Singapore Institute of International Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Singapore Institute of International Affairs is a non-government think tank based in Singapore. The Institute conducts research, hosts events, and plans conferences that deal with pressing issues in international affairs, with special focus on South East Asia. Founded in 1961, it is the oldest think tank in Singapore.
a more cosmopolitan and global society through research, policy work and public education on international affairs. It is a membership-based organization, and is Singapore’s oldest think tank.
The Institute's goal is to make international affairs more relevant to Singapore
, and to make Singapore more relevant in the realm of international affairs.
, a professor of law at the National University of Singapore, and former Chairman of Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA). The SIIA’s founders include Professor Tommy Koh
, Ambassador-at-Large. Prior to Tay, the SIIA was chaired by Dr Lau Teik Soon, former Member of Parliament who helped organize and implement the ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies network (ASEAN-ISIS), of which the SIIA is a founding member. In 2005, President S R Nathan became the SIIA’s first Honorary Member.
The SIIA is an independent organization, funded by foundations, membership subscriptions and corporate sponsorship. It receives no regular funding from the Singapore government.
The SIIA has produced numerous influential reports, conferences, and recommendations, such as the recommendation for the ASEAN Regional Forum, now known as the leading forum for multilateral dialogue in Asia regarding security concerns. Other initiatives include recommendations for an ASEAN economic community, dialogues for a growing regionalism
in East Asia
, and an assembly for non-governmental organizations and community groups in ASEAN.
The SIIA also convenes an annual Asia Pacific Roundtable, held in Malaysia, as well as conferences, symposium and dialogues pertaining to timely, challenging issues.
, as well as extensive work looking at US-Asia relations. The SIIA also does work concerning the environment, climate change
, and energy issues, and is in the process of organizing a conference that deal with energy security and nuclear energy in August. The Institute has done some work on anti-corruption measures, as well as transparency in government, and continues to support efforts to increase regional and global dialogues on pressing issues.
in South East Asia. Its purpose is to encourage cooperation, coordination, and engagement among stakeholders and policymakers, as well as scholars and analysts in ASEAN, to work toward the sustained security and stability of South East Asia.
Recent speakers include:
Secretary William Cohen
, Co-Chairman of the CSIS US ASEAN Strategy Commission
Dr. Kurt Campbell
, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
H.E. Abdulaziz Aladwani, Ambassador, The Embassy of the State of Kuwait
Overview
The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) is a non-government organization (NGO) dedicated to the research, analysis and discussion of regional and international issues.Mission
The institute aims to make SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
a more cosmopolitan and global society through research, policy work and public education on international affairs. It is a membership-based organization, and is Singapore’s oldest think tank.
The Institute's goal is to make international affairs more relevant to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, and to make Singapore more relevant in the realm of international affairs.
Background
The current Chairman of the SIIA is Professor Simon TaySimon Tay
Simon Tay , is a Singaporean professor, author, and former nominated member of Parliament.-Career:...
, a professor of law at the National University of Singapore, and former Chairman of Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA). The SIIA’s founders include Professor Tommy Koh
Tommy Koh
Tommy Koh was born in Singapore on 12 November 1937. He is an international lawyer, professor and Ambassador-At-Large for the Government of Singapore...
, Ambassador-at-Large. Prior to Tay, the SIIA was chaired by Dr Lau Teik Soon, former Member of Parliament who helped organize and implement the ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies network (ASEAN-ISIS), of which the SIIA is a founding member. In 2005, President S R Nathan became the SIIA’s first Honorary Member.
The SIIA is an independent organization, funded by foundations, membership subscriptions and corporate sponsorship. It receives no regular funding from the Singapore government.
Research
The SIIA's conducts research for the benefit of its members by working with experts across the spectrum of society, from public officials to academics to businessmen. The goal is to provide insight into a variety of perspectives that span different countries, industries, and interests.The SIIA has produced numerous influential reports, conferences, and recommendations, such as the recommendation for the ASEAN Regional Forum, now known as the leading forum for multilateral dialogue in Asia regarding security concerns. Other initiatives include recommendations for an ASEAN economic community, dialogues for a growing regionalism
Regionalism
In politics, regionalism is a political ideology that focuses on the interests of a particular region or group of regions, whether traditional or formal...
in East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
, and an assembly for non-governmental organizations and community groups in ASEAN.
The SIIA also convenes an annual Asia Pacific Roundtable, held in Malaysia, as well as conferences, symposium and dialogues pertaining to timely, challenging issues.
Research Foci
Current subjects for research include ASEAN, and RegionalismRegionalism
In politics, regionalism is a political ideology that focuses on the interests of a particular region or group of regions, whether traditional or formal...
, as well as extensive work looking at US-Asia relations. The SIIA also does work concerning the environment, climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
, and energy issues, and is in the process of organizing a conference that deal with energy security and nuclear energy in August. The Institute has done some work on anti-corruption measures, as well as transparency in government, and continues to support efforts to increase regional and global dialogues on pressing issues.
ASEAN-ISIS
SIIA was instrumental in the founding of the ASEAN Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ASEAN-ISIS) in Bali in September 1988. The association is the preeminent vehicle for Track II diplomacyTrack II diplomacy
Track II diplomacy is a specific kind of informal diplomacy, in which non-officials engage in dialogue, with the aim of conflict resolution, or confidence-building...
in South East Asia. Its purpose is to encourage cooperation, coordination, and engagement among stakeholders and policymakers, as well as scholars and analysts in ASEAN, to work toward the sustained security and stability of South East Asia.
Events
The SIIA holds conferences, events, and conversations with leading members of both the public and private sector relevant to Singapore and South East Asia.Recent speakers include:
Secretary William Cohen
William Cohen
William Sebastian Cohen is an author and American politician from the U.S. state of Maine. A Republican, Cohen served as Secretary of Defense under Democratic President Bill Clinton.-Early life and education:...
, Co-Chairman of the CSIS US ASEAN Strategy Commission
Dr. Kurt Campbell
Kurt Campbell
Kurt Campbell is a professional American and Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers in 2005. He played college football at Albany....
, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
H.E. Abdulaziz Aladwani, Ambassador, The Embassy of the State of Kuwait