Opening Speech by Mr David T E Lim, Minister of State for Defence and Information and the Arts, Chairman, Singapore 21 Facilitation Committee for the Singapore 21 Conference on 30 June 2001 at 9am, SUNTEC City


1. Two years have gone by since we shared the S21 Vision with Singaporeans. We have made some progress

2. When it was first launched, S21 received a mixed response.

3. Some were cynical or skeptical. They disparaged it as government propaganda and superficial ideas that said nothing new.

4. Others were apathetic and disinterested. They dismissed it as just another campaign, and predicted that the 5 ideas were slogans that would soon be forgotten.

5. Then there were those who embraced it for their own goals. They jumped on the bandwagon, and called for more attention to their individual needs under the banner that if every Singaporean matters, their demands must therefore be met.

6. A number felt left out, seeing Singapore 21 as a set of high-minded ideals expounded by English speaking civil society activists.

7. But happily, there were also some that understood and believed in the core ideas of Singapore 21: that it is about individuals and groups taking the initiative and doing their part to make the vision a reality. And they did.

8. Over the past 2 years, more people and organizations have stood up and acted on the ideas and ideals of Singapore 21. Many have done so quietly, and without fanfare, but doing what they believe to be useful and worthwhile.

9. This morning, you will hear from 3 of such persons. These 3 accounts do not measure progress in a very scientific way. We cannot say what percentage of Singaporeans support Singapore 21, or how effective their actions have been.

10. But we have never thought of Singapore 21 as a short-term campaign, and we should not seek to measure Singapore 21's progress in this way. It isn't something straightforward and obvious like encouraging people not to spit or litter. Rather, Singapore 21 is a long-term direction that lifts our ambitions beyond economic and material goals. It envisages a future society that is built on strong emotional ties to family and country, and strong social ties where everyone plays his or her part in making more opportunities for fulfillment possible.

11. After 2 years, some of this vision has taken root. While we are not yet that future society, we are moving towards it. We are more aware, more active, more giving, and more accepting that results will take time.

12. The S21 Facilitation Committee was prepared from the start for patient work. We did not want a campaign. Our goal was to facilitate by giving encouragement and not by issuing instructions. We wanted to create awareness, not promote slogans. And we hoped for actions, not just lip service support.

13. The S21 FC is happy to see that its approach has worked in a number of ways.

14. Firstly, companies and groups are taking the initiative to organize activities that support the ideas behind Singapore 21. There is an increasing appreciation that S21 is not a top-down process, but bottom up.

15. Second, the focus of these efforts is on getting people to get involved and to contribute. It is giving, not receiving. But I am sure that those who give, are also receiving much satisfaction, and getting the emotional and social returns that they are looking for.

16. Thirdly, these efforts are guided by a shared direction, and set of values embodied in the 5 key tenets of Singapore 21. Not every effort seeks to promote all 5 tenets. Each activity has a different focus. But collectively, they are all working in the direction of Singapore 21.

17. These actions show that the approach taken is bearing fruit. I would like to thank the media for publicizing these initiatives and efforts. In so doing, they not only encourage groups and individuals who are already involved and contributing to Singapore 21, but also help to inspire others to similarly get involved and to contribute.

18. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the S21 Facilitation Committee for the work they have done. Over the last 2 years, I am glad to say that committee members have been actively reaching out to these groups. They have conducted surveys, organized talks and seminars, and shared their own ideas and experiences. They have helped to bring the Singapore 21 message to the heartlands. They have been marvelous Singapore 21 ambassadors, and I would like to thank them all.

19. As facilitators, our job is to get the people, private and public sectors fired up and moving along. Eventually, we should work ourselves out of a job, and let the work continue through the efforts of many individuals and groups in these sectors.

20. Today's conference is entitled "Heartbeats in Action". We chose it to emphasize two cornerstones ideas of Singapore 21. "Heartbeats" represents the passion, commitment and human touch that are needed to realize the ideals of Singapore 21. "Action" is our clarion call to put turn good intentions into reality.

21. One good example of heartbeats in actions is today's conference cum fair. The National Volunteers Council, in support of this S21 conference, and to mark the International Year of Volunteers this year, has organized a fair, entitled "The Wonderful World of Volunteers". I want to thank all the volunteers who put in many hours of hard work to make this possible. I hope that all of you attending today's conference will join DPM Lee immediately after this conference at the Entertainment Atrium, which is just a short walk away, where he will officially open the fair.

22. I also want to thank all Singaporeans, as individuals and in groups, who have supported the Singapore 21 vision these past two years. You have been "heartbeats in action".

23. Those who share this vision can further demonstrate their support today. In conjunction with our National Day celebrations, the National Day Parade Executive Committee has organized a signature collection program for what they call "Our Vision", which incorporates the 5 Singapore 21 tenets. I would like to encourage all of you who believe in the S21 vision to sign the statement, which will be on display later at the Volunteers Fair.

24. Whatever the cynics or scoffers may say, Singapore 21 is not a small, superficial programme that only a few do-gooders engage in. Singapore 21 is a big, ambitious goal to transform our society, to bring us from country to nation. It requires both patience and ambition.

25. To achieve it, we need to persevere, and to encourage each other through sharing. This is what we would now do. We have asked 3 speakers this morning to share with you an insight of their "heartbeats in action". Their stories do not represent the efforts of the many thousands of Singaporeans who are actively supporting Singapore 21, each in their own way. Those efforts cover too wide and diverse a range of contributions to be summarized in an hour. But I hope their example will give you a flavour of the diversity of efforts and encourage you, in your own way, to contribute towards a better future society for all.