Speech by President Halimah Yacob for Shaping Hearts 2022

Desmond Choo

Mayor of North East District

Grassroots Adviser to Tampines GROs

Dr Koh Poh Koon

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Manpower

Grassroots Adviser to Tampines GROs

Distinguished Guests

Good morning to all. It is my pleasure to launch Shaping Hearts 2022 today.

I want to begin by congratulating the North East Community Development Council (NE CDC) for organising this year’s edition of Shaping Hearts. I understand that Shaping Hearts is Singapore’s largest inclusive arts festival.

The past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted many aspects of our daily lives and it was especially challenging for persons with disabilities. For example, they faced challenges in attending art therapy sessions due to safe management measures. Artists with disabilities  had fewer opportunities to showcase their works. Persons with disabilities and their caregivers had to adapt.

The critical role that CDCs play was especially important during the pandemic. CDCs supported the ground pandemic response, including the distribution of TraceTogether tokens, masks, and several other assistance programmes for vulnerable residents. To complement national assistance programmes, NE CDC swiftly delivered district level assistance schemes to support lower income families. These include the Kong Meng San-CDC COVID-19 Relief Fund, WeCare financial assistance, and employment support for unemployed individuals. This would not have been possible without the strong network of corporate donors that CDCs have developed over the years. Through the network and bonds built by People’s Association and the CDCs, assistance was rendered quickly, and as one community.

Beyond crisis situations, NE CDC has also been actively championing localised initiatives and developing targeted programmes to support different community groups, including families in need, unemployed individuals and persons with disabilities.

As our nation returns to normalcy, and larger gatherings resume, inclusive platforms like Shaping Hearts help to bring our community together to encourage, understand and appreciate one another through the arts.

The arts is a space where different Singaporeans can come together. Through the creative space, we can build inclusive communities to embrace one another, regardless of disabilities and personal challenges. Each artwork and performance are a testament to the artists’ talent, struggle, and determination. Every individual art piece is unique, but the exhibition delivers a harmonious visual masterpiece when showcased together.

Likewise, building a more inclusive society is a collective effort. One and a half months ago, we launched the Enabling Masterplan 2030, or the EMP2030. It sets out our collective vision for Singapore as an inclusive society by 2030. Developed by, for and with persons of disabilities and their caregivers, EMP 2030, aims to enhance opportunities for lifelong learning, enable independent living and ensure physical and social environments are accessible to all. We wish to empower person with disabilities at all life stages, help them maximise their potential and achieve their aspirations.

An example of such collective efforts can be seen in the partnership between NE CDC and MINDS, NE CDC’s Community Employment Programme and Inclusive Employment. The programme creates employment opportunities for persons with disabilities within the community with roles in the community gardens and the community clubs. To date, the programme has deployed 10 persons with disabilities into community jobs in Tampines. By May 2023, 20 persons with disabilities will be deployed to community jobs across more divisions in the North East. These individuals gain work experience near their homes, allowing them to build their confidence and skills for future employment. If every constituency and the businesses within the constituency employ a few persons with disabilities, we will see a multiplier effect.

Every one of us plays an important role in building an inclusive Singapore. It starts from us, understanding our differences and appreciating the beauty of our diversity. We can do our part by being more aware and considerate to the needs of persons with disabilities around us through simple gestures. When we see someone with mobility difficulties, we can help them by holding the door or the lift. If we know of caregivers around us that are going through a tough time, let’s not forget to show our care and give words of encouragement to them. Some caregivers have shared with me that they are afraid of bringing their loved ones out for fear that they might breakdown in public. Hence it is important for us to show compassion and empathy when we do come across such situations.

Besides fostering partnerships and individual actions, we can do more to build an inclusive community through the Arts. Arts has the power to move and inspire. It can transform the way we relate to one another. It can be a medium to shape our community into being inclusive and embracing, regardless of disabilities and personal challenges. I encourage our community partners and companies to use Arts to build a more inclusive Singapore. Inclusive arts platforms like Shaping Hearts can bring our community together to show encouragement, understand and appreciate each other.

As Singapore’s largest inclusive arts festival, North East CDC has brought together 13 corporate donors, 22 social service agencies and over 150 artists with disabilities to showcase more than 270 art pieces and 15 performance displays to date. Everyone involved plays a pivotal role in celebrating the works and achievements of a diverse group of artists.

This includes Chalmers, a participating artist of Shaping Hearts. Chalmers was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism when he was 18 months old. Although he has auditory processing issues and speech and developmental delay, he has a talent in painting and sand art. He is also a drummer, pianist, and bowler who has emerged as champion in several national competitions. With his talent in painting and music, Chalmers managed to go against the odds to make a name for himself as an artist.

Shaping Hearts is an important platform that brings our community together to recognise the talents of our artists with disabilities. It gives aspiring artists with disabilities like Chalmers a stage to showcase their abilities, share their works and stories.

I thank all partners and donors for contributing towards “Shaping Hearts 2022”. This is a valuable opportunity for these artists to fulfill their potential and express themselves through these inspiring art pieces.  Together, let us continue to build an inclusive and caring society for everyone.

Thank you.