HarmonyWorks! Conference 2023 with (OPSG)
What I Did.
As a member of the HarmonyWorks! 2023 Conference administration team, I played a key role in facilitating collaboration between ITE College East and OnePeople.sg, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore. The conference was guided by the theme “Me to We”, and focused on encouraging individuals to reflect on their role in building a more inclusive and understanding society within Singapore’s multiracial and multicultural landscape. My involvement spanned both the conceptual and logistical dimensions of the event. I contributed to early planning discussions that helped shape the event’s theme, objectives, and structure, while also supporting critical backend operations that ensured a smooth and impactful conference experience.
My responsibilities ranged from food procurement—where I ensured all dietary needs were catered for safely and appropriately—to volunteer coordination and attendance management. I created duty rosters for volunteers, briefed ushers, and supervised attendance tracking to streamline guest flow during the event. These logistical tasks required a high degree of attention to detail and effective communication across multiple teams. The conference featured prominent speakers, including Minister Edwin Tong, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, and Dr. Yek Tiew Ming, who shared important insights on multiculturalism and racial integration. Coordinating such a multifaceted event presented challenges, particularly in time management and in ensuring clear, timely communication with stakeholders. Nonetheless, I remained adaptable and solution-focused, working collaboratively to meet tight deadlines and maintain overall event cohesion.
What I Learned.
This experience significantly broadened my understanding of what it means to create inclusive spaces and engage with racial harmony on both a logistical and emotional level. I gained practical experience in event planning and backend coordination, learning how to anticipate and resolve challenges that arise when working with diverse teams and audiences. Managing dietary needs, assigning volunteer roles, and overseeing real-time event execution taught me how vital it is to approach community initiatives with foresight, cultural sensitivity, and empathy. The positive response from both participants and organisers reinforced the importance of effective teamwork and made clear how strategic coordination can amplify the impact of meaningful conversations.
Beyond the operational and planning aspects, the conference also deepened my personal understanding of social inclusion, intercultural respect, and shared citizenship. Listening to the guest speakers and observing participant engagement allowed me to witness the powerful role of dialogue in building empathy and dismantling stereotypes. The event underscored how important it is to create platforms where people can listen, speak, and reflect on their lived experiences in a safe and constructive environment. It helped me become more attuned to the challenges faced by different racial and cultural communities in Singapore, and reminded me that meaningful change often begins with a willingness to understand perspectives that differ from our own.
Goals for Continued Learning.
Looking ahead, I am committed to furthering my involvement in initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and community building. I plan to deepen my skills in event planning, especially for social impact programmes, by attending workshops on inclusive facilitation, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural communication. I also hope to explore topics such as unconscious bias, structural inequality, and intercultural dialogue to broaden my awareness and strengthen my ability to contribute meaningfully to discussions on social harmony. By expanding my knowledge in these areas, I aim to become a more informed and thoughtful participant in shaping inclusive practices within both grassroots and institutional contexts.
In addition, I intend to pursue volunteer opportunities with organisations that prioritise peacebuilding, intercultural understanding, and social inclusion. I want to apply what I’ve learned in real-world community settings and continue to support programmes that bring diverse people together in shared learning and empathy. Whether through event coordination, dialogue facilitation, or behind-the-scenes work, I hope to play a part in fostering unity in increasingly complex and multicultural environments. My experience with the HarmonyWorks! Conference affirmed my belief that everyone has a role to play in building a cohesive society, and I am motivated to carry these lessons forward in future efforts—both as a learner and as an active contributor to Singapore’s evolving narrative of inclusion.