International relations have seen several points of crisis in the 2020s. The decade began with escalating tensions between the US and China, which was soon followed by Russia’s encroachment into Ukraine and most recently, the conflict in the Gaza strip.

This was the crux of the discussions at the second iteration of the Singapore Foreign Policy dialogue organised by the Political Science Society of NUS (PSSOC), in conjunction with the NUS Political Science Department. Held at LT8 in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), over 300 participants from post-secondary institutions convened to learn about the nuances and intricacies of Singapore’s foreign policy from Mr Bilahari Kausikan, Chairman of the Middle East Institute at NUS, and former Ambassador-At-Large and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The session, chaired and moderated by Associate Professor Bilveer Singh, Deputy Head of the NUS Political Science Department was valuable in raising awareness and understanding about Singapore’s foreign policies and how it considers its position in relation and response to ongoing political crises. It also provided participants with invaluable insights into the climate of contemporary international relations and Singapore’s position in the global arena.

Overall, the dialogue achieved its intended purpose of shedding light on Singapore’s position on the latest developments in foreign affairs. It allowed for a deeper understanding of the history and complexities of ongoing political crises like the Russia-Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas wars, as well as many factors that influence our views and responses to such situations.

The session also reaffirmed the importance of preserving social cohesion in Singapore and reiterated a principled stance on opposing terrorism and preventing the deepening of social rifts.

Over 300 participants from post-secondary institutions gathered to discuss several key events in contemporary international relations.

Participants benefited immensely from the open discussions, gathering a plethora of information and unique viewpoints about Singapore’s foreign policy and beyond. The event was also a testament to the growing political awareness of today’s youth, evident in their active participation over the course of the dialogue.

The Organising Committee of Singapore Foreign Policy Dialogue II extends its gratitude to the NUS Political Science Department and the FASS Strategic Communications Team for their valued support towards the event’s success. PSSOC also thanks all participants who graced the dialogue with their presence and intends to continue engaging students with similar events in the near future.

This article was written by the Political Science Society of NUS (PSSOC). As Chatham House Rules were invoked and observed throughout the event, the organisers are unable to share in detail the discussion points covered during the dialogue.