Singapore is a multi-racial nation. We are likely to remain multi-racial as long as
our country exists. Developing an active community and becoming a learning
nation has been recognised as a key target for community development. There is
a role for every Singaporean.
An active community could mean a community where different ethnic groups
live harmoniously and work together towards common goals based on shared
values for the well-being of the nation.
In order to reach a state of an active community and a learning nation, Singapore
can adopt a systemic approach to ensure that some essential and fundamental
developments are conducive to the emergence of an active community and learning
nation.
At the national level, the approach has a three-tier systemic order. These tiers are
inter-related and must prevail at all times in order to facilitate the growth of an
active community and a learning nation.
At the citizenry level, another effective and highly disciplined systemic approach
is recommended for each and every citizen in Singapore, whether young or old.
As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words", this article will use a
few simple yet powerful illustrations to enable the readers to have a better
appreciation of the essence of the concept.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the First Order shows the first set of necessary conditions
for the creation of an active community which is made up of three basic elements,
namely, political stability, economic prosperity and social harmony. This order is
concerned with how a country is being managed and governed. If a country does not enjoy a state of prolonged political stability, it would definitely not be
conducive to its economic developments. This is because economic activities
require an effective, efficient and sound public administration to co-create a pro-business
environment for its economic growth. If a country experienced political
turmoil as a result of weak governance, its economy will be seriously affected. If
this First Order is not established, the emergence of an active community would
be extremely difficult, if not totally impossible. This is because the lack of social
harmony, the significant driving force of a country, will prevent a steady growth
of an active community and learning nation.
More importantly, with each of these three factors enhancing and reinforcing
one another in the process of systemic structural development, it creates the First
Ballast (B1) as shown in Figure 2, the first invisible force behind this systemic
development.
Ironically, though identified as the Second Order as depicted in Figure 3, it is this
Second Order that should have given rise to the First Order. While we should
not overplay the importance of the elements in the Second Order, we should
agree that behind the First Order, it is ultimately the quality of people, effectiveness
of governance and efficiency of the public service that provide the First Order
with the necessary "pull" and "push". In other words, it is the overall quality of
the Second Order that counts. Similarly, like in the case of the First Order, a
Second Ballast appears as shown in Figure 4.
With the social harmony of the First Order and public service efficiency of the
Second Order as the base, it will co-create an effective environment for a strong
sense of competitive productivity. This will eventually boost business activities
and attract investments, be it locally or overseas. As illustrated in Figure 5 , the
Third Order will enable the people to be gainfully employed and the nation to
generate sufficient wealth for its people to engage in productive and value-adding
activities. Similarly, as a result of the interplay of the component forces in the
Third Order, an invisible force of the Third Ballast (B3) as shown in Figure 6
may emerge. Like the First Ballast and the Second Ballast, it indirectly contributes
to the establishment of an active community and a learning nation.
When the scenarios in the Figures 1 to 6 merge into a systemic whole, a powerful
though invisible Super Ballast (SB) as depicted in Figure 7, essential for the creation
of an active community and learning nation will appear. This is the most ideal
state of national development that we would want Singapore to possess.
Active citizenry will contribute positively towards an active community and a
learning nation. In return, an active community will cause its citizenry to become
more active and keen to learn. In the pursuit of this development, I am proposing
a model to guide individual citizens to become more active and productive in
living. Thus, the following model of positive living as depicted in Figure 8 is
recommended.
What are the roles our citizens should play in the process of crafting an active
community and a learning nation? Basically, individual citizens may have to pursue
what I call the five segments of the "Wheel of Wealth" in their lives.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The FIRST wealth is HEALTH". Out of the
five "Wealths", the fundamental being "Health" comprises both mental health
and physical health. In other words, to stay active, our citizenry must be mentally
sound and physically fit. As shown in Figure 8, the thicker borders of the health
segment shows that it is the most significant segment. This segment supports the
other four segments. If "Health" collapses, other segments will also be affected.
Next the "Family" and "Faith" segments of the "Wheel of Wealth" are like a pair
of crutches providing people with physical, emotional and spiritual support. So
far, the three segments will form a strong base for our people to engage themselves
in an active community and a learning nation.
Upon this conducive and solid foundation formed by the "Health", "Family" and
"Faith" lies the most sought-after segment by most people that is "Fortune".
"Fortune" refers to all things in material world that money can buy. Unfortunately,
there are many people who pursue "Fortune" at the expense of "Family", "Faith"
and "Health". And in the process of building up the empire of material wealth,
these people neglect the needs of their family, go against their own faith and
forego their health. It is not uncommon to see "Fortune" collapsing as a result of
the weak foundation support. This will definitely undermine the efforts of our
citizenry in achieving an active community and a learning nation.
Just as the proverb goes, "no man is an island", people would live a richer and
more fulfilling life if they regard "Friendship" as one of the necessary components
of wealth.
To build a better personal empowering system, a revolving sub-system acronym
"WATCH" could help people fine-tune segments of the "Wheel of Wealth". The
acronym "WATCH" stands for "Words", "Action", "Thought", "Character" and
"Habits". This should be a constant and on-going learning experience for the
individual.
For example, we should always "watch" our "Words" when being involved in the
community. People should always refrain from engaging in communication that
conveys negative meanings or judgements. In terms of "Actions", for instance, we
should refrain from pointing our finger at others. We should emulate the thinking and behaviours of positive people to improve our "Thoughts" and our "Character".
People should also constantly recognise and cultivate good "Habits" and discard
bad ones in the course of developing oneself.
In order for the system to function perfectly, active citizens need to foster a sense
of "Positive Thinking / Possibility Thinking" which is a foundation for the "Wheel
of Wealth". People also need to acquire and develop two essential skills, namely
time-management and goal-setting skills. The skill of time-management acts
like the right hand while the skill of goal-setting acts like the left hand of an
effective person, for it takes two hands to clap, and not just one.
If people could use this model as a guide and a personal motivational framework
while pursuing their personal goals in an ever-competitive society, we would be
able to see a happier and more active community and a learning nation.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Mr Tay Nguan Tong is a Specialist Trainer at the National Community Leadership
Institute (NACLI).
The article is published with permission from the National Community
Leadership Institute (NACLI). Source: Journal On Active CommUnity, Volume
2 Issue 2, January 2002. website:www.nacli.org.sg
