At a conference on identity, SMU Professor of Psychology and Director of the SMU Behavioural Sciences Initiative David Chan said it would be dangerous to act as if the Singaporean identity is the "only and most powerful force to bind people together and all other things don't matter". That is not the case, as common values and a respect for dignity can also bind people together. He noted that there is no country, government or people who in discussions deliberately leave out national identity and citizenship. He said: "I think Singaporeans would very much like to say that as Singaporeans, (this is what) we have in common and share in our identity. That's not inconsistent with a cosmopolitan city... a place where you can co-exist with foreigners and permanent residents."