Where it all began

In August 1997, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong launched the Singapore 21 Committee. Its role was to strengthen the "heartware" of Singapore in the 21st century - the intangibles of society like social cohesion, political stability and the collective will, values and attitudes of Singaporeans.

Chaired by Minister for Education and 2nd Minister for Defence, Rear-Admiral Teo Chee Hean, the Committee comprised 10 Members of Parliament, who in turn co-chaired 5 subject committees. In all, the main Committee and the subject committees were made up of 83 members drawn from different walks of life, including businessmen, volunteers in welfare and community organisations, professionals and others.

The discussions were structured around 5 apparent dilemmas that Singaporeans would have to face as individuals, families, communities and as a nation.

The 5 dilemmas were:

• Less Stressful Life vs Retaining the Drive
• Needs of Senior Citizens vs Aspirations of the Young
• Attracting Talent vs Looking After Singaporeans
• Internationalisation/Regionalisation vs Singapore as Home
• Consultation and Consensus vs Decisiveness and Quick Action

In the course of its deliberations, the Singapore 21 Committee conducted more than 80 forums, carried out surveys and maintained a website in order to solicit the views of Singaporeans on the issues. In all, some 6,000 Singaporeans were involved in the Singapore 21 process.

From the many discussions, views and perspectives, the Singapore 21 Committee has distilled 5 key ideas which form the Singapore 21 vision:

• Every Singaporean Matters
• Opportunities For All
• Strong Families: Our Foundation and Our Future
• The Singapore Heartbeat
• Active Citizens: Making a Difference to Society
  

Since the launch of the Singapore 21 vision in April 1999, a 21-member facilitation committee made up of representatives in the public, private and people sectors has been formed.

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