Temasek launches S$100m S Rajaratnam fund

Singapore

TO fortify the foundations laid by Singapore's first and longest- serving foreign minister, the late S Rajaratnam, Temasek Holdings on Tuesday launched the S$100 million S Rajaratnam Endowment (SRE) to support domestic and regional programmes and partnerships that will promote regional cooperation and development.

Guided by his vision of a "global city", the country has strengthened its regional and global diplomacy and security. But with the world in a state of flux, with momentous shifts in power and ideas underway, including the rise of Asia, Singapore now sits on the cusp of a new era.

"The next phase of Asia's growth," said SRE chairman Wong Kan Seng, "will see more complex and greater challenges in geopolitics, changing demographics, income disparities and the competitive use of resources.

"It is thus important for all stakeholders to reinforce the foundations for sustainable growth in the region."

SRE will partner regional and international organisations and think tanks, as well as the private sector, to achieve its aim.

SRE's flagship event, The Singapore Forum, an exclusive event for about 200 policymakers, business and thought-leaders, will be launched in April 2015 with discussions focused on geo-strategic, politico-economic and governance issues that will have an impact on regional development and stability.

The forum will be guided by an advisory board of four, including the secretary-general of the G-20 research office and former vice-minister of China's Ministry of Commerce, Long Yongtu, and the former deputy chairman of India's Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

SRE also aims to support programmes and partnerships that promote a better understanding of international relations and foreign affairs policies, social development, culture, literary arts and journalism.

The first programme will be the Youth Model Asean Conference (YMAC), in partnership with Singapore Polytechnic.

Over a four-day period in December this year, 400 youth leaders from all 10 Asean countries will convene to engage in topics that will impact the region's growth and development. YMAC will also serve as a platform to facilitate interaction among student leaders and their regional counterparts, promoting greater understanding and friendship.