Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore is a popular venue to experience Italian culture By Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.asia


http://www.thediplomaticsociety.asia

Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore is a popular venue to experience Italian culture

By Srimal Fernando, Global Editor
Italy is a country with a wealth of historical and cultural heritage that astonishes the world. The country combines art, history and contemporary fashion with stunning natural landscape. This overwhelming diversity makes the cultural scene of Italy very fascinating. Unparalleled in its diversity, the country offers delights ranging from fine wines and exceptional cuisine to high art and great historical remnants. It reflects the spirit of enlightenment and elegance, existed among its people. Italy produced some of the greatest painters, sculptors, poets, musicians and architects in history. The country’s culture has a rich history that includes art, architecture, popular traditions and customs. The people of Italy are warm, welcoming and enjoy sharing the pleasures of life with others.
Ms Veronica Manson, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore with students 
The Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore located at the Ever shin and Century complex facing Beach Road provides a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for a wide range of social and cultural activities and remains a popular venue for several cultural events, concerts, seminars, film screenings and festivals, performances, cooking classes and thematic events to promote Italian culture and strengthen the cultural ties between Singapore and Italy.
The Cultural Institute in Singapore is one of the ninety Italian Cultural Institutes located globally. The two centers in Jakarta and Singapore are the only two Italian Cultural Institutes located in South East Asia. The CELI and CILS Italian language Certificate courses are taught by native speakers with extensive experience in teaching Italian as a second language. These certificate courses are accredited by Università per Stranieri di Perugia as well as Università per Stranieri di Siena. Approximately 10,000 Singaporean students took Italian languages at the Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore in the past 15 years aimed towards developing the Italian language.
Ms Veronica Manson is a highly dedicated, well-spoken and experienced Director who runs the affairs with her efficient team at the Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore. Ms Manson, a Law Graduate from the University of Milan brings a wealth of experience to the job of Director of the Cultural Institute in Singapore.
In an exclusive interview with Foreign Exchange Global Editor the Director Ms Veronica Manson said “Singapore is a multi-cultural fast phased society. Students over here learn Italian for the passion and love the language and Italian culture.”
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Every year over 40 cultural events are organized by the Center and hosts a series of cultural, seasonal and special events, operas and art exhibitions.

Alberto Cristini

First Swim Painting Performance in Singapore by Alberto Cristini on 24th August  in collaboration with ONE° 15 Marina Club was one of the most recent events  organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore.

Brian E Werner, General Manager of ONE Degree 15 Marina Club in Singapore, Veronica Manson, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore and Alberto Cristini


In Celebration of the 200th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata based on the novel by Alexander Dumas, casting Nancy Yuen as Violetta Valery and Kota Murakami as Alfredo Germont and directed by Stephen Barlow in collaboration with Singapore Lyric Opera Orchestra and Mezzotono - Italian Vocal Orchestra calling themselves Ambassadors of Italian music, were the renowned international events organized by The Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore. The Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore is a place that promotes creative dialogue about Italian culture and arts in Singapore.



Monday, September 16, 2013

Singapore the Garden City with a proud heritage By Srimal Fernando I Daily Mirror

Daily Mirror MONDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2013 (Impulse Page 2 ) 01:16
http://epaper.dailymirror.lk/epaper/viewer.aspx

Singapore the Garden City with a proud heritage
By Srimal Fernando

Singapore is one of the perfect tourist destinations that touch once soul like no other country. This great nation lives truly up to the title “Singapura” meaning "Lion city". “Onward Singapore” orMajulah Singapura” composed by Zubair Said in 1958 is the inspirational noteworthy national anthem of the beloved countrymen .The country with a proud heritage of a rich and living culture is the fastest growing wealth center in the world


 

. Through urban planning model Singapore has transformed from a city crowded with buildings to a clean eco- friendly City in a Garden. Unlike any other country in the world Singapore with 5.1 million people is an outstanding example of 63 islands. Singaporean independence campaigner Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore was the towering figure widely credited with molding the island nation into one of Asia’s wealthiest countries. The culture and the arts of Singapore passed through several stages during its history. The British and Japanese, occupation of Singapore saw a new era of political, cultural and religious landscape of Singapore until the country gained Independence on 9 August 1965 from Malaysia. Each of the colonial rulers who ruled Singapore left their imprint on the current inhabitants of the country.  Singaporeans were so practical  in their approach to the art of building  high rise towers .Country has theaters  and cinemas  and is a fashionable place . The city possesses an enormous cultural richness with uncountable attractions to see and offers an unmatched experience to the travelers.The Merlion a mythical creature with a head of a lion and a body of a fish   is used as the mascot .It is one of the highest-esteemed attractions in the country. The innovative multi storey SkyPark Marina Bay Sands features three 55-story hotel towers is the  greatest engineering achievements that unhesitatingly leap into the future. There is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Singapore. The  Sentosa Island  resorts ,Seloso beach ,Universal Studio , Underwater World ,Oceanarium, attract thousands  of visitors daily. The seven storied Pagoda Twins  located at Chinese  garden, Singapore Flyer , the world largest Jurong Bird park with nearly 5000 birds , Singapore National Museum, Little India and China Town are the other  exotic places- to experience the unforgettable  experience to enjoy the charm of the county.

The  Singapore Botanical Gardens  and Lake side areas also offers  tourist to enjoy the riverside beauty. Apart from that tourist can see, that Singapore is also gifted with some of the world famous educational institutions. The most well-known of all are the National University of Singapore  and the Nanyang  Technological University .These universities had played a pioneering  role in the development of the modern education system in the country. Changi Airport with several terminals is one of the world's leading and busiest Airports.  It  is a major stop over point for over 100international airlines . Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier and the  largest airline of Singapore that operates daily flights from the airport . Convenient Singapore Metro (SMRT) is a modern public transportation system network consisting of many lines with more than 100 stations provides various fast links between the Eastern   and Western parts of Singapore. Film Industry in Singapore  during the past decade , has seen the production of internationally recognized movies and the rise of actors, actresses and writers. Singapore Dreaming  by Woo Yen  Yen and Colin Goh, won the Montblanc New Screenwriters Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in 2006.The people of the Singapore are known for their love for theatre, films, music and dances. This over whelming diversity makes the cultural scene of the country very fascinating. This world famous vibrant country offers the explorer a myriad of opportunities in cultures, festivals and in foods.


 Source  Daily Mirror MONDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2013 (Impulse Page 2 ) 01:16
http://epaper.dailymirror.lk/epaper/viewer.aspx


 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Romesh Gunesekera an inspirational veteran author from Asia By Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.asia



Romesh Gunesekera an inspirational veteran author from Asia
By Srimal Fernando

Romesh Gunesekera world renowned author and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature has published his most recent book The Prisoner of Paradise in 2012. He was the winner of the inaugural BBC Asia Award, for The Sandglass in 1998. Gunesekera grew up in Sri Lanka and in Philippines and continued to write essays and publish books from a young age. 
Gunesekera now lives in London and is an expert veteran writer who contributes enormously to literature.  His widely acclaimed first novel, Reef, was published in 1994 and was short-listed as a finalist for the Booker Prize.
Todd McEwan on the book review for Glasgow Herald on Gunesekera’s publication “The Prisoner of Paradise” remarked
 “Seriously and movingly, The Prisoner of Paradise contains a very modern message: a plea for the book. It has as much to say about writing as it has about love and colonial misery”
His various works have become very familiar and have won many of the world's top literary prizes, including the prestigious Italian literary prize the Premio Mondello Five Continents Asia Prize for Reef in1997, Winner of Yorkshire Post First Work Prize (Reef) in 1995, the Commonwealth Writer’s Regional Prize for Heaven’s Edge and the New York Times Notable Book of the Year for Monkfish Moon in 2003.
He has attended readings, workshops, several literary events and forums in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. Confluences International Book Fair, Mauritius, Jaipur Literary Festival, India, Lauderdale House, London: Asian Literary Review Poetry Evening, Asia House Literary Festival, London are some of major event that he participated in in recent years . His summer workshop in Greece in 2008 was listed as a top ten activity destination in the Sunday Times.
In addition to his writing he is a distinguished judge for a number of literary prizes including the Caine Prize for African Writing, the David Cohen Literature Prize, the Forward Prize for Poetry and most recently the Granta 2013 list of the Best of Young British Novelists. He has been a Guest Director at the Cheltenham Festival, Associate Tutor at Goldsmiths College and he on the Board of the Arvon Foundation for writing.
Gunesekera is a veteran author with long career and will be a source of inspiration for many young writers.
 Source : http://www.thediplomaticsociety.asia/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=643:romesh-gunesekera-an-inspirational-veteran-author-from-asia&catid=16:home&Itemid=25
 

Singapore: Clean eco friendly commercial centre in Asia By Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.asia



http://www.thediplomaticsociety.asia

Singapore:  Clean eco friendly commercial centre in Asia

By Srimal Fernando

Singapore is the fastest growing wealth center in the world with a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship and is one of Asia's major financial hubs. Over the past several decades, the export-driven economy of the island-state of Singapore is doing wonderfully.  Unlike any other country in the world, Singapore, with 5.1 million people is an outstanding example of 63 islands and is one of the most vibrant and dynamic countries in East Asia. This great nation lives truly up to the title “Singapura” meaning "lion city". Centuries of leverage has shown that the strategic geographic position of Singapore was an important hub for ships sailing between far East, Middle East and the Pacific. Through urban planning, model Singapore has transformed from a city crowded with buildings to a clean eco friendly City in a Garden.
To understand the country it is important to review the history of this fascinating country. The British and Japanese occupation of Singapore saw a new era of political, cultural and religious landscape of Singapore until the country gained Independence on 9th August 1965 from Malaysia. “Majulah Singapura” (Onward Singapore) is the inspirational noteworthy national anthem of the beloved countrymen. Each of the colonial rulers who ruled Singapore left their imprint on the current inhabitants of the country. One of the towering figures of the country was the Singaporean independence campaigner Lee Kuan Yew. Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is known as the father of the nation. The best loved and famous political figure of the country made a great contribution as a representative of the people of Singapore.
The country’s economy remains strong as a result of public- private partnership that played a significant role in the economic stability of the country. Singapore has been the watershed in distribution of welfare and socio –economic development to the people of the country. People of Singapore play a leading role in the engine of prosperity of their country and has been fueled by pragmatism, hard work and a flood of individual enterprises. The Singapore Government implemented economic reforms, beginning in the 60s and took an active role in guiding the nation’s economic development. On the development side, the economic policy of the country was steered towards increasing the production.
Singapore is a strong tourist destination with large number of visitors to the country, climbing to 14.5 million in 2012. In 2010, tourism made a significant gain, experiencing a boom with about 11.6 million high-end foreign visitors coming to discover this beautiful country. The four- terminal Changi Airport is the most important aviation hub in the world.  This airport is a major stopover point for over 100 international airlines with a total annual handling capacity of more than 70 million passengers. The Changi Airport passenger traffic reached an historic 46.5 million passengers in 2011.  The airport serves as a base for Singapore Airlines, the flag carrier of the country and to several other airlines. The country's port is the world’s busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage. In 2011 the amount of cargo handled at the award winning PSA Singapore terminal rose to 29.37 millions TEUs. The well developed manufacturing sector is the cornerstone of economic development providing a platform for job creation and economic growth.
The 150 kilometer convenient Singapore Metro (SMRT) is a modern public transportation system network consisting of many lines with more than 100 stations and provides various fast links between the Eastern and Western parts of Singapore (Estimates 2012).
The Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and body of a fish used as a mascot is one of the highest-esteemed attractions in the country.
The innovative multi storey Sky Park Marina Bay Sands features three 55-story hotel towers are the greatest engineering achievements that unhesitatingly leap into the future. There is no end to the breathtaking sites visitors can see in Singapore. The Sentosa Island resorts, Universal Studio, Underwater World, Oceanarium, and the seven storied Pagoda Twins located at Chinese garden, Singapore Flyer, Little India and China Town attract thousands of visitors daily.
The Singapore Botanical Gardens and Lake- side area also offers the tourist river-side beauty. Singapore is gifted with world famous educational institutions. The most well-known of all are the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University. These universities played a pioneering role in the development of the modern education system in the city. The last four decades is already showing the results of its trade reforms and other liberalization measures taken. Today the country has transformed into a clean eco- friendly commercial centre in Asia.




Monday, September 9, 2013

Singapore based ICPVTR is an Innovative Centre for Excellence in Counter Terrorism Research By Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.asia

http://www.thediplomaticsociety.asia

Singapore based ICPVTR is an Innovative Centre for Excellence in Counter Terrorism Research
 

Prof. Rohan Gunaratna with Dr. Douglas Stone at the ICPVTR International Conference on Terrorist Rehab and Comm Engagement
By Srimal Fernando  
Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) is a world class research school for Security studies and International Affairs in the Asia- Pacific region.  The outstanding research School is located on the main campus at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. The RSIS was formally called the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS). The IDSS changed its name to S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in 2007. The International Studies School was named after Mr S. Rajaratnam, a Singaporean prominent leader who was the first Foreign Minister. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) promotes programs focused primarily on peace and security issues, specific research projects, as well as numerous studies related to international affairs.
Today the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) with a broad mission is actively involved in research, knowledge and innovation and is made up of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR),  the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), the Centre for Non –Traditional Security Studies (NTS), the Temasek Foundation Centre for Trade and Negotiations (TFCTN) and Centre for Multi-laterism and Studies (CMS).  
The Globally renowned think tank, the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research    (ICPVTR), has a worldwide reputation for counter- terrorism research and analysis .The International Centre  is one of the world's largest specialist centres  on the world's major events and hot-spot issues and on a wide range of Security and International issues. ICPVTR International Centre with a wealth of internationally-oriented programmes and several internationally distinguished research groups and units improves professional development of its partners and stakeholders through its capacity building programmes. The International Center (ICPVTR) is currently headed by Professor Rohan Gunaratna, a Senior Fellow both at Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy and at Jebsen Centre for Counter Terrorism Studies.  Professor Gunaratna, with 25 years of academic, field and policy experience in counter terrorism is a Singapore-based international terrorism expert who has  authored and edited twelve  books that includes international bestseller “Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror”.
ICPVTR delivers an academic experience second to none in the areas of foreign, security, integration, regional, inter-regional and international cooperation and in defense policies at both national and international level for political transition, security and stability. The core objective of the International centre is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of international, state, and societal responses in managing the threat of terrorism and political violence and to conduct sustained research and analysis of terrorist, guerilla, militia and extremist political groups and their support bases. The centre also advises governments and informs societies affected by terrorism and political violence on how best to manage the current and evolving threats.
International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research  (ICPVTR) celebrated 10 years of academic excellence last year which was founded in 2002.The International Center offers quality instructions and training for officials and future leaders engaged in combating terrorism and other forms of political violence. The ICPVTR hosted ASEAN Counter Terrorism Executive Programme, a high-powered annual meeting on March 2012.
The International centre attracts experts, partners and scholars from countries such as United States, United Kingdom, France, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The centre has strong establishment links with Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Boston, Hudson Institute, United States Military Academy West Point and Simon Wiesenthal Centre Untied States, International Policy Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT) of Israel, The Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention, University of Wollongong of Australia, School of Computer Engineering, NTU, Singapore and Accounting Research Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
 
The International centre’s online and print media includes catalogs, online articles, and a global Pathfinder database, Country Reports, Spot Reports, Publications and Commentaries. The monthly online    publication “Counter Terrorist Trends and Analysis”   (CTTA)   provide a deeper connection to the Centre’s activities. In addition the centre maintains and conducts educational and capacity-building programs in strategic counter-terrorism projects. International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research    (ICPVTR) is one of the most experienced think tank Center of excellence that represent significant expertise and best practices in the field of international combating terrorism and other forms of political violence worldwide.

South Africa and Singapore partnership continues to grow stronger By Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.asia

http://www.thediplomaticsociety.asia

South Africa and Singapore partnership continues to grow stronger


By Srimal Fernando
Global Editor
South Africa and Singapore enjoy strong and excellent bilateral relations, based on Commonwealth ties, and share friendly engagements on a number of issues. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. A number of high level visits have been exchanged between the two countries since then. The High Commission of South Africa in Singapore aims to broaden the relationship between South Africa and Singapore by encouraging and supporting contacts and increasing links between the  two countries at people-to-people level and with institutions.
H.E. H. F Ngubeni
H.E. H. F Ngubeni is the present High Commissioner of South Africa to Singapore. She strives to further deepen and widen the cooperation in a number of areas of investment, trade and tourism and wants to promote South Africa, as an up-coming tourist destination in Singapore. It takes developing the new engines of growth for South Africa’s economy going forward. The tourism sector is an increasingly significant income generator for South Africa. As far as tourism is concerned, the latest figures indicate that South Africa received 9.8 million tourists in 2012, and about 8000 Singaporeans visited South Africa in the same period alone. In a face to face interview with the Foreign Exchange Global Editor the High Commissioner H. F Ngubeni said, “We are placing high emphasis on promoting investment, trade and tourism and marketing South Africa as a unique tourism destination in Singapore.” 
“Our relationship with Singapore is strong and broadbased and will continue to be very good.” The year 2013 marks a turning point in South Africa’s economic relationship with Singapore. The High Commission in Singapore had interesting programmes of action for the current year. This includes launching of its new tourism marketing initiatives for South Africa to increase leisure traffic between the two countries.
The main effort of the High Commission of South Africa in Singapore is to promote South African tourism in Singapore and to engage the main stakeholders in the tourism industry in both countries. In Singapore, the High Commissioner met the respective heads of the National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS) and the Singapore Tourism Board. Meetings have also been held with individual outbound travel agents. The South African High Commission hosted a South African Tourist Promotion Seminar on 13th August 2013. The seminar was hosted in partnership with South African Tourism (SAT), the Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS). The National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS) Tourism Fair was the biggest tourism event where the entire outbound trade in Singapore was present for three days to sell the travel packages to consumers.
The High Commissioner engaged the President of NATAS in order to establish a sound working relationship with his organization. This engagement yielded phenomenal results for the High Commission in Singapore, as the President offered a free booth for participation in the National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS) Fair and to organize the outbound travel trade to a seminar, where  the High Commission would make presentations about the tourism potential to the Singaporeans. The signing of the MOC by Singapore Airlines (SIA), Changi Airport Group (CAG) and South African Tourism (SAT) was regarded as an important milestone in the evolution of the  South Africa – Singapore relations.
South Africa’s engagement with the Government of Singapore and the business community is based on the promotion of South Africa’s trade and investment and tourism potential through the National Development Plan (NDP) with a view to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Trade has been a very significant factor of the South African economy. Trade between South Africa and Singapore is growing at a tremendous pace. Five of the highest valued South African exports to Singapore are fuel oils, nickel, aluminum, fresh grapes and acrylic acid. Imports from Singapore to South Africa play a significant role in trade between both countries.  South Africa’s top import from Singapore is high speed diesel fuel, floating drilling platforms, parts of vehicles, refined unleaded motor spirit and tin.
Today the South Africa and Singapore partnership is growing through enhanced trade, tourism, investment and cooperation in many social and economic development areas.

Source 

Reflections of a Tour to Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando


Reflections of  a Tour to Singapore  

Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Club 150 - Sights and Sounds of Singapore — inSingapore.


[Srimal Fernando  is a International Journalist and a Global Editor . He is also a International Editor for a globally famous life style Magazine.as a recognized international travel photographer he has received tremendous appreciations from different Heads of States, Ministers and Diplomats ]


Lake side — in Singapore.



Marina Bay Sands Building — in Singapore.


Under water world — in Singapore.



The Merlion (Malay: Singa-Laut) is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, used as a mascot — in Singapore.



The Merlion (Malay: Singa-Laut) is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, used as a mascot Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando

 
The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel in Singapore that was constructed ... Early designs showed a 169 m (554 ft) tall wheel similar to the London EyePictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore.

Universal Studio — in Singapore.


Marina Bay Sands Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Habour view - " Santhosa Island at Distance " Sights and Sounds of SingaporePictured By Srimal Fernando— in Singapore.



With Dolphins — in Singapore.


Lake sidePictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.




Habour Front — in Singapore.



at Santhosa Beach — in Singapore.


Sights and Sounds of Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.



Marine Bay — in Singapore.






China Garden — in Singapore.


National University of Singapore (NUS) — in Singapore.


Singapore Botanical Gardens — in Singapore.


St Andrews Cathedral — in Singapore.



Mosque -Arab Street — in Singapore.



Lake side /China Gardens — in Singapore.


Lake Side — in Singapore.




China Town Hindu Temple Pictured By Srimal Fernando— in Singapore.



Marina Bay Sands Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore. Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Marina Bay Sands Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



at Marina Bay Sands garden — in Singapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Botanical Garden Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore..Pictured By Srimal Fernando 


Sights and Sounds of Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.



Bay Front - Sights and Sounds of Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


Little India — in Singapore.


National University of Singapore (NUS) Arts Faculty Pictured By Srimal Fernando




DBS YahtsPictured By Srimal Fernand — in Singapore.


Lake side Chinese Temple Sights and Sounds of Singapore By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.



China Gardens Temple Sights and Sounds of Singapore By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


Sights and Sounds of SingaporePictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


Sights and Sounds of SingaporePictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


 Important notice  Reflections of a Tour to Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando ..Do  not publish or use  these images without the permission of the author