The International Conference of Cohesive Societies 2022

Rev Dr Edmund Fong had the privilege of speaking at one of the breakout sessions at the International Conference of Cohesive Societies 2022 “Confident Identities, Connected Communities” held over 6–8 September 2022. The conference consisted of a community dialogue, an opening address by President Halimah Yacob, a special presentation covering perspectives on social cohesion, a conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, three plenary sessions, nine breakout sessions along the sub-themes of faith, identity and cohesion, late afternoon community explorations for the international delegates and the young leaders participants, and a closing address by Minister Edwin Tong. Rev Edmund spoke at the third breakout session on the 8 Sep on the sub-theme of “Faith Overcoming Covid-19 Pandemic” together with Dr Mohammad Hannan Hassan (Deputy Mufti, MUIS) with the session moderated by Master Chung Kwang Tong.

Rev Edmund recapped how the Christian community in Singapore partnered with the government authorities to provide safe sleeping places for rough sleepers and care for many of the migrant workers in the early days of the pandemic. He also shared how many churches had to adapt and harness technology to keep worship services and ministries running during the periods when members were not able to congregate. Finally, Rev Edmund shared five possible church models that we could move forward post-pandemic.