South Asia Diaspora Convention returns to Singapore

Published on Authored by Lakshmy Iyer

The 4th South Asian Diaspora Convention (SADC) returns to Singapore from 15-17 November 2019  as Singapore seeks to identify growth opportunities through innovation. Themed Vibrant South Asia – Innovative Diaspora it expects more than 800 distinguished guests and more than 30 of the region’s leading policymakers, business leaders, academics and civil society leaders as speakers. 

The South Asian Diaspora Convention (SADC) started by Singapore's longest-serving President the late S R Nathan – to promote and develop relationships between Singapore to Southeast Asia,  South East Asia to South Asia and beyond – has had 3 successful runs in previous years. 

Hosted by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), Singapore’s Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Teo Chee Hean, will deliver the keynote address on Saturday, 16 November, followed by an interactive session with participants. Photo Courtesy ISAS
Hosted by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), Singapore’s Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Teo Chee Hean, will deliver the keynote address on Saturday, 16 November, followed by an interactive session with participants. Photo Courtesy ISAS

Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS)was established in July 2004 as an autonomous research institute  at the National University of Singapore. 

Ambassador Gopinath Pillai. Chairman of ISAS, spoke of the increasing economic and political importance of South Asia, and the strong historical links between South Asia and Southeast Asia at the media briefing.
Ambassador Gopinath Pillai. Chairman of ISAS, spoke of the increasing economic and political importance of South Asia, and the strong historical links between South Asia and Southeast Asia at the media briefing. Photo: Connected to India

At the welcome gala dinner on Friday, 15 November the  Outstanding Member of the South Asian Diaspora (OMSAD) award will honour a distinguished member of the South Asian Diaspora. Launched in 2013, past award recipients include Mr Murli Kewalram Chanrai (2013) and late former Singapore President, Mr S R Nathan (2016).  

A Special Lifetime Achievement Award – recognising an individual for his or her significant contributions in his or her field of profession – will also be introduced.  

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Singapore, will be Guest-of-Honour and present these two awards at the gala dinner. Photo Courtesy: ISAS
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Singapore, will be Guest-of-Honour and present these two awards at the gala dinner. Photo Courtesy: ISAS

Saturday, 16 November  will be a full-day convention with seven sessions covering various geopolitical and economic topics pertaining to South Asia and its diaspora including: 

  • Business in South Asia: Opportunities and Challenges 
  • Infrastructure and Smart Cities 
Mr Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance will deliver his keynote speech and participate in an interactive session for the plenary on Infrastructure and Smart Cities. Photo Courtesy: ISAS
Mr Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance will deliver his keynote speech and participate in an interactive session for the plenary on Infrastructure and Smart Cities. Photo Courtesy: ISAS
  • Innovation, Start-ups and Youth 
  • Women Empowerment in South Asia 
Ms Indranee Rajah, Singapore’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Education, will deliver her keynote address for this session. This inaugural session on women empowerment brings together several female political leaders and change makers in South Asia. Photo Courtesy: ISAS
Ms Indranee Rajah, Singapore’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Education, will deliver her keynote address for this session. This inaugural session on women empowerment brings together several female political leaders and change makers in South Asia. Photo Courtesy: ISAS
  • South Asian Diaspora: A Strategic Asset? 
  • Technology in Financial Services 
  • Trends in Education Technology

The finale on 17th Nov will be a cricket match with celebrity cricketers from the region and an in-conversation with cricketing legends from India. It is the first time in Singapore  that so many international cricket players will be seen at one go in a friendly match, ISAS Director Professor C Raja Mohan remarked.

ISAS has lined up an exciting cricket match on Sunday, 17 November with corporate teams and South Asian cricket celebrities from India, followed by the finale, an in-conversation session with Indian cricket legends Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.
ISAS has lined up an exciting cricket match on Sunday, 17 November with corporate teams and South Asian cricket celebrities from India, followed by the finale, an in-conversation session with Indian cricket legends Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.

 For details and to register please visit www.southasiandiaspora.org