Join the Discussion at The Foundry for ST Podcasts Live! in Singapore On February 12, the former Elections Department (ELD) building in Prinsep Link will host an engaging conversation about the role young people can play in preserving and revitalising historic buildings. This dialogue will launch the first of the ST Podcasts Live! events for
Join the Discussion at The Foundry for ST Podcasts Live! in Singapore
On February 12, the former Elections Department (ELD) building in Prinsep Link will host an engaging conversation about the role young people can play in preserving and revitalising historic buildings. This dialogue will launch the first of the ST Podcasts Live! events for 2025, starting at 6.30 pm.
The session will feature a discussion led by Natasha Ann Zachariah, correspondent and host of The Usual Place, The Straits Times’ inaugural video podcast. Joining her will be Mr. Ng Wee Liang, a content creator focused on Singapore’s heritage, arts, and culture, as well as Mr. Colin Low, CEO of the Singapore Land Authority. The speakers will explore the potential of youth in giving new life to historical sites, offering fresh perspectives on how to revitalise these spaces.
The former ELD building, now known as The Foundry, is a fitting venue for this discussion. This three-storey building was repurposed into a social impact hub that encourages collaboration among organisations, particularly non-profits, to develop innovative solutions for social challenges like mental health and isolation. It was officially launched by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on November 28.
The ELD building, which served as the office for the Returning Officer overseeing election processes from 1994 to 2021, now finds itself as a centre for social good.
Following the initial podcast conversation on the future of heritage buildings, a second podcast will explore the transformative power of music in dementia care. Lynda Hong, assistant podcast editor for ST, and reporter Christie Chiu, hosts of the In Your Opinion podcast, will speak with Mr. Johnson Soh, founder of SanCare Asia, and Ms. Amanda Soon, programme executive at Fei Yue Community Services. Together, they will discuss how music impacts the mind and how youth volunteers are making a difference through inter-generational initiatives.
After each podcast, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a 15-minute Q&A session to ask the panellists questions. Those interested in attending can sign up through the provided link.
