Sharing Sustainable Solutions to Common Challenges such as Food and Water Security

27 June 2024

Sharing Sustainable Solutions to Common Challenges such as Food and Water Security

Journalists from seven ASEAN countries get insights on Singapore’s innovative solutions during the Singapore International Foundation (SIF)’s Journalist Visit Programme (JVP).

Group photo at the CapitaSpring rooftop garden

Photo Gallery

“Embracing global insights and best practices through international collaboration is vital to address common challenges and build liveable and sustainable cities.” This was Mr Ben Sok Hean’s key takeaway from the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2024, which gathered government leaders and industry experts to address urban city challenges.

Mr Ben, who is the National Editor at the Khmer Times, and 12 other journalists attended the WCS 2024 as part of the SIF’s JVP 2024. He said: “Being in Singapore to learn about the country’s sustainability initiatives is a great opportunity for us to exchange insights and learn from one another.”

The JVP, which ran from 3 to 6 June, was themed “Driving Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Singapore”. It introduced the journalists to local organisations that champion sustainability efforts across areas such as water and food security and food waste management.

Mr Angelo Sanchez, Content Producer at Manila Bulletin, was intrigued by the Edible Garden City’s (EGC) urban farms and MoNo SG’s efforts in food sustainability. EGC promotes the Grow-Our-Own-Food movement to improve food resilience while MoNo SG redirects expired but safe food items to disadvantaged communities.

He believes similar initiatives could address challenges in food security in the Philippines. He said: “The solutions could potentially be applied back home and benefit my local community.”

Mr Nguyen Minh Khoi, an International Correspondent at the Vietnamese newspaper, Tuoi Tre, echoed Mr Sanchez’s sentiments on the transferability of sustainable solutions after visiting the Sustainable Singapore Gallery. The gallery, located at the Marina Barrage, showcases Singapore’s long-term strategies to ensure a sustainable water supply and a clean and green city.

He said: “Vietnam is currently facing a worsening shortage of clean water due to groundwater pollution and widespread saltwater intrusion. I was impressed by Singapore’s innovations to secure a sustainable supply of water despite its limited land space. I hope to bring these learnings back home.”

The journalists – from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – also gained a better understanding of Singapore’s multiculturalism, noting Singapore’s emphasis on cross-cultural understanding as well as religious peace and harmony.

They visited the Harmony in Diversity Gallery (HDG), at the Ministry of National Development Building, which promotes an appreciation of Singapore’s religious diversity. They explored Telok Ayer Street to learn about diverse places of worship being located near each other since the 1800s.

Ms Cherrie Wong, Senior Journalist at Malaysian publication Sin Chew Daily, said: “Visiting HDG and seeing various places of worship so near each other has taught me the importance of mutual respect and understanding.

“These are essential to preserve the religious peace and harmony that Singapore enjoys. Singapore and Malaysia are very similar in our religious diversity, and I am eager to share these insights with my community.”

Mr Bounheng Southichak, Managing Editor of Lao Youth Radio, said: “Participating in the JVP with fellow journalists from all over ASEAN has helped me to better understand the cultures of each country. We bonded quickly over four days and are already looking out for opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

“I am proud to be part of this regional network and will strive to share more sustainability-related insights and lessons learnt from the ASEAN community with my local audience.”

Ms Tia Dwitiani Komalasari, Editor at Indonesian publication Katadata, said that the JVP had changed her perspective of Singaporeans. She said: “I used to think that Singaporeans were more individualistic, but through this JVP, I met many Singaporeans who care very much for their community and are passionate about their causes. I was impressed by Dignity Kitchen which provides jobs for persons with disabilities and offers food for underprivileged communities.”

You can read about some of the journalists’ insights from the JVP here:

Khmer Times (Cambodia) – Journalists Explore Singapore’s Cutting-edge Aquaculture Industry
Manila Bulletin (Philippines) – Championing Eco-friendly, Sustainable Real Estate
VnEconomy (Vietnam) – Singapore’s Never-ending Journey of Water Conservation
Katadata (Indonesia) – How Singaporeans Remain Harmonious Amidst the Diversity of 10 Religions

JVP 2024 kicked off with a Welcome Lunch in the SIF office, where the journalists met SIF staff and our Citizen Ambassadors. Through their interactions, they learnt more about how SIF programmes connect world communities to collaborate and effect positive change.
Ms Rebecca Neo (centre), a guide from the EGC, took the journalists around the roof garden at CapitaSpring, one of Singapore’s tallest buildings. The garden is one of EGC’s collaborations with homes, schools, and commercial buildings to transform their spaces into urban farms. It provides fresh produce to three restaurants at CapitaSpring.
At the Eco-Spark fish farm, the journalists saw how fish are bred in strictly monitored conditions to ensure yield, freshness and taste. EGC and ACE are among local companies that are contributing to Singapore’s goal to sustainably produce 30 per cent of its nutritional needs by 2030.
At City Sprouts, which promotes community engagement in social and environmental issues, the journalists learnt to make the local dessert ondeh ondeh using ingredients harvested from the social enterprise’s urban farm. The farm-to-table experience is one of City Sprouts’ programmes to foster a ground up spirit to make Singapore more sustainable and food independent.
The journalists met Mr Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia (left) at WCS 2024, where he highlighted that a smart city must be sustainable and display the creativity of its people at the same time. Mr Uno was one of the foreign dignitaries who spoke at the Summit.
Mr Wongsakorn Loima (right) from Thailand and Mr Bounheng Southichak (centre) from Laos learnt to repair a three-pin plug at Repair Kopitiam. The community-based initiative by the Sustainable Living Lab encourages sustainable living by repairing electrical appliances instead of discarding them.
The journalists visited MoNo’s shop in Chinatown, where customers can contribute to reducing food waste by paying for a box filled with as many items as they can fit. Several journalists, including Ms Ajeng Rizka from Indonesia, purchased a box.
The journalists learnt to order local beverages using sign language at Dignity Kitchen, which employs the differently abled and disadvantaged. They also saw how structured training and employment opportunities can empower vulnerable communities to be meaningfully engaged in society.
At Insectta, a biotech startup, the journalists got up close with black solider fly larvae, which can consume up to four times their weight in food waste daily. They learnt how the insects can be used to manage food waste.
The finale of JVP 2024 at the Newton Food Centre was a gastronomic delight, where journalists experienced Singapore’s food and hawker culture first-hand with local dishes such as satay and fried carrot cake.