Chinese culture originated in China, it is also seen as ethnic civilisation. Culture is the variability of these unique local traditions which derived from clan associations, dialect/ kinship organizations and temples from one place to another. Culture evolves and often been oblivious apparently when early migrants settling down and adapting into new nation building process. Clan associations have rooms for new progress as government's attitude changed in facing globalisation challenges.

 

Chinese clan associations possess intangible and tangible resources, from rich wisdom and culture, architectural heritage and art, social networks and connections. There are ways in developing a strong sense of national identity for new nations in Southeast Asia, on this basis, by allowing the various ethnic groups to retain their own cultural identity. The questions of how majority ethnic Chinese in Singapore for instance, deepening their own culture and the possibility of having clan associations to play a more active role, is worth exploring.

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OUR MILESTONE

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• 1966   Formation of Gan Clan Singapore

• 2013   Launch of Gan Heritage Centre

                  Clan of the Year 

• 2015   Clan of the Year

                  Inception to Museum Roundtable, National Heritage Board

• 2021   Inception to International Council of Museums, UNESCO

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SOCIETY ENGAGED CONSERVATION

TO GUARANTEE THE CONTINUITY OF THE SIGNIFICANCE

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In transition to MODERNISATION and ADAPTATION                                                          

 

Heritage is meaningful to society and, on the other, gaining society’s support is significantly beneficial to ongoing use and protection.

Galla: 2012

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• MODERNISATION OF ASSOCIATION WITH NEW VISION AND TRANSFORMATION

• ADAPTATION OF SPATIAL PLANNING AND REUSE FOR NEW PROGRAMMES

 

What constitutes satisfactory ‘community engagement’ for clan associations?                 
 

Community identities are expressed through the range of activities and service provision offered at cultural heritage tourist destinations that are intended to take advantage of the economic, social and cultural benefits of tourism.

ICOMOS 2014, Jokilehto: 2017/18

 

• ECONOMIC    clan house and heritage centre for insiders and outsiders

• SOCIAL            welfare oriented, voluntary basis in continuing the legacy

• CULTURAL       people-centred approach for spatial design and planning
   

How is it possible to better understand the role of communities in capacity building?    
 

Primary stakeholders being central to decision-making, not just being placed in a secondary role.

Wijesuriya, Thompson and Court: 2017/38

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The community includes many different stakeholders: building owners and administrators, as well as specialised conservationists in different fields and many others. To work with communities does not mean forgetting professional knowledge. Heritage is heritage when recognised as such; taking care of heritage requires knowledge. Learning is the scope of capacity building.
Jokilehto: 2017/31-2

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• EXISTENTIAL               new clan members recruited, volunteers deployed, visitors hosted   

• CONSTITUTIONAL     research projects embarked, heritage budget initiated,

                                             maintenance reserve allocated, new revenue created

• FUNCTIONAL              mandating conservation consultants in project undertaking,

                                             introducing new heritage and education programmes

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15,000 Visitors

100 Student Volunteers

50 Heritage Events

50 Media Coverages

30 Community Partners

30 Clan Associations

10 Heritage Consultants

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