During the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged Singaporeans to strengthen our bonds with one another and build a “we-first” society.
Through the arts, sports, and civic participation, here are three ways forward to build a caring and cohesive nation.
Bridging communities through the arts and sports
Sport is a social magnet that can bring Singaporeans from all walks of life together and foster inclusion. The government is determined to make it more accessible and inclusive.
By 2028, inclusive sports will be available in all mainstream schools. This is part of the refreshed Disability Sports Master Plan. Active Ageing Centres will also introduce adaptive sports and strength training programmes to our seniors.
MCCY intends to bring arts and heritage closer to all Singaporeans through initiatives such as ArtsEverywhere@CDC, which provides free performances and workshops in the heartlands.
To grow the arts and sports scene in Singapore, the government will introduce new scholarships to support youths in their ambitions in these areas.
Promoting volunteering and civic participation
A “we-first” society is one where those who have done well give back, and where success is measured by how we uplift others.
The government intends to promote volunteering as a way of life through SG Cares Volunteer Centres and Youth Corps Singapore. It will also partner with the Singapore Business Federation to grow corporate volunteerism.
To build a democracy of deeds, there will also be more opportunities for Singaporeans to propose and implement new solutions.
MCCY, for instance, have been engaging young Singaporeans to create the SG Youth Plan together. The five-year initiative will help amplify the voices of our youths and support them in their aspirations and needs.
Strengthening social cohesion
In a divided world, the risks of racial and religious polarisation are more acute than ever. If left unchecked, these fault lines can threaten our social cohesion.
To protect our long held, and cherished race and religious harmony, the government will continue to enlarge our common space so that people of all races and religions can interact and nurture mutual respect.
The refreshed *SCAPE, which is set to open in November, and the development of the Somerset Belt will expand opportunities for youths from diverse backgrounds to meet and bond.
At the same time, the government will strengthen laws to prevent extremists from radicalising our youth and inciting violence.
Later in the year, MHA will introduce the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill to tackle emerging crime trends. There are also plans to amend the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act to counter the evolving threat of foreign interference.
Lastly, MHA will work with MOE and the SGSecure Programme Office to sensitise students and school staff to indicators of radicalisation and the importance of early reporting.
