Singapore is an immigrant society. Our forefathers descended on this island to seek a better future for themselves and their children. We have come a long way since the founding of this city-state. Notwithstanding our heritage and shared aspirations, the divide between those who are considered “native” and those who are recognised as “newly arrived” has not vanished, even with time. 

Today, both foreign and local-born residents have an ingrained stereotype of “the other”, as each assumes that the lifestyles and rituals of the opposite group are vastly different from their own.  This is a false dichotomy.

Whether you are a naturalised resident or born as a native Singaporean, we face many common challenges and celebrate shared milestones. We experience similar day-to-day journeys of both joyous and distressing encounters, be that as parents, colleagues, neighbours, or as simply fellow Singaporeans dining at hawker centre.  

In this website, we want to explore how native Singaporeans and immigrants alike can build stronger connections and empathy with each other, regardless of their differences in backgrounds. 

Through SG Shared Experience, we will explore a myriad of topics and issues surrounding national identity, culture, and ultimately, shared experiences. Collectively, these stories not only highlight the common triumphs and struggles that are familiar to us but they also remind us of how everyone, regardless of nationality, traverses the same path in Singapore.  

新加坡是一个移民社会。 我们的祖辈选择在这个小岛上落脚，为下一代建设更美好的家园。然而，尽管时间沉淀了文化与记忆，我们所希望传承的文化遗产与共同志向，仍未完全实现——“土生土长的新加坡人”与“外来者”之间的隔阂并未消失。 

时至今日，本地人与移民之间仍存在着根深蒂固的偏见。即使生活在同一片土地上，彼此往往先入为主地认为对方的生活习性与自己天差地别。这其实是一种误解，更是一种错误的二元对立。

无论你是土生土长的新加坡人，还是新近落户的移民，我们都面对着相似的挑战，也一同庆祝着属于这片土地的每一个里程碑。我们同为家长、同事、邻居，或是小贩中心的食客——小岛上的欢乐、温馨与压力，我们都一同经历，共同体会。

《狮城共历》立志于成为本地人与移民之间的沟通桥梁，加深彼此的了解，打破偏见，建立信任与同理心。无论背景如何，我们都将在这里共同探索狮城生活——让多元成为纽带，让共融成为力量。

在《狮城共历》这个平台中，我们将围绕国家认同与社会文化，探索各类新加坡居民的共同经历。 这些故事不仅突出我们熟悉的集体成就与挣扎，也提醒我们：无论国籍，在坡岛上，我们都是彼此的同行者。

梁振雄博士，国民融合理事会成员。

Leong Chan-Hoong, PhD

Council Member, National Integration Council

欲了解更多关于国家融合理事会网站的信息，请访问：https://www.mccy.gov.sg/sectors/resilience-and-engagement/national-integration-council 。如有任何疑问，请随时联系 NIC_Secretariat@mccy.gov.sg 

For more information on the National Integration Council Website: https://www.mccy.gov.sg/sectors/resilience-and-engagement/national-integration-council   Please feel free to contact  NIC_Secretariat@mccy.gov.sg  for any further clarifications.