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Contents CHAPTER 1: What does it mean for me to be a citizen of my country?----------1 CHAPTER 2: How do we decide what is good for society?---------------------------4 CHAPTER 3: How can we work for the good of society?----------------------------16 CHAPTER 4: What is diversity?------------------------------------------------------------26 CHAPTER 5: Why is there greater diversity in Singapore now?-------------------33 CHAPTER 6: What are the experiences and effects of living in a diverse society?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------36 CHAPTER 7: How can we respond in a diverse society?----------------------------42 CHAPTER 8: What does it mean to live in a globalised world?--------------------52 CHAPTER 9: How do we respond to tensions arising from some economic impacts of globalisation?-------------------------------------------------------------------54 CHAPTER 10: How do we respond to tensions arising from some cultural impacts of globalisation?-------------------------------------------------------------------64 CHAPTER 11: How do we respond to tensions arising from security impacts of globalization?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------67

1 | P a g e Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship and Governance (Inquiry Focus: Working for the good of society: Whose responsibility is it?) CHAPTER 1: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME TO BE A CITIZEN OF MY COUNTRY? 1. Different Attributes Shaping Citizenship 1. Shaped by legal status 2. Having a sense of belonging 3. Participating in meaningful causes to compliment the role of government. 1.1 Citizenship Shaped by Legal Status 1. There are some similarities between being a member of a CCA and being a citizen of a country. 2. The differences between being a member of a CCA and being a citizen of a country are: Comparing CCA Membership and Singapore Citizenship Being a Member of Your CCA Being a Citizen of Singapore Membership - A personal choice - By interest - By descent - By marriage - By naturalisation Responsibility - Be committed to your CCA - Be committed to your country Rights - Be awarded CCA points - Able to use facilities assigned to your CCA, e.g. CCA room - Access to public education - Freedom to practise religion Ways to Become a Citizen 1. By descent - To gain citizenship by descent, a child requires at least one parent to be a citizen of that particular country. 2. By country of birth - Citizenship is granted to those who were born in the country. 3. By marriage - Citizenship can be obtained by marrying a citizen of that country. 4. By naturalisation - Citizenship is granted to those who have migrated to that country or have been resident there for a given number of years and registered themselves as citizens. Some countries require aspiring citizens to pass a test and/or to give up their original citizenship. 1.1.1 Citizenship in a democracy 1. Democracy is a system where people choose their representatives in government. 2. These representatives form the government and are given the authority to make decisions on behalf of the citizens.

2 | P a g e 3. Governments in a representative democracy do not have unlimited power to make decisions or carry out actions. 4. They are required to act according to the laws of the country, also known as a constitution. 1.1.2 Rights of citizens 1. A constitution is a collection of rules that determine the creation and operation of the government, its organs and institutions. 2. It is the supreme law of the land, which means all oth er laws passed must not contradict the constitution. 3. Countries usually include the rights of citizens as part of the constitution. 4. Rights are liberties that citizens have that are protected by the law. 5. When the rights of citizens are clearly articulated, it will ensure that these rights are respected by the law and by everyone in the country. 6. Citizens have to exercise their rights responsibly even though their rights are protected by the Constitution. 7. Citizens should practise the values of respect and consideration for other people when it comes to exercising their rights. 8. The Constitution also gives citizens certain rights in respect of education. It states that no citizen will be discriminated against on the ground of religion, race, descent or pla ce of birth when it comes to the provision of financial aid for education in any educational institutions. Did you know? 1.1.3 Responsibilities of citizens 1. We have responsibilities or duties to fulfil as a citizen because we are connected t o other members in the community or society. 2. As a Singaporean, we have the responsibility to obey the laws of the land and not to discriminate against people of different ethnic groups. 3. As citizens, we have the responsibility to participate in meaningful causes which contribute towards the good of the country because it will bring about progress and prosperity and to build a harmonious Singapore. 1.2 Citizenship shaped by Identity and Participation 1. Citizens may also feel a sense of belonging to t he country and this identity creates the desire to be involved in the affairs of the country and make it a better place to live in. 2. A sense of national identity comes from a shared belief that we belong to the same country. The Singapore Parliament passed the Compulsory Education Bill on 9 October 2000 to make it a requirement for every Singaporean child to attend a national primary sch ool unless he or she has been exempted.

3 | P a g e 3. As Singapore citizens, we expe rience common practices such as singing the National Anthem and taking the National Pledge. 4. Beyond common practices, Singaporeans feel proud that our country is known as a food haven to others. This recognition as a food haven creates a bond with fellow S ingaporeans and st rengthens the sense of identity as Singaporeans. 5. When Singaporeans feel closer to one another and the country, other positive outcomes may result, such as willingness to care for others and improve society. 6. Participation in public affai rs or matters of general concern in society also shapes a person’s citizenship. 7. Public affairs refer to issues that are of general interest or concern to most people in society. 8. Citizens can contribute in areas they are passionate about, thus contributin g towards greater ownership and commitment towards the causes they are involved in. Conclusion 1. The term “citizen” is complex and some people regard citizenship as having a series of rights that allow individuals the freedom to do as they choose within the law. 2. There are those who view citizenship as more than just a duty to follow the laws of the country. 3. They see citizenship as also requiring participation in making contribution to society. 4. There are also those who believe that citizenship would require sharing a common purpose and bond with fellow citizens. 5. How an individual understands what being a citizen means will affect how much this individual participates in improving the society. 6. The 3 attributes are, however, closely related to one another. 7. For example, those without the legal status of citizenship, like refugees, would find it difficult to integrate and develop a bond with other citizens. 8. Without a legal status, refugees will not be able go through formal schooling, gain employment and establish themselves in the community.

4 | P a g e Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship and Governance (Inquiry Focus: Working for the good of society: Whose responsibility is it?) CHAPTER 2: HOW DO WE DECIDE WHAT IS GOOD FOR SOCIETY? 1. Challenges in deciding what is good for socie