Breakouts

ICCS 2025 offers the following breakout sessions that feature in-depth discussions on aspects across the three pillars.

Breakout 1: Is history a compass for navigation or a barrier to a more inclusive futures?

People from diverse communities have interacted with one another since human civilisations. The long, shared history however does not always progress to having a better understanding between sectarian groups. In periods of economic uncertainties and rapid changes, some societies have fractured along racial and religious lines, while others have flourished through shared values and mutually agreed ways of life. This session will discuss how nations can anchor on common national legacies for the future, and what are the conditions that have enabled multicultural societies to be optimistic and cohesive.

Speakers:

• Professor Noorhaidi Hassan, Rector, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta

• Ms Lee Huay Leng, Editor-in-Chief, SPH Chinese Media Group

Moderator: Venerable Chuan Sheng, Vice-Rector, Buddhist College of Singapore

Breakout 2: What conditions promote respect, togetherness and success?

How can we foster a growing sense of togetherness in an increasingly diverse and connected world? What kind of social compact is needed to bring state, institutions, and sectarian groups together? How may we build multi-ethnic cohesion and ensure every community thrive in-spite of cultural, religious, and economic differences? This session will explore perspectives on creating environments that promote inclusion, trust, and collective well-being.

Speakers:

• Monsignor Indunil Kodithuwakku, Secretary, Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican

• Professor John W. Berry, Professor Emeritus, Queen’s University, Canada

Moderator: Ms Michelle Tay, Executive Director, Singapore Kindness Movement

Breakout 3: Stories that inspire multicultural inclusion and shared purpose

Case studies offer powerful lessons on how cohesion can be forged even if the environment is less than conducive. This session highlights practical insights about building bridges between evolving cultures. Their stories showcase some of the best practices in multi-racial and multi-religious societies, and the innovative strategies that have proven effective in uplifting and empowering vulnerable minority groups.

Speakers:

• Professor Harvey Whitehouse, Director, Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, University of Oxford

• Imam Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid, Muslim Chaplain, Harvard University

Moderator: Mohamed Irshad, Founder of Roses of Peace

Breakout 4: Fostering a Resilient Digital Eco-System in a Multicultural Society

Rapid technological advancements have given rise to unique challenges and opportunities to strengthening our multi-ethnic and multi-religious fabric. While the advent of artificial intelligence and social media platforms have contributed to cyber harms in the form of misinformation, deep fake, and digital abuse, there is also evidence that its potential can be harnessed to grow of a stronger, more resilient society. This session brings together speakers who understand how technology can elevate social trust and expand future possibilities for all.

Speakers:

• Mr Benjamin Lee, Creative Instigator and Brand Storyteller, miyagi.sg

• Mr Norman Ng, Head of Trust and Safety, APAC, Google

Moderator: Mr Benjamin Ang, Senior Fellow and Head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Breakout 5: Revamping cultural and social institutions to engage new cultural identities

As globalisation and digital connectivity redefine our way of life, new cultural clusters are emerging, and their distinct identities have challenged the dynamics between communities, heritage maintenance, and our sense of belonging to the broader society and country. The speakers will examine what are new affiliations, the implications to plural societies, and how do we engage the new groups and navigate the cultural sensitivities.

Speakers:

• Dr Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, University of Canberra

• Professor Farish Noor, Professor of Politics and Political Science, Universitas Islamic Internasional Indonesia

Moderator: Dr Leong Chan-Hoong, Senior Fellow and Head of Social Cohesion Research Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Breakout 6: Fighting extremism and polarisation together as one people

Extremism and polarisation pose significant threats to social cohesion, eroding trust and dividing communities. This session explores what are the underlying drivers for these primordial instincts, and as a society, what are the collective strategies that we can embrace to mitigate against these forces.

Speakers:

• Professor Mike Hardy, Chair of Intercultural Relations, Coventry University

• Rabbi Silvina Chemen, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, University Isaac Abarbanel

Moderator: Professor Paul Hedges, Professor in Interreligious Relations, Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Breakout 7: Expanding our common space through everyday multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is not just about having different communities coexist together. It is also about appreciating and embracing the ambivalence of diversity, identifying what are the shared rituals, and agreeing on what should be the way of life for all. This session explores how mutual understanding and respect can be fostered in our mundane routines, and how harmony can be forged with simple gestures and day to day activities. 

Speakers:

• Professor Katy Bennett, Professor of Human Geography, University of Leicester

• Professor Susanne Wessendorf, Professor of Social Anthropology, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University

Moderator: Dr Selvaraj Velayutham, Associate Professor of Sociology, Macquarie University

Breakout 8: Rebuilding trust and cohesion after social tragedies

Natural and man-made disasters have a long and deep impact on the psychological and communal fabric of a society. This challenge is more acute in a diverse society where the quality of multicultural contact and trust form the bedrock of stability. As such, post-crises management and the successful rebuilding of societies are vital to uplift and maintain cohesive and resilient societies in the face of devastations. This session examines the multifaceted approach to rebuilding trust after crisis recovery.

Speakers:

• Mr Rakesh Sharanun Naidoo, Superintendent & National Partnerships Manager, New Zealand Police

• Datu Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, Executive Director, Al Qalam Institute

Moderator: Dr Alistair Cook, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies