and the Specialist People Foundation, is able to join us today as our keynote speaker. Motivated by the life’s challenges he saw facing individuals with autism, Thorkil has made it his mission to help these 'specialist people' become respected as worthy and valuable members of society. As you will hear from him later, his work is an inspirational journey of challenging and redefining societal norms by harnessing the unique capabilities of these individuals for gainful employment.

Thorkil is one of the many inspirational thought leaders the SIF has had the privilege to host as speakers for our Ideas for a Better World Forum series that was inaugurated in March. This has enabled stimulating exchanges in the areas of social entrepreneurship and sustainable urban living. At the SIF, we believe ideas multiply when shared. Through this forum series, we aim to inspire action for change.

Our fourth Forum today marks the coming of age of this initiative. It also affirms the SIF’s commitment to be a bridge between Singapore and world communities, and a catalyst for change towards a better world. In this journey, partnerships are integral to the sustainable impact we seek to achieve.

Today marks yet another significant milestone for us. The SIF will be inking a Memorandum of Understanding with Ashoka at the end of today’s Forum. This MoU underscores the premium SIF places on partnerships to do good. We believe that far more good can be accomplished collectively.

The SIF and Ashoka share the same aspirations of fostering a global community of change-makers for social innovation. With Ashoka, we seek to jointly employ the most creative and effective solutions to achieve new benchmarks as we build a better world together.

Indeed, the SIF-Ashoka MoU raises our good cooperation to a new level. Over the next three years, we will work together to promote social innovation and entrepreneurship through regular visit programmes, study trips and future Forums. We believe that as we bring people together, the sharing of ideas by Ashoka Fellows from around the world will inspire action and empower the next generation of budding social entrepreneurs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, the SIF celebrates with you ideas, people and opportunities - and the wonderful promise of a better tomorrow when they all come together for a common good.

Through Thorkil’s sharing and the following panel session, let us explore and discuss how we can embrace diversity in every aspect for a better world, one which is peaceful, inclusive and offers opportunities for all.

A heartfelt appreciation to our panellists - Ms Denise Phua, President of the Autism Resource Centre Singapore and Supervisor of Pathlight School and Eden School Boards, Mr Alvin Ng, Managing Director of Global Enterprises in Greater China and Asia Pacific for Cisco Systems, and Ms Tracey Ho, Leader of Workforce Diversity for Asia Pacific at IBM. Thank you for contributing your ideas and sharing your insights with us today.

Being a passionate advocate of social issues herself, my fellow SIF governor, Ms Anita Fam, is an ideal choice as moderator for today's Forum. I am certain she will do an excellent job leading us in a time of fruitful discussion.

I thank you all for taking the time to join us today and wish you a meaningful exchange. May we inspire each other to become the change we wish to see in the world.