Social cohesion: Relevance for Sri Lanka

THE International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) held its third edition from 24 to 26 June 2025 in Singapore. This event gathered over 1,000 global thought leaders, policymakers, community practitioners and young leaders from more than 50 countries to exchange ideas and develop solutions for fostering cohesive and resilient multicultural societies.

- By Jeevan Thiagarajah

The ICCS, themed “Cohesive Societies, Resilient Futures”, is organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). The three-day conference aimed to promote discussions on multiculturalism and what it takes to achieve harmony in diversity in an increasingly divided world.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam gave the opening address at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies on 24 June (This is an abbreviated and edited extract from the transcript of the speech by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 24 June at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies).

What went wrong?

From extreme to mainstream. What is most worrying is how culture and identity have been injected into economic grievances, adding emotional virulence to the political debate.

A survey of eight countries across the Atlantic found that the single best way to know if people were likely to vote for a right-wing nationalist party was if they believed that minorities had better access to jobs than white people.

Radical right, exclusionary agendas are entering the mainstream. In many developing countries too, culture and religion have become a more prevalent feature of politics, along with a rise in anti-minority speech.

A visible shift lies in the more isolated way in which people are carrying out life, especially in some of the most digitally advanced countries. Studies show that they have become more likely to work, shop, eat takeaways, be entertained, and even worship at home. Young people are not hanging out as much with their friends, let alone going on dates.