World Issues @ Glance

A Singapore Perspective

Prepared by:

Team: The Liberators

Lee Jun Long

Koh Zhi Wei Rodney

Vivek Menon

Jeganeson S/O Jayagopalan

Class: T21

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• Population-10.5million

• Capital-Kigali

• Economy- Subsistence agriculture, exports of coffee and tea

• Languages- English,

French, Kinyarwanda, Swahili

Country Profile

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History of the Conflict

Since 15th century the Tutsi’s have been in the rulers.

Hutu’s were the majority group however still Tutsi held the higher position

Tutsi’s were the minority group , they were rich and powerful

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Root of Social Segregation•Tutsis were given identity cards from

Belgians to segregate the Hutu’s from

the Tutsis.

•Tutsis were given special privileges in

comparison to the Hutu’s.

•Tutsi are thought to be tall with thin lips

and nose.

•Hutu are thought to be shorter and

broader, with thin lips and flat nose

Identity Cards

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In 1959, the Hutu’s formed the Parmehutu to

start a revolution. In the first day of the

revolution over 20,000 Tutsi’s were killed.

More than 200,000 Tutsis fled the country and

accumulated the forces of the Tutsis from

neighboring countries to form the Republic

Patriotic Front (RPF).

In 1961, the Belgians left the country, and the

people of Rwanda gained Independence.

Social Revolution

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The Rwandan Civil War

President Habyarimana

In 1971, Habyarimana, a hutu overthrew the Tutsi President to start a 20 year dictatorship.

The president Habyarimana was being opposed by the Republic Patriotic Front (RPF)

Several peace treaties were signed between the two none worked out. Habyarimana did not want to give any political powers to the Tutsis

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• The two militia who started the Genocide were

• The Interahamwe - "those who stand/work/fight/attack together"

• The Impuzamugambi - "Those who have a single goal"

• In 1994, on a trip to Kigali, the Rwandan President Habyarimana and the President of Burundi was shot down with a rocket. The plane crashed and both presidents died a gruesome death. This sparked off the Genocide.

What caused the Genocide to take place?

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• If you don’t kill, be killed!!

• Hutu civilians were commanded by the Hutu Militants to kill the Tutsis.

• The Tutsis hid in Churches, Schools and Hospitals but were found and brutally massacred.

• On an estimate, about 1 million Tutsis were killed in the Genocide.

The Genocide

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Social inequality- Re-segregation of the community- Less job opportunities

Prejudices leading to discrimination

- Hutu had broad noses while the Tutsis has sharp noses.

Gender and the Treatment of women- Women did have 49% rights in the government when Tutsis were in power and this

is something the Hutus didn’t like.- The Interahamwe militia was often caught mistreating the Tutsi women.

Other important social, economic and political factors

- After the treaty of Versailles 1918, Belgians has not done a good job till 1961. They fail to recognize the needs of the Hutu’s and racially profiled the Hutu people causing them to rebel.

What do we have so far…??

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Singapore’s Racial Harmony is challenged by several religions. Political power of one ruling party eminent since the year - 1955

Rwanda’s discrimination was because of giving one race more power than the other.

Protests over Hindu Temple in Malaysia.Racism that may spark a riot in Singapore

between the Malays & the Indians.

Tutsi’s rule in the country for decades left to this revolution.

External Factors affecting Internal Harmony.

Comparing Rwanda to Singapore- Social Inequality

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• Current number of Malay students going into Local Universities is low compared to the two other main communities Chinese & Indians.

• In Rwanda there were more educated Tutsi than the Hutus.

This trend is in relation to the Herders & Croppers situation.

Prejudice may develop!!

Prejudice Leading to Discrimination

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Gender & Treatment of Women

Singapore gives equal rights to Women citizens in comparison the Male citizens however statistics shows otherwise.

For example in the parliament the number of women candidates are stunningly scarce compared to the male candidates.

In 2008, 44 seats out of 80 seats is currently filled up by Women. This shows us the amount of rights the women has in the Rwanda Government.

Discrimination May Exist against women after all!!

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• LBR- 1970’s Birth Control Measures

Backfired (Fertility Rate = 1.28 in 2008)

The Need to bring in more foreigners

Migrants bring in their own individual mindset. Migrants challenging the Job Opportunity.

When Tutsis came from the neighboring country of Burundi, the Hutus faced a serious problem of competition and increasing amount of inequality.

Prejudice & Discrimination may arise between the Singaporeans and the Foreigners. This is similar to Rwanda situation when the Belgium was in power.

Influx of Migrants

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Analysis

Current Situation in Singapore

Low birth rate - Increasing

Aging Population - Increasing

High Standard of Living - Increasing

Social problems – Multi-racial society

Political problems – One Party Leadership

Economic Problems – Recession

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Possible Situation in 2050Low Birth Rate Continues (0.89)

Aging Population is far worse

Standard of Living is higher

Social Problems arise between the Foreigner(s) & Foreign Brides & the Singaporeans(discrimination against the Foreigners)

Political Problems (current one party being led by less significant leaders, party over thrown, new regime causing

political unrest)

Economic problems Unemployment Rate because much worse. The West Slump while Asia recovers, Singapore too

dependant on the West.

Malaysia has stopped supplying water to Singapore and Singapore will have to look for alternative solutions.

Analysis - The Likely Future 2061 if left unchecked

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• Social Inequality

- Promote Racial Harmony

- Educate the Students the mindsets of Foreigners

• Prejudice Leading to Discrimination

- Teach students to treat everyone equally regardless of race, religion & language

• Gender & Treatment of Women

- Encourage more women to take up leadership skills

• Influx of Migrants

- Encourage Singaporeans to have more children

- Teach foreigners the customs of Singaporeans

Solving our Problems Now

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Challenges faced when proposing measures

• Uneducated Singaporeans / Foreigners• Stereotypes• Correcting the wrong perceptions• Prevents any idealists from developing• Ensure that implemented measures does not create any

disharmony among the civilians• Media Propaganda

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Our Conclusion

• It is important for the people in power to realise the needs of each community. They leaders must be willing to make changes. Changes that are made now will affect the future to betterment of others or the worse. Revolution does not take place over night, it takes time.

Thankiew For Listening. =)