Singapore Studies Workshop and book launch

Oct 21, 2004

A workshop entitled 'Handing over the reigns: Civil society under Lee Hsien Loong' will be held tomorrow (Friday October 22)at the University of Wollongong, bringing together academics and postgraduate students from across Australia with an interest in civil society in Singapore.

The workshop has been organised by UOW's Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS).

Prior to his recent appointment as Singapore's third Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong signalled a number of changes to the ways in which he would govern.

Participants in the workshop will examine these changes, as well as recent developments among non-government organisations and other civil society sectors. They will analyse the prospects for increasing liberalisation of the political sphere under PM Lee.

Different panels will address issues of civil society in 'new' Singapore, security and censorship and social issues and self-identity.Speakers will include PhD students and lecturers from a variety of Australian universities, including UOW's Director of CAPSTRANS, Dr Lenore Lyons.

Dr Lyons is currently working on a study of gender, the state and civil society in Singapore. She has been widely published on the women's movement in Singapore, and cross-cultural feminist methodology. Her presentation will discuss the intersection of citizenship and gender in Singapore.

"In November 2002, a group of Singaporean activists established a group called The Working Committee 2 (TWC2) to advocate for the rights of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) working in Singapore, " she said.

"TWC2's success in raising the profile of FDWs has brought about some significant improvements in the regulatory regime governing the conditions of maid employment."

Dr Lyons' latest book 'A State of Ambivalence: The Feminist Movement in Singapore' will be launched after the workshop (starting at 4.30pm in Bldg 19, Room 1047). The book will be launched by Dr Kathryn Robinson, Senior Fellow in the Department of Anthropology at the Australian National University.

When: Friday, October 22, 10am - 4pm

Where: Bdlg 19 (Arts) Room 1003

For further information contact: Lenore Lyons on 4221 4894

-RP

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128