Religion, Politics & Culture: Buddhism and its Impact on Society and the Environmental Movement

As we join our Buddhists friends to commemorate Vesak Day, let us recall how religion still plays a significant role in shaping our cultural identity, political response and approach to social activism around the world.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lodro-rinzler/buddhism-and-activism-how_b_804162.html

http://newlotus.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/31783

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/desilva/attitude.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/world/asia/extremism-rises-among-myanmar-buddhists-wary-of-muslim-minority.html?_r=0

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/asia-pacific/486625-dalai-lama-urges-suu-kyi-to-defend-rohingyas.html

http://www.ibtimes.com/why-nobel-laureate-aung-san-suu-kyi-unlikely-heed-dalai-lamas-pleas-help-rohingya-1942838

Like all established religions, the Buddhist faith has also been   (mis)appropriated for various political movements around the world. Political violence and intolerance is one. The case in Myanmar is rather unfortunate. In human history, religion has often been used as a convenient tool to generate political rhetoric and violence on different communities. Recall important case studies you may know within the Christian, Hindu and Muslim faith where the issues and the role of religion in public life continue to generate rich and meaningful  debates between policy-makers and scholars in our region and communities.

Sports, Ethics and Politics: More on the FIFA Corruption Scandal

Easily, the most beautiful game in the world and how it breaches the norms of transparency & accountability in corporate governance...

Even world powers are not afraid to wade into deeper waters as investigations deepen or are there vested interests at work? The fourth article provides an intriguing look into the covert world of international sports where the power struggles for legitimacy, control and influence are often hidden from public view.

https://verdict.justia.com/2011/11/08/stopping-bribery-in-international-sports

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32889845

http://www.voanews.com/content/swiss-police-arrest-fifa-officials-in-us-corruption-case/2792114.html

http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-babylon/.premium-1.658660

The Changing Face of Politics in Singapore

A fairly comprehensive take on the evolution in Singapore's political culture.
Where would your generation fit in?

https://www.cscollege.gov.sg/Knowledge/Ethos/Issue%2011%20August%202012/Pages/Public%20Engagement%20The%20Gap%20between%20Rhetoric%20and%20Practice.aspx

Global Issues: A-Z (well, almost)

Some of you may already be familiar with this website. It contains rich case studies, provocative findings and authoritative concepts to enlighten and inspire further reading on topics that interest you.

Well corroborated and topics as quoted, are 'inter-related', which is one of the best intellectual attributes students ought to possess by the time they graduate from college.

The ones keen on doing political science in uni will find a good companion here.


http://www.globalissues.org/issue/104/iraq-crisis

Social Issues, Politics and the New Media: Tools used to shape Public Opinion

Key Trends in Social Media: Impact and Influence
http://www.businessesgrow.com/2011/04/04/five-mega-trends-how-social-media-is-transforming-government/

https://agenda.weforum.org/2015/03/5-social-media-trends-that-are-changing-asia/

Regulating the Internet in Singapore:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/06/regulating-singapores-internet

How Social Factors affect Big Businesses:
http://pestleanalysis.com/social-factors-affecting-business/

Social Issues & Trends@SG: From Buildings to Gardens, Wildlife and Food

Students struggle to rise beyond anecdotal observations whenever they attempt to evaluate ideas with local perspectives in mind or AQ or Singapore-based questions in Paper 1. It's quite sad and ironic that we can't even talk about our own society properly, let alone compare it with others in mind.

This is an updated version of an earlier resource uploaded on Discovery.
Try to know 'something' of everything. Pick your favourite site and focus on 3-4 good ideas and examples in each.

Thing is, you never know. With SG 50 around the corner and the fact that the paper was set 2 years ago, any theme may be featured. The objective is not so much to test. Your markers in England are looking forward to hearing well-substantiated perspectives about your life and experience here.

You deserve to be heard and rewarded-

Educational Trends

·       http://www.oecd.org/countries/singapore/46581101.pdf

·       http://www.singapolitics.sg/views/defence-singapore-education-system

 Socio-Economic Health & Trends (Sports, Politics, Social Advocacy, Youth Culture)

·       http://popspoken.com/issues/2015/03/heres-kuik-shiao-yins-rousing-speech-parliament-youth-inclusivity

 ·       https://www.sggives.org/CheckAccess.aspx?url=/imagerepository/01_top_menu/news/2.%20issues%20faced%20by%20the%20singapore%20community.pdf

·       http://www.nvpc.org.sg/Portals/0/Documents/Knowledge/Social%20Health%20Project/SSHP%20Report.pdf

·       http://www.guidemesingapore.com/relocation/introduction/quality-of-life-in-singapore

·       https://www.cscollege.gov.sg/knowledge/ethos/issue%203%20oct%202007/pages/Rethinking%20a%20New%20Social%20Compact%20for%20Singapore.aspx

·       https://www.redsports.sg/2015/01/22/10-worrying-trends-singapore-sports-culture-dr-ben-tan-parliament-speech/

Trends related to Conserving Heritage (Food, Architecture, Public Spaces), the Past, Sustainability, Animal Welfare  and Environmental Protection

·       http://www.greenfuture.sg/2014/06/08/3-scenarios-for-a-future-sustainable-singapore/

·       http://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/singapore/monuments.html

·       http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/holes-heritage-conservation-wall

·       http://www.bukitbrown.org/2014/06/what-future-for-our-past.html

·       http://www.bukitbrown.org/2014/03/growth-v-greenery-where-will-singapores.html

·       http://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.sg/2013/04/world-heritage-site.html

·       http://features.insing.com/feature/commentary-the-uncertain-future-of-singapore-s-hawkers/id-972f3101/

·       http://www.asianurbanlab.org/hawker-centres-sitingsighting-singapores-food-heritage/

·       http://www.concern.sg/AnimalWelfare

 Trends in Civil Society

http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/strengthening-civil-society-singapore

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-government-controls-civil-society-too-much--activists-073524601.html

Social Issues: Key Challenges for Singapore today

Minister Heng's speech features important facts and key concepts on challenges confronting Singapore today. Interestingly, similar concepts from global issues pack and social issues are used to qualify some of his observations here.

This is a bird's eye view on global trends that may affect Singapore's growth strategy and social compact.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2013/08/06/the-singapore-economy-confronting-challenges-anew.php