Key Content:
Role of government in working for the good of society
Maintaining Internal Order and External Security
Ensuring Justice
Providing Goods and Services for the Public
Safeguarding Interests of Citizens
Role of citizens in working for the good of society
Avenues of citizen participation
Channels of communication between citizens and government
Individual participation
Organized groups
Outcomes of public participation
Contributing to needs of society
Influencing government decisions
Strengthening citizens’ sense of belonging
Both the government and citizens can work together for the good of society. The government makes decisions which shape policies and programmes that address the needs and interests of society. However, citizens can also work with the government, either as individuals or as groups, for the good of the society.
The government makes decisions which shape policies and programmes that address the needs and interests of the society, thus contributing towards the good of the society and growth of the country.
MAINTAINING INTERNAL ORDER AND EXTERNAL SECURITY
Internal security
Agencies such as the police, prisons and civil defense forces protect citizens, property and anything the society believes should be protected.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is responsible for maintaining internal order and security.
E.g. Singapore Police Force (SPF) protects people who live in Singapore from crime and criminal harm, including terrorist threats and public disorder such as riots.
E.g. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) provides fire-fighting, rescue and emergency preventing undesirable people and goods from entering Singapore.
External security
Government bodies such as the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) are responsible for maintaining external security through Deterrence and Diplomacy.
MINDEF is responsible for maintaining external security by managing the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) which consists of the Army, Navy and Air Force to strengthen Singapore's defence and deter enemies from attacking Singapore.
MFA is responsible for maintaining external security by formulating and implementing Singapore's foreign policy to protect and advance Singapore's national interests. This is done so by diplomacy, where strong partnerships and good relations are established with other countries at bilateral and multi-lateral levels.
Bilateral -> Having a good working relationship between two countries. E.g. Singapore's collaboration with Malaysia to build a Rapid Transit System.
Multilateral -> Partnering and developing close working relations with more than two countries E.g. Singapore's involvement in ASEAN and UN.
Why is it important that we maintain Internal and External Security?
Important duty of government to ensure peace and security for future development of SG
Ensures Singaporeans feel safe and secure and allows institutions, businesses, amenities and daily activities to operate efficiently and safely
ENSURING JUSTICE
With the presence of the Judiciary, Singaporeans can have confidence that the courts will judge people fairly.
E.g. Family justice courts provide guidelines on what is defined as family violence, who can apply for a Personal Protection Order, how to apply and the actions that can be taken by the courts.
This ensures that there is peace and harmony within the society. Singaporeans can trust that fair and appropriate actions will be taken with trust that the government will enforce it.
PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC
Provided or subsidized by the government so that all citizens can have access to them and ensure their well-being.
Government devotes significant resources to improve wellbeing of citizens and they enjoy the benefits.
E.g. Public transportation -> more connections and better services to serve the people and allow places to be connected = more convenience and accessibility
Working towards a people centered public transport system and enhancing commuter experience e.g. bus arrival info etc.
Accessibility and convenience for all results in better experiences
SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF CITIZENS
Interest of citizens can be safeguarded in various ways such as ensuring that there is a sense of security about living in this country.
When this is achieved, government is able to ensure a peace of mind among citizens regarding the future of the country
E.g. The government introduced the Work Right Initiative to help both employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities. The initiative defines the rights of workers so that they cannot be abused by their employers, and also defines the rights of employers.
E.g. Central Provident Funds (CPF) – help Singaporeans prepare for retirement by enabling them to finance their housing and healthcare needs. CPF ensures that Singaporeans have sufficient money for their housing and healthcare needs and also serves as a source of lifelong income in retirement.
Singaporeans will be convinced that the government cares for them and will have a sense of security living in Singapore. Singaporeans will be able to look past short-term inconveniences, to cooperate and support policies that will benefit Singapore in the long term, resulting in stability in Singapore.
While the government is responsible for taking care of all the needs of citizens, citizens can and should do more to contribute to society. As citizens participate more actively in shaping outcomes in society, they become more conscious of how they complement government actions. Their sense of belonging could strengthen as they feel they have a role to play in the development of the country.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE NEEDS OF THE SOCIETY
Contributing as Individuals
Individuals may contribute in areas they are passionate or concerned about.
They could be involved in volunteering, contributing effort, and money towards meaningful social causes they are concerned about because they may feel their actions will be helpful and beneficial to society.
Their contributions have a positive impact and benefit many people directly, and their actions can also inspire others to make similar improvements for the society.
Individuals can contribute in areas such as:
"A litter a time" programme encourages citizens to go the extra mile and pick up a piece of litter a day.
Volunteering time to help the needy in Singapore, such as by volunteering with CDAC to give free tuition to needy students.
Empowering people with intellectual disability and aid their integration into society by volunteering with Project Dignity.
Sponsoring/ Donating to welfare organisations, such as by donating to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Particpating in other meaningful causes ... think about what causes you are interested in!
Contributing as Organised Groups
Citizens with common interests organise themselves into groups to contribute towards the needs of society.
This allows people to pool their efforts, ideas, and resources together to be used for the good of society.
Organised groups can be formal or informal groups.
Formal Groups
Formal groups are organisations formally registered with the government with clear objectives.
They are often addressing a long term objective.
E.g. Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)/ Civil Society Organisation
Animal Concern Research and Education Centre (AWARE)
ACRES is devoted to preventing and stamping out animal abuse. The agency is a strong advocate of protecting the rights of animals.
Nature Society of Singapore (NSS)
NSS is devoted to promoting the conservation of the natural heritage and environment in Singapore and neighbouring regions, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
NSS organises nature walks, bird-watching and butterfly watching tours, and also promotes overseas eco-tourism.
Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME)
HOME was established to help foreign workers integrate with the local social fabric, providing migrants with help and guidance, and promoting awareness amongst Singaporeans about the problems that migrants face.
E.G. Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs)/ Social Service Organisations
Mercy Relief
Independent disaster relief agency that response to human tragedies and disasters in the Asia Pacific, helping the less fortune and needy regardless of their country.
Club Rainbow
Supporting and empowering children with chronic illnesses and their families by providing compassionate relevant services in their journey towards an enriching life.
Informal Groups
Organisations with specific, short term objective related to issues that suddenly arise
E.G.
Helping Joy
An informal group of volunteers who help to clean and paint the homes of low-income families.
SG Haze Rescue
A community of Singaporeans who come together and share resources to help individuals and families overcome the haze period through voluntary donation of masks from door to door during haze affected periods.
Government has may not be able to meet all the needs of groups in their efforts to work for the good for society.
Efforts by individuals or groups contribute to the development of the Singapore society.
Actions by individuals or groups complement the role of government in providing the support structure, resources and services in specific areas which they may have been lacking . The actions differ due to the nature of contribution to society (e.g. some may be adressing elderly issues, other may be addressing animal or environmental issues)
This builds a greater sense of ownership and commitment towards these causes which leads to long term involvement and ensures sustainable benefits to the society.
INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT DECISIONS
For individuals this involves providing the platform for citizens to voice out their opinions. Citizen feedback will be subsequently incorporated to enhance government's future plans for Singapore.
Feedbacks and suggestions can influence decisions made and plans for Singapore.
E.g. "Our Singapore conversation" (OSC)
OSC was initiated by the government as a citizen engagement exercise that encourages Singaporeans to share what matters to them, their views and ideas, as well as their hopes and dreams.
OSC took place over a year and involved citizens from all walks of life. It took place face-to-face and also through virtual social media platforms.
Feedback obtained from the OSC was incorporated in the government's future plans for Singapore.
This allows citizens to have a stake in Singapore and a say in public affairs and brings Singaporeans together because they can hear one another’s views and opinions to acquire a better understanding of one another, contributing towards the good of society with unity, strengthening their sense of affinity to the country
Organized groups this involves NGOs helping to refine government policies and point to areas which require more attention
e.g. NGO Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2)
TWC2 put forth their recommendations on improving the working conditions of foreign workers, pushing for their rights to a day off work.
Feedback and suggestions from citizens can influence the decisions made for Singapore. Improvements can be made to these plans to better benefit Singaporeans.
Can be given through online platforms
e.g. Facebook posts and outreach or through television media OR Our Singapore Conversation
Feedback given by individuals and organised groups help to provide the government with ideas and perspectives to enhance their policies and programmes for the good of society. Thus, society will benefit from the collective views and efforts of citizens,
STRENGTHENING CITIZENS’ SENSE OF BELONGING
Allow citizens to be involved in sharing/ discussions of Singapore’s future and getting them involved in discussion of views related to the future of SG, developing a stronger sense of belonging.
In fact, the reason the government conducted OSC was to better understand Singaporean's aspirations for the country, and for government to incorporate feedback, enhancing citizen stake in the country.
Encouraging Singaporeans to participate in common practices e.g. celebrating national day
The government can also engage Singaporeans and encourage them to provide feedback through various media channels.
e.g. REACH website (Reaching Everyone for Active Citizenry@Home)
Citizens can also participate in discussing societal issues in a responsible manner on forums or feedback pages found on government websites.
Society will benefit from collective views, perspective and efforts of the citizens and increase their sense of attachment.
When citizens participate by providing feedback, this suggests that they have a connection to Singapore and would like it to improve. When the government engages citizens and considers their feedback, citizens will feel that their voices are heard and that they have a stake in the country. Their sense of ownership and belonging towards Singapore would also increase.
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