By RECAS EXCO ’24

Do you have a burning passion for Economics and/or current affairs? Are you interested in meeting other like-minded individuals and engaging in intellectual discussions every week? Do you have opinions on contemporary issues? Are you looking for a place for constructive debate? If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, the Raffles Economics and Current Affairs Society (RECAS) might just be the place for you!

So… what exactly is RECAS? 

RECAS serves as a space to discuss, share and learn about current affairs and economics-related issues that we find interesting and relevant. We hope to promote a culture of mutual respect and learning, while bringing Economics and current affairs to the forefront of discussions in RI. This is done in order to enrich our general knowledge, gain insight into varied perspectives beyond the textbook, as well as challenge assumptions in the field of Economics and current affairs—hence, our motto, Beyond Ceteris Paribus. 

What do we do? 

Undergirding every member’s experience is what we affectionately call the RECAS Way. At the very core of our vision is the enduring endeavour to create diversified and meaningful learning experiences, as well as foster member engagement through decentralised leadership. 

Since RECAS is a student-led CCA, we possess a sizable amount of autonomy in deciding how to spend our allocated 2 hours every week. Our sessions run every Wednesday morning, from 0900 to 1100. A typical in-school session will be held at the RDS Lite D2 located in Block D. Beyond the walls of the classroom, members can also look forward to competitions, dialogues and learning journeys! 

RECAS also seeks to engage with the wider student body, most notably through organising Economics Week – an annual, school-wide event comprising a wide range of Economics-themed activities. This year’s Economics Week comprised thought-provoking dialogues about pertinent issues such as the future of FinTech (Financial Technology), workshops about game theory and behavioural economics, and student-run booths and exhibits that explored various aspects of Economics. Members will get the opportunity to organise the multifarious activities that make up Economics Week.

Furthermore, RECAS devotes a great deal of time and effort to our “flagship products”. Our members work in groups to contribute monthly articles to The Common Good, a student publication we produce in collaboration with the Economics Department. This not only serves as an excellent avenue to explore issues of one’s choice through an economic lens, but also to practise one’s writing skills! In addition, our members are involved in curating the CCA Instagram page (@rafflescurrent), where we make weekly posts about current affairs.

What do our current members have to say?

Xiong Zirui (23S03F): “It’s fun to have insightful discussions about topics that matter to us. Earlier this year, we discussed global sustainability efforts, and how different stakeholders play a role in either pushing forward or impeding these sustainability efforts. We also really enjoy discussing the economic implications of various policies as well as notable political developments all around the world!

Of course, we don’t just talk about economics and politics. In fact, we spent a session examining the representation of national service in Singaporean cinema. Even those with no prior knowledge of film or media got to unpack the issues raised in our discussion – which is part of what makes learning in RECAS enjoyable!”

Tsaur Sheng Jie (23S02B): “Being in RECAS has been a very enriching experience, as I have learnt about a wide range of current affairs from diverse perspectives. Through working on tasks such as writing articles for The Common Good and organising CCA activities and events, I’m able to bond with batchmates and create a tight-knit CCA culture.” 

Carol Sheng (24S06L): “RECAS has provided me with a platform to learn more about economics and current affairs and discuss these issues with like-minded peers. In our CCA sessions, we’ve talked about topics like the scalping of concert tickets (and even played a scalper game simulation) and the economics of e-sports. Through these enjoyable CCA sessions which serve to intertwine prominent current affairs with important economics concepts, I have developed a greater interest in economics and current affairs. 

Of course, we don’t just discuss these topics within the classroom. This year, we had a RECAS learning journey to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Gallery to learn more about what MAS does, and also organised a dialogue with the International Monetary Fund. Through group tasks like writing articles for The Common Good and organising CCA events, RECAS has helped me to learn and grow alongside my peers in an enjoyable way!”

In conclusion…

Do not fret if you’re not very familiar with current affairs and economics; there are no prerequisites to joining RECAS! 

Instead, we seek to build a supportive community of people that are, first and foremost, interested in learning from others, and motivated to give back by actively offering their own ideas. We hope to create an open, accessible and participatory environment where our members can not only speak freely, but also have their voices heard by those around them. 

If you are interested in any of the above points, attracted by the prospect of taking a little more ownership over your CCA, or simply interested in sharing what you already know and/or learning new things, consider joining RECAS to go Beyond Ceteris Paribus!