Speaking fee

When a conference organiser in Singapore engages a speaker from overseas, they have to pay the travelling expenses and a speaker's fee. When they engage a local speaker, they pay nothing.

Recently, I have been invited to speak on a few occasions, and have declined. I am willing to speak only if they agree to make a modest donation to a non-profit organisation nominated by me.

I wish to encourage conference organisers, and our media companies, to be fair to local speakers and be willing to make a modest contribution. They should not expect local experts to speak for free, while overseas experts command a large fee. We have to be fair to our local people.

Many of these conference organisers or media company make a profit and can afford to make a modest donation or pay a modest fee. It will not create any significant dent in their profits.