At the UNAS 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner, 2010. Like the others in the room, the table of the Guest of Honour, Mr. Kamal Malhotra, was dressed with the flags of the countries represented at it.
Raffaele Di Nardo, Patrik Tan and CM Cordeiro for CMC © 2010
The United Nations Association of Singapore (UNAS) marked its 40th anniversary this month with a charity gala dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel, held to raise funds for the association’s educational and humanitarian work. The evening opened with a welcome address by Dr. Tham Seong Chee, President of UNAS.
At the UNAS 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner, Singapore, in a black gown with gold underlay by Francis Louis Ler of Amor Meus, 36 Purvis Street, Singapore.
An anniversary with a purpose
Since its founding in 1969, UNAS has worked to build awareness of, and support for, the United Nations and its ideals, holding consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council. The evening was very much in that spirit, a milestone in Singapore’s continued backing of the UN and its international programmes. The Guest of Honour was Mr. Kamal Malhotra, UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, and UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia.
The gala dinner was held in the Island Ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.
A community, not only a guest list
The guest list reflected the association’s own community: diplomats, academics, students and professionals who sustain UNAS’s year-round work. Since 1969, the association has run the programmes that quietly build such a network, among them its annual UN Seminars, the Young Diplomat Scheme and its Model UN conferences, together with the youth activities coordinated through its Youth Council, whose director, Mr. Yap Kwong Weng, was among the guests this evening. Many in the room had crossed paths through exactly these efforts over the years, so the occasion was as much a warm reconnection as it was an evening to network.
The stage, set for the speakers and, now and then, some lighter entertainment.
Reflection, then celebration
In keeping with the reflection on the UN’s mission and the role UNAS plays in Singapore, the evening began on a mellow, thoughtful note. The entertainment, though, was anything but subdued. The award-winning St. Patrick’s School Military Band, among the oldest and most decorated school bands in Singapore, soon had the room sitting up and smiling.
The centrepiece of each table was set with white roses and the national flags of its guests, accompanied by the evening’s wines: Espíritu de Chile Cabernet Sauvignon and Carlo Pellegrino Fiorile Bianco.
A serendipitous meeting: my cousins Marc and Matt Cordeiro, members of the award-winning St. Patrick’s School Military Band, who played this evening.
Malay dance performers from Bowen Secondary School.
Cultures at the table and on the stage
Alongside an eclectic menu of ginger soup with coriander prawns, pan-fried chicken breast, Teriyaki pancake rolls and petits fours to finish, guests were treated to a colourful display of cultures, local and European alike. Bowen Secondary School performed Malay and Indian dances, and Pasión Gitana brought the Flamenco.
The ladies from our table.
A happy close
The evening could hardly have ended on a happier note than watching a good friend take the raffle’s second prize, two SilkAir tickets to Cambodia.
Celebrating a friend’s raffle win of air tickets to Cambodia on SilkAir, with Mr. Yap Kwong Weng, Director of the UNAS Youth Council.