Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Singapore Kindness Movement 21st Anniversary Dinner

Minister Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Advisor to Singapore Kindness Movement

Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information, and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

Mr. Koh Poh Tiong, Chairman of Singapore Kindness Movement

Dr. William Wan, General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement

            
Distinguished Guests          

Ladies and Gentlemen

            Good evening. It is my pleasure to join you in celebrating 21 years of the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM). Congratulations on your anniversary! 

We may question why it is important to have such a movement when being kind is part of human nature. Sometimes we may unconsciously hurt others. SKM serves as a timely reminder to be kind and put ourselves in other’s shoes. This will build stronger relationships and make the world a happier place.

            In 1997, the SKM was launched in response to then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong’s call for Singapore to become a gracious society by the 21^stcentury. While Singapore has developed a strong economy in a short period of time, we needed to do more to show consideration for others. The SKM’s objectives are simple: to encourage everyone to start, show and share kindness. 

            Anyone can be kind. Acts of kindness are often accompanied by emotional warmth and allow us to build relationships with one another. When we show kindness to one another, we bridge social divide, and make our home a better place. This is especially important in light of our ageing population, a transforming economy, and polarising sentiments picked up from abroad,especially online. These are powerful forces that could pull societies apart. But if we show care and kindness to people around us, our society will be more united, and we can progress together as one people. 

            To inspire kindness, the SKM has been supporting various Ground Up Movements or GUMs. These are examples of ordinary Singaporeans who have risen up to make an extraordinary difference. Just recently on Deepavali, five volunteers from #itsrainingraincoats distributed 150 pizzas and several boxes of doughnuts to migrant workers at construction sites. This is a thoughtful way of thanking migrant workers for their contributions to Singapore. It is really nice to see many doing their part to raise our sense of compassion, care and consideration for people who work to make our lives better, instead of taking them for granted. 

            Another GUM is The Volunteer Switchboard, a social enterprise that partners different organisations to create impactful volunteering opportunities. Since 2013, The Volunteer Switchboard has engaged the community and mobilised volunteers, including some 350 children, to distribute food items to 800 elderly residents at Jalan Kukoh every month. Some of these volunteers live at Jalan Kukoh too. This is an excellent example of how SKM is supporting GUMs to promote neighbourliness and social integration.Ordinary acts of kindness that come from the heart showcases our support and consideration for one another. We have to develop a social network of empathy and compassion. 

            These stories tell us that being kind is something anyone and everyone can do. It does not need to be a big act; it only needs to be genuine. Through small steps, all of us can make a difference.Let usstart by showing consideration and care to people around us in our everyday lives, extending a helping hand to our neighbours, or volunteering our time and skills for a cause. Being kind to our families is also very important. Kindness starts at home and then we can enlarge that circle of kindness to our neighbours and at work. As parents, we play a critical function in moulding values of compassion and empathy early and encouraging our children to be kind to each other. This will help us to prevent bullying in schools and reduce the negative impact in our society. Together we can build a caring and inclusive society. 

            I would like to thank SKM and its partners – thank you for your dedication and commitment in building a gracious Singapore. I would also like to take this opportunity to challenge SKM to continue bringing out the best in everyone, and make caring part of Singapore’s DNA.

            Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your evening!