Singapore 21

"I say to all Singaporeans : You have to feel passionately about Singapore.  Being Singaporean should resonate in our hearts and minds.  We built this country.  We live, work and raise our children here.  We will fight and, if we must, die to defend our way of life and home.  Here, we will realise our hopes and aspirations.  Here, we will have a bright future.  Let us work together to make our Singapore the best home." by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, at the 1996 National Day Rally.

What is Singapore 21?
Singapore 21 was launched by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in August 1997 to strengthen Singapore's "heartware", and to develop a new vision for Singapore.   Heartware refers to qualities such as social cohesion, political stability and our collective will, values and attitudes as a people.  For more than a year, the Singapore 21 Committee met with more than 6,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life to discuss their concerns and aspirations, and to seek suggestions on building our nation's heartware.  These discussions were organised around five apparent dilemmas Singaporeans will face in the next century.  They are :

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

A Summary of the 5 Key Ideas
The Singapore 21 Committee identified five key ideas which address these dilemmas, and form the vision that is Singapore 21.  These are :

Every Singaporean Matters
  Every Singaporean is unique.  Each one of us has a role to play and a contribution to make.
  We should strive to be the best that we can be, and everyone who does so is worthy of praise.
 Singaporeans in the 21st century must embrace a spirit of constant learning and self-improvement, and dare to make a difference.

Strong Families : Our Foundation And Our Future
  Strong families give meaning to life, and are an irreplaceable source of care and support.
  Within a strong family, our children can grow up healthy and confident, able to meet the future and
  Our elders can also enjoy dignity and respect, and pass down the values and lessons they have learnt in life.

Opportunities For All
  Singapore in the 21st century will be a place where our citizens find promise and
 Talented foreigners are welcomed too because they contribute to Singapore's success.
  Every citizen has the opportunity to develop his potential fully, regardless of his background.

The Singapore Heartbeat : Feeling Passionately About Singapore
  The 21st century Singaporean has a strong sense of belonging and commitment to the country.
  We feel passionately about Singapore because this is where we find our roots and our future.
 Regardless of background, we share a common vision of Singapore as our home, a place worth living, fighting and dying for.

Active Citizens : Making A Difference To Society
  Active citizens participate in building the future they want for Singapore.
  Every citizen plays as important a role as the government and other private organisations in our country's development.
  Active citizenship enhances our passion and commitment to Singapore.  When our efforts bear fruit, we will be rewarded with a sense of achievement and feel even more proud to be Singaporeans.