Report Card

THINK CENTRE

Established July 1999

INTRODUCTION
THINK CENTRE is presently registered as an events and publishing company with the registrar of business as a sole-proprietorship. It modelled as a dot com research centre that operates out of cyberspace through a registered address at a business centre in Shenton Way. It focuses mainly on political issues and addresses concerns surrounding political reform.

A business registration was undertaken to by-pass the restriction placed by the registrar of societies on political discussion groups such as Socratic Circle and Roundtable from organising public events. Political discussion groups are only allowed to organise activities for their members. Recently, adjustments have been made to allow for name-only invitation activities. Presently, under the specifications of the Public Entertainments Act any individual/s or businesses can apply for a licence for public events that do not contravene the law. The contradiction lies in that some societies continue to be restricted under the Societies Act from organising public events even though such events do not contravene the law.

Up to date political society has largely been held in rhetoric and in some writings as being strictly being the purview of political parties. This in part can be understood from the position of the PAP government and legislation they supported under the Societies Act to direct all political discussion and activity into opposition parties.

When space was recognised for citizenship participation in political matters, political discussion groups were eventually allowed registration. These groups are presently embraced under the umbrella of civil society. Now, the ability to organise political forums and other events and publish related items as individuals or businesses have continued to challenge the conservative definition of political society and politics within civil society. The development of independent human rights, media watch and electoral monitoring groups will add to this challenge.

In reality, the application of laws as laid down in the constitution clearly point to the falseness in defining politics and political society so narrowly as in the past. Political expression, action and organisation is open to all. In this regard, political society encompasses elements in civil society, academia, intellegensia, opposition parties, elements within government, businesses and individuals that are involved in developing processes for a representative political system. An acceptance of a broader definition of political society in Singapore, however, would require continued public education.

But do expect the ruling party to respond with equally innovative meachanisms to keep its grip on the political process. The control will lie in preventing or making it extremely difficult for individuals or network of groups outside of the political party conduit to contest electorally.

PUBLIC FORUMS
A total of four have been organised to date. An average of 70 participants registered online for the first three sessions. The latest forum on human rights attracted a record 150 people. There is a high turner over with more new participants attending each talk. Participants are broadly English speaking professionals, office workers, university and junior college students and retirees. There is a small sprinkling of journalists, diplomats and research students who audit the talks.

Every Singaporean Matters: Forum on Human Rights, 10 March 2000, Think Centre, RELC, 30 Orange Grove Road, Singapore.

Speakers:
Samydorai Sinapan - Project Co-ordinator, Asian Human Rights Commission
Khoo Heng Keow - President, AWARE
Chee Soon Juan - Secretary-General, Singapore Democratic Party
Val Winslow - Member, Roundtable

Non-Partisanship: Politics Without Punishment, 28 January 2000, Think Centre, RELC, 30 Orange Grove Road, Singapore.

Speakers :
Chia Shi Teck - CEO Heshe Holding and former NMP
Goh Chong Chia - NMP
Elanor Wong - lawyer and playwright
Zulkifli Baharudin - Vice-President, Roundtable and NMP

Active Citizenship and Political Participation, 23 November 1999, Think Centre, RELC, 30 Orange Grove Road, Singapore.

Speakers :
Viswa Sadasivan - Chairman, Feedback Unit, Ministry of Community Development (Political Matters/International Relations)
Low Thia Khiang - Asst. secretary-general, Worker's Party
Kevin Tan - President, Roundtable

From Student Politics to Real Politics: Youth, Politics, and Civil Society, 1 October 1999, Think Centre, RELC, 30 Orange Grove Road, Singapore.

Speakers :
Daniel Chew - Chairman, Socratic Circle (former NTU Student Union President)
Steve Chia - Asst. secretary-general, National Solidarity Party (former NUS Student Union President)
Yaw Shin Leong - recently graduated (former Democratic Socialist Club President, NUS)
James Gomez - Member, Roundtable (former NUS Student Union President)

WEBSITE - www.thinkcentre.org
A website was launched at the same time as the forum series (mid September 1999) using a free web hosting service. It essentially acted as an online registration url. In January 2000 the website was re-designed to present colourful pictures, reports on the forums, speeches by speakers, long features and other investigative reports. A small pool of regular contributors is being build up to provide new and constantly updated original content. The site is developing website links to other civil society organisations locally and abroad. In the first three months of year 2000 the site chalked up over 7000 hits.

To harness the potential of the website and to experiment with online video and audio a domain name was purchased, www.thinkcentre.org and was launched at Borders on the 3rd, March 2000 - World Press Freedom Day. Presently we are conducting a national leafleting campaign to promote the website and conducting tests and making some adjustments to the web design.

There is also mail list service with over 1500 address whose numbers are growing. It makes for fast and instantaneous dissemination of breaking news and announcements.

PEOPLE AND GROUPS WE HAVE WORKED WITH
SOCRATIC CIRCLE - Main partner for the organisation of mutually agreed forums
ROUNDTABLE - Attendance at all forums to date as speakers on their individual capacity
SG DAILY, SINTERCOM - Redirection of selected articles by/on Think Centre on a request basis

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT
Initiated a Human Rights Study Group to look into the feasibility of establishing a Human Rights Commission or its equivalent in Singapore. We have conducted one focused group discussion and presently are putting a proposal together for an action plan. Looking into the possibility of convening a human rights working group to join the ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism. A regional meeting has been proposed in Singapore on the 10th December 2000 in conjunction with Human Rights Day.

PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS ACT - WHITE PAPER
Background research on the public entertainments act has been completed. Presently the report is being written and circulated for comments. Will be published online and be circulated to relevant authorities and interested individuals and groups.

SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA DIALOGUE
A collection of NGOs have approached Think Centre to explore opportunities to initiate a dialogue between different groups in both countries for joint learning and mutual co-operation. Presently, discussions are at the e-mail stage.

REGIONAL PROJECTS
Contributing a section on Singapore in the regional study undertaken by the South Asia Press Alliance and the Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism. Currently the research is work-in-progress.

PRESS COVERAGE
Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and New Paper have at various times reported on the centre's public forums but inconsistent. Life section also carries announcements on the day of the forums. Regional media have also made some brief mention.

FUNDING
Events are charged at the door and the hat is passed around for voluntary contributions. Presently working out a funding proposal to seek monies on a competitive basis.

THE PEOPLE
A network of over twenty people from a cross-section of society contribute towards the organisation of the activities and dissemination of information on a project to project basis. Number of interested people is growing. Plans to consider registering either as society or as a company limited by guarantee. Presently in consultation with lawyers.

OUTLOOK: BRIGHT
Given the success of the events, projects and the interest shown by a broad array of people, the prospect for continued growth look bright. This growth will be matched by exploring diversification into different political isssues, exploring new events and new methods of delivery.

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