Call on youth to help shape Singapore in 2065

By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 3 Nov 2014

EVEN as Singapore marks its 50th anniversary next year, youth should look further to when their country turns 100, and consider how they can shape what it would be like by 2065, Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing said.

But to do so, they need to be aware of developments in the outside world, for Singapore is heavily affected by what happens elsewhere, he told 130 youth at a dialogue in Woodlands yesterday.

Mr Chan suggested they adopt four As to help make sense of what they see and read: be aware, analyse the issues, apply lessons from elsewhere to Singapore's context and think of alternatives.

"Never be a frog in the well, concerned with only our own issues," he said, citing a Chinese proverb. "Never keep our eyes off the ball of what is happening elsewhere which may impact us."

Several students brought up melting polar ice caps and the Ebola pandemic in West Africa as current matters they were aware of.

Mr Chan welcomed their interest, noting that these can affect Singapore if a new Arctic route shifts shipping away from Singapore's port, or if Ebola turns into a global pandemic.

Turning to another scenario, he said a severe global economic crisis may see Singaporeans lose their jobs, which would affect whether the young could achieve their dreams and ambitions. This is why, he said, it was "important to keep abreast of events elsewhere, try to pre-empt their impact on Singapore and make sure we can ride the tide of the world and continue to succeed".

Mr Chan also made the point that people's success depended not just on hard work and talent but also on the opportunities they were given by society, and this was why those who are more successful should help those who are less successful.

This public-spiritedness can help youth develop a sense of ownership and rootedness in the country, he said in reply to a question from Ms Stuti Datta, 22.

Ms Datta, a final-year chemical engineering student at the National University of Singapore, had asked why Mr Chan returned to Singapore after studying in Cambridge. She said many of her friends overseas showed no signs of wanting to return.

Mr Chan said: "There will be economic sojourners in this world, people who say: 'I stay because the place gives me the opportunities'. But will I stay to create opportunities for my fellow man? If we have that, then I think we can have a 2065 (for Singapore)."

Post by Chan Chun Sing.

What will Singapore be in 2065? Youths share their vision
Addressing youth at Our Singapore 2065 dialogue, Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing reminded them of the importance of giving back to society.
By Vimita Mohandas, Channel NewsAsia, 2 Nov 2014

Envisioning what Singapore will be in the next 50 years and understanding the efforts needed to build it - that was the aim of the 'Our Singapore 2065' dialogue on Sunday (Nov 2).

Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing attended the dialogue. He addressed some 160 youth at the session after a ministerial community visit to Woodlands.

An astronaut, a leading defence scientist, a magician - these were what some of the students at the dialogue aspired to be. Mr Chan said these "bold" choices reflect a spirit of adventure, which is good for the nation.

But he also reminded students about the importance of giving back to society. He said: "While they all pursue their dreams, we must never forget that beyond our hard work and talent, it's the society that enables us to fulfil our dreams and therefore it's important and incumbent upon those who have succeeded to contribute back to society to bring everybody forward.

"The second thing, which I'm very happy to see from their answers, is that they are not waiting for someone to fulfil their dreams for them. They all believe that whether it's at the individual, community or society level, they all can play a part to fulfil those dreams of theirs. So they want to take charge, they want to contribute."

At the discussions, students also shared their vision for Singapore. Justin Lam said: "I would like to see the continuous growth of Singapore in a general sense - like infrastructure-wise, economy-wise, security-wise. As we know we are just this little red dot located in the world and (with) what surrounds us it's very important how well we develop and grow in the next few years. In order for that to happen, we must have the foresight and anticipation towards upcoming happenings."

Redevelopments plans in Woodlands were also discussed at the dialogue. MP for Sembawang GRC Ellen Lee said residents in this area can look forward to newer flats, shopping areas and even office buildings in the coming years. And in the next 50 years, she said she would like to see more bus and MRT stations to make travel more seamless for Woodlands residents.

She said: "For those who have been living here for the past 20 years or so, they have not seen any new developments other than Causeway Point and Civic Centre, and they feel like, in terms of facilities, we are quite backward because they have to travel out of Woodlands to go to Tampines Mall or Jurong or downtown."

Plans to turn the district into a vibrant residential and business hub were revealed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) last year.