Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre City Of Good Appreciation Luncheon

Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth,

Mrs Mildred Tan, Chairman, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC),

Ms Melissa Kwee, CEO, NVPC,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you at today’s luncheon. Today’s event is an occasion for us to honour and celebrate all of you for serving the community and making a significant difference in the lives of others.  

The President's Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards (PVPA) have been given out since 2012. Over the years, PVPA has continued to evolve in tandem with the ever-changing giving landscape. With the launch of City of Good, NVPC has taken this year to refine plans for PVPA 2020 and beyond, to better recognise and spur on individuals, organisations and leaders who have exhibited an outstanding spirit of giving, in addition to impactful partnerships.

I am glad to see many former PVPA winners here, along with partners from the public, private and people sectors. As we commemorate our nation’s Bicentennial this year, it is a good opportunity for us to reflect on how different individuals and communities have come together to help the less fortunate throughout history. Today, this determination to care for one another remains a part of our Singaporean DNA. We should continue to use our strengths and prosperity for the good of others. 

This is what the City of Good vision is all about. It aims to bring individuals, organisations and leaders together to give their best for others. It encourages us to look beyond ourselves and to cultivate a kinder, more caring and giving society. 

This vision fuels the Singapore Cares (SG Cares) movement, deepening the value of care as part of our national identity, where each of us play a part in big ways and small, contributing to the greater good. 

This is the kind of home that Singaporeans want for ourselves, and for our future generations.During Our Singapore Conversation some years ago, many expressed the aspiration for us to be a society that takes care of the disadvantaged and leaves no group behind, with strong social safety nets complemented by a culture of volunteerism. More recently, in the 2018 National Values Assessment study, Singaporeans identified values such as compassion and respect, and care for the elderly, disadvantaged, and environment, as their top values. This sense of priority is also reflected in our youth. Throughout engagements for the SG Youth Action Plan, youths have repeatedly highlighted “care” as one of the most important values in a Singapore they aspire to in 2025. There is also a strong desire among Singaporeans to give back, with 7 in 10 intending to volunteer in the future, and 9 in 10 intending to donate. As the patron of the Youth Corps Singapore, I have also observed an increase in the number of youth volunteers. This is a really good sign, as it shows that our youths are engaged and that they care. Care is clearly a unifying value, one that is embraced by people of all races, religions, ages and countries of origin. And this reminds me of MdmNoriza A. Mansor, who won the first Straits Times Singaporean of the Year award for helping an elderly stranger, Mr Tan Soy Yong, when he soiled himself in public. This story left a deep impression on me as it showed how compassionate people can be, in helping others without expecting anything in return. 

At the same time, the issues we face are constantly evolving, which can pose wide-ranging and complex challenges. With our ageing population, we are grappling with how to best support our fellow Singaporeans as they age and retire. We need to find ways to deal with issues such as social isolation and mental health problems amongst our seniors. We want their silver years to be filled with meaning and purpose, as they remain active at work or in the community. Many of us also care deeply about social cohesion and mobility. We want to ensure that no one gets left behind as Singapore progresses, and that there are opportunities for all regardless of background or status. This year, Singapore successfully organised The International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS), where thought leaders from all over the world came together to discuss the meaning of social cohesion in their countries and how to strengthen it. Apart from more diverse needs, we also see diverse aspirations from our people.  Many are keen to pursue a variety of passions like sports or the arts. Many are unafraid to take the untrodden paths to success. 

This is why building a City of Good is not only the responsibility of a select few, but a duty we all share. It is about building a Singapore all of us aspire towards, and it is something we must do together. The sustainable development of Singapore requires partnerships. Organisations and institutions can step forward to offer not just resources, but also their expertise and skills. Indeed, they can bring others on this journey with them, by encouraging others to play their part through active volunteerism in the community. Volunteering can be a powerful platform to forge greater bonds across society. I have come across many companies which donate money and mobilise all their employees to volunteer at social service agencies (SSAs) in Singapore. This is very important as it gives each and every individual the opportunity to do good.

A good example is Project i2Eye, the result of an encounter between clinical scientist Dr Rupesh Agrawal and Associate Professor Peter Pang of NUS at last year’s PVPA dinner where they were both being honoured as winners. Both Dr Rupesh and A/P Peter Pang share a common vision of fostering a culture of community service among youth, and empowering them to promote health in the wider society. Project i2Eye is the first and only medical Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP) from NUS to India. Dr Rupesh mentored 15 NUS students who travelled to Odisha in East India this May to conduct free health screenings for 1,059 locals, with the help of local student volunteers. 

Another good example is a collaboration between law firm TSMP Law Corporation and community organisation Cassia Resettlement Team. Recognising that more than 10,000 Singaporeans are expected to require end-of-life care by 2020, TSMP Law Corporation partnered with volunteers from the Cassia Resettlement Team this July to host a block party for over 120 seniors at 52 Cassia Crescent, to break the taboo of discussing end-of-life issues. Not only did TSMP Law Corporation help to organise food and games, its lawyers educated seniors on end-of-life issues such as Lasting Power of Attorney, advanced medical directives and wills. 

The spirit of collaboration is a common thread running through all our previous PVPA winners, and our partners here. I hope you will continue to work with one another as well as bring others along with you in the journey, so that you can multiply your impact. When I was the Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, I asked Mdm Jainah Binte Awang, who is with us today, to help to prepare freshly cooked meals for residents living in rental flats once or twice a week. As members of the community, we can do a lot to help others and can derive a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment from doing so.

I would like to conclude by once again thanking NVPC for organising this event, and showing us how together, we can build a City of Good in Singapore and a caring home that supports one another. We can all agree that doing good to others is not a duty, it is a joy, for it increases our own health and happiness.

I wish you all a wonderful lunch. Thank you.