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Keynote Address by
Mr David T E Lim, Minister of State for Defence and Information and the Arts, and Chairman,
Singapore 21 Facilitation Committee, at the Singapore 21 @ Work Conference, IPAM Auditorium, 9am,
on 29 Jul 2000.
Ladies and gentlemen,
1. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong unveiled the Singapore 21 Vision a year ago. It is my privilege today to report to you the work done by the Singapore 21 Facilitation Committee over the last year.
2. No one expects Singapore 21 to be implemented overnight. But what we want to tell everyone is that Singapore 21 is already at work.
Challenges that the S21 FC Faced
3. When the Singapore 21 facilitation committee was formed a year ago, it faced a number of challenges.
4. The first challenge we faced was how to make the message of Singapore 21 clear and straightforward to all Singaporeans.
5. At that time, many felt that the concept was complicated, and the message was not very clear. This was especially so amongst those who did not read the English language papers. So the first task of the committee was to present this message in a way that everyone could understand, identify with, and act upon. Over several months, it became clear that an effective way to explain Singapore 21 was to let people know that this was not a set of new ideas, but an affirmation of good ideas that had stood the test of time, but were even more important for Singapore's future.
6. The five key ideas in Singapore 21 are not new in themselves. That everyone is important and strong families are the foundation of our society, are themes that we have always lived by. Likewise we have long encouraged our citizens to identify themselves as Singaporeans, and to be committed and involved in building their communities. And we have sought to create more opportunities for Singaporeans, by creating better jobs, and by raising our standards of education.
7. So what is new? What is new and important in Singapore 21 is the affirmation of these five ideas as the foundations of our society for the 21st century. This is not a trivial thing to say. It is an emphatic statement of our central beliefs, and the core values and goals that make us citizens and give us hope.
8. Explained in this way, Singapore 21 is about giving emphasis and priority to those things we do today that matter even more tomorrow. The economic forces that compel us to compete can tear us away from these foundational values. Diversity gives us choice, but it can also make us less united. We cannot leave the construction of strong social foundations to chance. We need more social capital to stay cohesive and rooted, and to have the unity of strength to compete and succeed. This is the heart of Singapore 21, that makes new what is old and familiar, and that makes relevant and imperative what may otherwise be taken for granted and left untended.
9. The second challenge that the FC faced was to how to bring about awareness and active support for the Singapore 21 vision. From the very beginning, we received feedback that Singapore 21 carried with it a strong connotation of government propaganda. We felt that running a campaign to promote Singapore 21 could be counter-productive, and serve only to reinforce this perspective.
10. We therefore decided that we would raise social awareness by doing two things: one, reaching out in small groups, and on a personal basis to different target groups, and two, highlighting efforts in our community that were already "Singapore 21 compliant". To implement the first strategy, the committee divided itself into 7 groups to work with key social segments, such as civic and civil organisations, businessmen and professionals, youths and students. Without fanfare, each member of the Singapore 21 FC has been working with the movers and shakers of these groups, and through them, to reach their members. It is painstaking work. Later today you will hear from these 7 groups examples of how Singapore 21 is at work in Singapore.
11. Secondly, we decided, as one of our committee members put it, to "excavate, expose and recognise" the sterling efforts already taking place in Singapore. After all, the ideals of Singapore 21 are rooted in values and activities that we have embraced and practiced these past 35 years.
12. Here, I want to acknowledge in particular the role of the local media in helping us to carry the Singapore 21 message through their stories and editorials. The media is, after all, also a key member of civil society. Each paper or radio or TV channel has reached out to its audience in its own way. For example, some of you would have noticed Lianhe Zaobao's weekly column called 21 degrees, which focuses on efforts in our society that reflect the Singapore 21 spirit and vision.
13. The third challenge that the S21 Facilitation Committee faced was how to sustain interest and support for Singapore 21. To achieve this, we need to strike a balance between doing enough to keep the momentum of Singapore 21 going, but not doing too much that the message becomes stale, and people tire of the speeches.
14. One idea we decided to try was to launch a Singapore 21 logo. DPM Lee Hsien Loong launched this when he spoke at the Singapore 21 seminar organised by Ang Mo Kio - Cheng San Community Development Council in January this year. The logo, which you see on the banner behind me, symbolises Singapore's multi-racial society living in harmony as one family. We hope that organisations who believe in the Singapore 21 vision would incorporate this logo into their event banners or advertisements. The logo is never imposed on anyone or any group. Its use is purely voluntary. It is a symbol of affiliation: to be used as an affirmation of the same ideals and an expression of affinity with the same goals.
15. This is the way we believe the Singapore 21 idea can grow: not by a top down directive and push, but rather through bottom up initiative and association. We believe that Singapore 21 can be a sustaining and empowering idea, if those who believe in it come forward to identify with the idea, and to claim this as their foundation for the future. By their example, others will be encouraged to follow.
Singapore 21 Survey
Ladies and gentlemen:
16. One year is a short time to see results in an effort as sweeping and fundamental as Singapore 21. But in order that we have some idea of how we are progressing, the Facilitation Committee commissioned a survey in June this year to gauge the response of Singaporeans after a year of quiet and concerted effort by the early adopters of this vision.
17. The results of the survey are encouraging and instructive. Let me now share some of the key findings with you.
18. Firstly, although there was no all-out campaign to promote Singapore 21, many people are aware of this idea. About one in three persons could recall the idea of Singapore 21 without prompting, and most of them associated Singapore 21 with building a better society for the future. Although one in three may seem a low number numerically, statistically this is a significant level for unaided recall. Furthermore, these respondents were able to recognise one or more of the 5 core ideas of Singapore 21, with the highest numbers recalling the principle of strong families as the foundation of our society, and the value that everyone matters.
19. This is an encouraging result, and affirms for the committee that the approach we have taken - that is of not being impatient for results, but of slowly widening the circle of supporters through personal contact and encouragement - is slowly, but surely, showing progress.
20. Secondly, although a clear majority - some 68% of the total sample surveyed - say that they have a role in realising the Singapore 21 vision, nine out of ten still look to the government to take the lead. From the anecdotes we hear, this may reflect a public feeling that the government should show the way, and lead by example.
21. The facilitation committee noted felt that many government policies were indeed in support of Singapore 21 ideals - such as policies that create opportunities through skills re-training and education, or policies that were pro-family. But more should be done to carry this message to the public. Managing public perceptions are just as important as setting the right policies.
22. It is therefore important that at this time, when we are still building public awareness and solidarity with the Singapore 21 vision, that the government is seen to be doing its part, and perceived to be leading by example. In this respect, the committee feels that it is useful for the public service to explain, wherever applicable, how Singapore 21 values are part of the rationale and driving force behind government policies and programs. I am confident that this is being done, and will be apparent over time.
23. However, it is also important for civic and civil society organisations, as well as the private sector, to do the same. By publicly endorsing and visibly supporting Singapore 21 in their activities and programs, they can also promote public understanding that Singapore 21 is a collaborative effort that involves everyone. The spirit of Singapore 21 is partnership, a "we" approach, with each trying to help the other out to achieve shared goals.
24. Thirdly, there is a significant minority, almost 1 in 4, who are sceptical about Singapore 21, who saw it as government propaganda. Many reasons can be put forward to explain this, but I shall not speculate at this time why they are so. A certain degree of scepticism whenever we rally people to look beyond parochial interests to the well being of the larger community is not unexpected. If this scepticism is about means rather than ends, about the way we are trying to achieve our goals, rather than the ideals of the Singapore 21 vision itself, it can play a useful role. Critical feedback provides a reality check, so that our own rhetoric doesn't carry us away.
25. But we have to face squarely any scepticism about our goals. Those who are against the ideals of Singapore 21 must be prepared to say why they hold such views, and not just disparage the good and sincere efforts of others. Singapore 21 ideas are foundational issues. It is a serious debate. If we intend to build our social capital on these fundamentals, we must be prepared to be honest with ourselves. If our values and goals are wrong, we owe it to future generations to try to put them right. But if these ideas are right, then we must stand up for them and make sure we succeed.
26. The same statistic also shows that 42% have not made up their minds whether or not to embrace Singapore 21. This issue cannot be left undecided. We chose our future. We build our future. Whatever society emerges in the future is a sum of our choices today. And not deciding is really deciding. The questions we ask ourselves are these: if Singapore 21 is not the right set of foundational values, then what is? And if it is not up to each Singaporean to realise this vision, then who will?
Building Social Capital in the New Economy
Ladies and gentlemen:
27. The survey shows that while we have made progress, much work remains to be done. The challenges of the 21st century are not just economic. The social challenge is just as great.
28. Thirty-five years ago our desperate condition united us as a people because the consequences of failure were too fearful to contemplate. Today, we have a robust economy, the capacity to defend our sovereignty and freedom, and a stable society. A younger generation believes that all of this, the peace and growth, will continue because we are now strong. To them, we have arrived. Have we?
29. It is not a bad thing that a younger generation feels this way. It is a measure of how far we have progressed. But our economic strength masks social weaknesses. Although we have amassed economic capital, our social capital in relative terms is less. And the forces of globalisation that will test our economic strength can also unmask the weaknesses in our society.
30. Globalisation will draw us in different directions. It offers choices of work, rewards and lifestyles never before possible. Intense competition can make us more focused on our own needs, and lessen our attention to build bonds and bridges with friends and community. And because the economy is focused on economic measurements, it can mislead us into thinking that life is measured just in terms of wealth, and relationships defined only by the terms of contracts.
31. But life is much more than this. Our quality of life can never be measured by how much we have. Nor can peace and stability be assured by how many guns we can buy. Camaraderie, solidarity, trust, happiness, fulfilment are qualities that hold a people together. And unless we hold together, no new economy can bring us wealth or prosperity.
32. This is why we need to increase our social capital to cope with the new economy. Singapore 21 is about achieving this goal - of strengthening the social glue that makes us not just a diverse collection of immigrants and their descendents, but a nation. Singapore 21 affirms our key values, and directs us to build the bonds and bridges that hold us together as a community.
33. This social challenge is not unique to Singapore. Others are also struggling with it. In his new book, Bowling Alone, Professor Robert Putnam writes about the recent decline of community involvement in the United States. He examines critically the factors that have caused this decline, and argues forcefully why it is important that it be reversed. His analysis of the causes, consequences and remedies has remarkable parallels in Singapore. Whatever our culture, the need for strong ties that hold people together is stronger in the new economy than ever before.
34. Professor Putnam's conclusion is that institutional changes, important as they are, are not enough to build such social cohesion. Each individual has to put in personal effort to build such ties. In his concluding words to his American readers, he says that they need to do this, "not because it will be good for America - though it will be - but because it will be good for us".
35. His words sum up the spirit and reason for Singapore 21: "not because it will be good for Singapore - though it will be - but because it will be good for each of us".
36. Singapore 21 expresses our hope for a better life, by building a stronger society. It is a future worth working for. In English, there is a phrase - where there's a will, there's a way. In Malay, we say "kalau ada kemauan, tentu ada jalan". In Chinese we say "you xin jiu you li". And in Tamil we say "manam undaal vazhi undu".
37. I hope that today's seminar will encourage you further in your efforts, and that you will not tire in putting Singapore 21 to work.
Ladies and gentlemen,
1. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong unveiled the Singapore 21 Vision a year ago. It is my privilege today to report to you the work done by the Singapore 21 Facilitation Committee over the last year.
2. No one expects Singapore 21 to be implemented overnight. But what we want to tell everyone is that Singapore 21 is already at work.
Challenges that the S21 FC Faced
3. When the Singapore 21 facilitation committee was formed a year ago, it faced a number of challenges.
4. The first challenge we faced was how to make the message of Singapore 21 clear and straightforward to all Singaporeans.
5. At that time, many felt that the concept was complicated, and the message was not very clear. This was especially so amongst those who did not read the English language papers. So the first task of the committee was to present this message in a way that everyone could understand, identify with, and act upon. Over several months, it became clear that an effective way to explain Singapore 21 was to let people know that this was not a set of new ideas, but an affirmation of good ideas that had stood the test of time, but were even more important for Singapore's future.
6. The five key ideas in Singapore 21 are not new in themselves. That everyone is important and strong families are the foundation of our society, are themes that we have always lived by. Likewise we have long encouraged our citizens to identify themselves as Singaporeans, and to be committed and involved in building their communities. And we have sought to create more opportunities for Singaporeans, by creating better jobs, and by raising our standards of education.
7. So what is new? What is new and important in Singapore 21 is the affirmation of these five ideas as the foundations of our society for the 21st century. This is not a trivial thing to say. It is an emphatic statement of our central beliefs, and the core values and goals that make us citizens and give us hope.
8. Explained in this way, Singapore 21 is about giving emphasis and priority to those things we do today that matter even more tomorrow. The economic forces that compel us to compete can tear us away from these foundational values. Diversity gives us choice, but it can also make us less united. We cannot leave the construction of strong social foundations to chance. We need more social capital to stay cohesive and rooted, and to have the unity of strength to compete and succeed. This is the heart of Singapore 21, that makes new what is old and familiar, and that makes relevant and imperative what may otherwise be taken for granted and left untended.
9. The second challenge that the FC faced was to how to bring about awareness and active support for the Singapore 21 vision. From the very beginning, we received feedback that Singapore 21 carried with it a strong connotation of government propaganda. We felt that running a campaign to promote Singapore 21 could be counter-productive, and serve only to reinforce this perspective.
10. We therefore decided that we would raise social awareness by doing two things: one, reaching out in small groups, and on a personal basis to different target groups, and two, highlighting efforts in our community that were already "Singapore 21 compliant". To implement the first strategy, the committee divided itself into 7 groups to work with key social segments, such as civic and civil organisations, businessmen and professionals, youths and students. Without fanfare, each member of the Singapore 21 FC has been working with the movers and shakers of these groups, and through them, to reach their members. It is painstaking work. Later today you will hear from these 7 groups examples of how Singapore 21 is at work in Singapore.
11. Secondly, we decided, as one of our committee members put it, to "excavate, expose and recognise" the sterling efforts already taking place in Singapore. After all, the ideals of Singapore 21 are rooted in values and activities that we have embraced and practiced these past 35 years.
12. Here, I want to acknowledge in particular the role of the local media in helping us to carry the Singapore 21 message through their stories and editorials. The media is, after all, also a key member of civil society. Each paper or radio or TV channel has reached out to its audience in its own way. For example, some of you would have noticed Lianhe Zaobao's weekly column called 21 degrees, which focuses on efforts in our society that reflect the Singapore 21 spirit and vision.
13. The third challenge that the S21 Facilitation Committee faced was how to sustain interest and support for Singapore 21. To achieve this, we need to strike a balance between doing enough to keep the momentum of Singapore 21 going, but not doing too much that the message becomes stale, and people tire of the speeches.
14. One idea we decided to try was to launch a Singapore 21 logo. DPM Lee Hsien Loong launched this when he spoke at the Singapore 21 seminar organised by Ang Mo Kio - Cheng San Community Development Council in January this year. The logo, which you see on the banner behind me, symbolises Singapore's multi-racial society living in harmony as one family. We hope that organisations who believe in the Singapore 21 vision would incorporate this logo into their event banners or advertisements. The logo is never imposed on anyone or any group. Its use is purely voluntary. It is a symbol of affiliation: to be used as an affirmation of the same ideals and an expression of affinity with the same goals.
15. This is the way we believe the Singapore 21 idea can grow: not by a top down directive and push, but rather through bottom up initiative and association. We believe that Singapore 21 can be a sustaining and empowering idea, if those who believe in it come forward to identify with the idea, and to claim this as their foundation for the future. By their example, others will be encouraged to follow.
Singapore 21 Survey
Ladies and gentlemen:
16. One year is a short time to see results in an effort as sweeping and fundamental as Singapore 21. But in order that we have some idea of how we are progressing, the Facilitation Committee commissioned a survey in June this year to gauge the response of Singaporeans after a year of quiet and concerted effort by the early adopters of this vision.
17. The results of the survey are encouraging and instructive. Let me now share some of the key findings with you.
18. Firstly, although there was no all-out campaign to promote Singapore 21, many people are aware of this idea. About one in three persons could recall the idea of Singapore 21 without prompting, and most of them associated Singapore 21 with building a better society for the future. Although one in three may seem a low number numerically, statistically this is a significant level for unaided recall. Furthermore, these respondents were able to recognise one or more of the 5 core ideas of Singapore 21, with the highest numbers recalling the principle of strong families as the foundation of our society, and the value that everyone matters.
19. This is an encouraging result, and affirms for the committee that the approach we have taken - that is of not being impatient for results, but of slowly widening the circle of supporters through personal contact and encouragement - is slowly, but surely, showing progress.
20. Secondly, although a clear majority - some 68% of the total sample surveyed - say that they have a role in realising the Singapore 21 vision, nine out of ten still look to the government to take the lead. From the anecdotes we hear, this may reflect a public feeling that the government should show the way, and lead by example.
21. The facilitation committee noted felt that many government policies were indeed in support of Singapore 21 ideals - such as policies that create opportunities through skills re-training and education, or policies that were pro-family. But more should be done to carry this message to the public. Managing public perceptions are just as important as setting the right policies.
22. It is therefore important that at this time, when we are still building public awareness and solidarity with the Singapore 21 vision, that the government is seen to be doing its part, and perceived to be leading by example. In this respect, the committee feels that it is useful for the public service to explain, wherever applicable, how Singapore 21 values are part of the rationale and driving force behind government policies and programs. I am confident that this is being done, and will be apparent over time.
23. However, it is also important for civic and civil society organisations, as well as the private sector, to do the same. By publicly endorsing and visibly supporting Singapore 21 in their activities and programs, they can also promote public understanding that Singapore 21 is a collaborative effort that involves everyone. The spirit of Singapore 21 is partnership, a "we" approach, with each trying to help the other out to achieve shared goals.
24. Thirdly, there is a significant minority, almost 1 in 4, who are sceptical about Singapore 21, who saw it as government propaganda. Many reasons can be put forward to explain this, but I shall not speculate at this time why they are so. A certain degree of scepticism whenever we rally people to look beyond parochial interests to the well being of the larger community is not unexpected. If this scepticism is about means rather than ends, about the way we are trying to achieve our goals, rather than the ideals of the Singapore 21 vision itself, it can play a useful role. Critical feedback provides a reality check, so that our own rhetoric doesn't carry us away.
25. But we have to face squarely any scepticism about our goals. Those who are against the ideals of Singapore 21 must be prepared to say why they hold such views, and not just disparage the good and sincere efforts of others. Singapore 21 ideas are foundational issues. It is a serious debate. If we intend to build our social capital on these fundamentals, we must be prepared to be honest with ourselves. If our values and goals are wrong, we owe it to future generations to try to put them right. But if these ideas are right, then we must stand up for them and make sure we succeed.
26. The same statistic also shows that 42% have not made up their minds whether or not to embrace Singapore 21. This issue cannot be left undecided. We chose our future. We build our future. Whatever society emerges in the future is a sum of our choices today. And not deciding is really deciding. The questions we ask ourselves are these: if Singapore 21 is not the right set of foundational values, then what is? And if it is not up to each Singaporean to realise this vision, then who will?
Building Social Capital in the New Economy
Ladies and gentlemen:
27. The survey shows that while we have made progress, much work remains to be done. The challenges of the 21st century are not just economic. The social challenge is just as great.
28. Thirty-five years ago our desperate condition united us as a people because the consequences of failure were too fearful to contemplate. Today, we have a robust economy, the capacity to defend our sovereignty and freedom, and a stable society. A younger generation believes that all of this, the peace and growth, will continue because we are now strong. To them, we have arrived. Have we?
29. It is not a bad thing that a younger generation feels this way. It is a measure of how far we have progressed. But our economic strength masks social weaknesses. Although we have amassed economic capital, our social capital in relative terms is less. And the forces of globalisation that will test our economic strength can also unmask the weaknesses in our society.
30. Globalisation will draw us in different directions. It offers choices of work, rewards and lifestyles never before possible. Intense competition can make us more focused on our own needs, and lessen our attention to build bonds and bridges with friends and community. And because the economy is focused on economic measurements, it can mislead us into thinking that life is measured just in terms of wealth, and relationships defined only by the terms of contracts.
31. But life is much more than this. Our quality of life can never be measured by how much we have. Nor can peace and stability be assured by how many guns we can buy. Camaraderie, solidarity, trust, happiness, fulfilment are qualities that hold a people together. And unless we hold together, no new economy can bring us wealth or prosperity.
32. This is why we need to increase our social capital to cope with the new economy. Singapore 21 is about achieving this goal - of strengthening the social glue that makes us not just a diverse collection of immigrants and their descendents, but a nation. Singapore 21 affirms our key values, and directs us to build the bonds and bridges that hold us together as a community.
33. This social challenge is not unique to Singapore. Others are also struggling with it. In his new book, Bowling Alone, Professor Robert Putnam writes about the recent decline of community involvement in the United States. He examines critically the factors that have caused this decline, and argues forcefully why it is important that it be reversed. His analysis of the causes, consequences and remedies has remarkable parallels in Singapore. Whatever our culture, the need for strong ties that hold people together is stronger in the new economy than ever before.
34. Professor Putnam's conclusion is that institutional changes, important as they are, are not enough to build such social cohesion. Each individual has to put in personal effort to build such ties. In his concluding words to his American readers, he says that they need to do this, "not because it will be good for America - though it will be - but because it will be good for us".
35. His words sum up the spirit and reason for Singapore 21: "not because it will be good for Singapore - though it will be - but because it will be good for each of us".
36. Singapore 21 expresses our hope for a better life, by building a stronger society. It is a future worth working for. In English, there is a phrase - where there's a will, there's a way. In Malay, we say "kalau ada kemauan, tentu ada jalan". In Chinese we say "you xin jiu you li". And in Tamil we say "manam undaal vazhi undu".
37. I hope that today's seminar will encourage you further in your efforts, and that you will not tire in putting Singapore 21 to work.
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