Plenaries

ICCS 2025 is pleased to present the following plenary sessions:

1. Special Presentation: Perspectives on Social Cohesion

How should we define social cohesion in today’s world? Are there universal principles of social cohesion? This segment examines the ever-evolving concept of social cohesion as it may apply to our diverse, multicultural societies of today.

Speakers:

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

• Dr Catherine Fieschi, Fellow, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, Florence

• Dr Aaron Maniam, Fellow of Practice and Director, Digital Transformation Education, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford

Moderator: Professor Katherine Marshall, Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs

2. Plenary 1: Unpacking Multiculturalism

What do we mean by terms like multiculturalism, inclusion, and social cohesion? In this plenary, we explore the significant events and conditions that have enabled diverse communities to flourish.

Speakers:

• Prof Dr Nasaruddin Umar, Minister for Religious Affairs, Indonesia and Grand Imam of Istiqlal State Mosque

• Mr Ed Williams, President, International, Edelman

• Prof Colleen Ward, Professor of Psychology and Founder of the Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington

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

3. Plenary 2: Navigating Uncertainty

In an era of rapid change and increasing complexity, what emerging forces challenge our confidence in multiculturalism today? In this plenary, we explore the emerging faultlines that threaten to erode trust and confidence within societies.

Speakers:

• Mr Peter Ho, Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, Prime Minister’s Office Strategy Group and Former Head of Civil Service, Singapore

• Mr Ahmed Aboutaleb, former Mayor of Rotterdam City

• Mr Fadi Chehade, Founder of Ethos Capital and former CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

Moderator: Professor Kumar Ramakrishna, Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

4. Plenary 3: Forging Societal Resilience

What enables societies to maintain harmony and thrive amidst adversity? This session explores the structures, values, and practices that preserve resilience and support multicultural cohesion. We examine how different elements of society—including governments, businesses, and individuals— can champion multicultural values and strengthen societal resilience

Speakers:

• Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore

• Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Group

• Venerable Napan Thawornbanjob, Chair, Institute of Buddhist Management for Happiness and Peace and Secretary-General, Religions for Peace Thailand

Moderator: Professor Mona Siddiqui, Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, Assistant Principal Religion and Society, University of Edinburgh

5. Southeast Asia Social Cohesion Radar

This session showcases the findings from the 2^nd edition of the Southeast Asian Social Cohesion Radar. This is a follow-up to the first edition that was presented at ICCS 2022. The Southeast Asian Social Cohesion Radar explores the following research questions: What dimensions of social cohesion contribute most to cohesion and what elements of social cohesion do ASEAN states share?

Speakers:

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

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

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

Moderator: Mr Warren Fernandez, Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies