Singapore Red Cross hosts inaugural diplomatic night

Singapore, 22 May 2018 - The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will host its first Diplomatic Night on 22 May 2018. Organised jointly with Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, the event will bring together over ambassadors, high commissioners, consular representatives and industry leaders from more than 40 countries, for an evening of cross-cultural sharing and networking.

The Rossinochka School of Russian Traditional Dance will open the event with two performances, set to bring the beauty and colours of Russian winter to sunny Singapore. Guest-of-Honour Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh will deliver the opening remarks, followed by a speech by the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, HE Ambassador Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz of Poland. “Singapore's King of Swing” and Cultural Medallion recipient Jeremy Monteiro will perform three tunes, climaxing in the jazzed up “Singapura”.

Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of the Singapore Red Cross says, “Through the bi-annual Red Cross International Bazaar, the diplomatic community is a constant fundraiser and supporter of our causes. Beyond that, I see them as a critical partner in our humanitarian response, both in Singapore and abroad, and in building a coalition for resilience. By inaugurating the Diplomatic Night, we hope it will form the catalysis for deeper ties with the  diplomatic corps in Singapore and in turn the international community here.  It will also foster more cross-cultural understanding and collaboration in life-saving situations.”

In conjunction with Diplomatic Night, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel will launch an exclusive menu carefully prepared by its Executive Chef, David Toh. Guests will be treated to exquisite cuisine featuring an ensemble of ingredients sourced from around the world. Created with culinary methods from a creative mix of different disciplines, the gastronomic extravaganza symbolises unity in diversity - of different countries and their people - with hearts beating as one.

“The partnership between Red Cross & Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel is perfect because both organisations are passionate about their beliefs and core values, working together to inspire more people to make the world a better place,” shared Mr Cheong Hai Poh, General Manager of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel.

At the dinner reception, Singapore Red Cross will exhibit its local and international humanitarian efforts, and hold a silent auction of 10 paintings by residents of Red Cross Home for the Disabled, hand-in-hand with employee-volunteers of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. The auction will raise funds for community services such as ElderAid, FoodAid and TransportAid, aimed at uplifting vulnerable Singaporeans.