Sensitive issues may crop up in promotion of social integration

[Khoo Ee Hoon]

Sensitive issues may crop up in promotion of social integration
ChannelNewsasia.com

SINGAPORE: The National Integration Council (NIC) has called for arts groups to help promote interaction between locals and new immigrants.

But on Friday, some in the arts community said sensitive issues like race and religion will crop up, and they are concerned about how these matters will be handled by the authorities.

Since 1994, drama company TheatreWorks has organised a programme called "Flying Circus" where arts practitioners from Asia engage residents in communities. It said this approach can help Singaporeans and new immigrants understand one another better.

Tay Tong, managing director of TheatreWorks, said: "It's really more about that, rather than say, 'Oh, let's do a play and please, integrate!'. I don't think that's going to work.

"I'm kind of curious what it means by integration. I think when we're dealing with cultural differences, it should primarily be more about the celebration of differences, rather than trying to be homogeneous."

An arts space, whether it is a theatre or something more informal, has always been seen as a neutral space where social issues can be explored. Arts practitioners are also of the view that there is always a need for the arts to remain relevant to its audience.

However, some cautioned that using it as a tool to facilitate social integration requires understanding and careful consideration.

Nominated Member of Parliament Audrey Wong, who is also artistic co-director of Substation, said: "The thing is, we don't want to do propaganda art. In fact, the public cannot be duped. They are suspicious of anything that smacks of propaganda. So there needs to be an understanding of how art works and how art functions in society, in order for the initiative to be successful."

One group uses painting to break down barriers between youths and migrant workers. It also uses what is called "forum theatre" to explore issues of the day.

Shaun Teo, president of Migrant Voices, said: "We are not talking about issues in a hypothetical or ideal situation. The characters act out certain situations that will happen at home, so the solutions that they'll find from forum theatre are the solutions that they are most probably able to apply at home."

But practitioners said challenges remain.

Ms Wong said: "If there are projects which the council wishes to support, but where issues of race and religion are brought up and discussed and debated, will the council want to put a stop to it? Will the authorities want to put a stop to it? Or will they allow healthy debate of these sensitive areas?"

The NIC is also exploring other avenues, such as game shows and current affairs programmes, to encourage social interaction.